In Their Own Words: Places to See, Things to Do

Erin Baynham

MICA asked three MICA students about their favorite places in Baltimore and around campus. Here's what they had to say.

Meet the Students

gRACE aLEXANDRA eASSA '21  Fiber B.F.A. 

EMMA TALPEY '21 GFA and MAT B.F.A. 

Declan McKenna '21 Animation 

Where are your favorite places to hang out on campus?

GEMy dorm, the Meyerhoff underground, any place with food.

eTCafe Doris, in the studios and out in Cohen Plaza when it's nice out!

DMGlace Studios, Station Building, and the Lazarus Galleries

 

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Where is your favorite place to make art?

GEMy dorm, looking out a window, or any fibers studio

ETIn a studio with lots of space and natural light or outside....basically anywhere with friends!

DMThe on-campus studio spaces (Glace Studios specifically) as I get to have my own individual/private area, and the comfort that comes along with that, but also get to interact with those sharing the studio. Plus, it’s always fun to have my friends visit and just work together late into the night.

Which MICA class has been your favorite and why? 

GEI loved drawing: contemporary practice with Paul Rouphail! He really made me see drawing in a new light.

ETBody World Machine was so much fun as it challenged me to work with new materials and in new ways that I hadn't previously considered. It also opened the door for my sculpture concentration and job as a studio tech in Mosher!

DMDrawing: Contemporary Practices, as it gave me such an opportunity to grow as an artist, and since I had the majority of the same students in my class as I did in my first semester drawing class, getting to see each student blossom and grow and shift was such a pleasure. I loved the freedom this class brought to me

Where are your favorite places to hang out in Baltimore?

GEThe bun shop, scrap b-more, the Ottobar

ETRed Emma's, Iron Rooster restaurant, Red Thorn tattoo (sorry mom), Rawlings Conservatory, concerts at the 8x10/Rams Head/Baltimore Soundstage and the park on Park.

DMThe Fells Point Area, Druid Hill Park, and Viccino's.

INSTAGRAM

 

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For a first-time visitor to Baltimore, where would you suggest them visit?

GEHampden! It's beautiful and has lots of great places to eat and shop. 

ETCafe Doris, in the studios and out in Cohen Plaza when it's nice out! ABSOLUTELY get breakfast at Iron Rooster and go see the Rawlings Conservatory! 

DMThe top of the UB Law building! I went there during my first week in Baltimore, and you can see the whole city.  It's such an inspiring sight and really gave me the drive to connect to the city.

If you could take your favorite artist to lunch to pick their brain, who would you go with and what would you ask them?

GEI would take Do Ho Suh out and ask him what his decision-making process was for his works in Almost Home.

ETI'd choose Felix Vallotton. I'm not really sure if I have anything specific to ask him other than what made him make what he made and what he thinks of them himself. It's always cool to hear an artist's critique of their own pieces instead of a viewer's or critic's who doesn't understand the process or backstory.

DMI would take Kathe Kollwitz . I've come to know some wonderful figurative artists in my life, and I am always fascinated to learn about why individuals choose to focus on portraiture and the human condition - it's a tender area to work in but I find that each person has such a unique connection to the subject, and I could talk about charcoal for hours!