Latest news with #MotorHouse
CBS News
3 days ago
- Automotive
- CBS News
Baltimore celebrates 10 years of Motor House, a beloved creative hub
Baltimore Arts Realty Corporation (BARC) is celebrating 10 years of one of the city's most beloved creative hubs, Motor House. The two-day event spotlights emerging designers, local artists and creativity. This celebration comes almost two months after a car crashed through its building, causing the creative hub to close for a few days. Organizers told WJZ that overcoming the obstacle is what makes this anniversary event more special. "The Motor House has been able to really get our community to rally around," said Jessica Smith, managing director of Motor House. "What are the possibilities of what this space can be— and in 10 years, this is the time when you start to reimagine what else do we want to add." "So actually, sometimes an interesting situation can actually be something that helps bring everybody together," she added. "That was our number one priority, was not getting the doors back open, because we don't have a door anymore, but you know, making sure that we were open and ready for business for you," said Toni Martin, the program director for BARC. During the event, artists showcased their work through runway shows, hands-on workshops, artist-led lectures, and community programming, highlighting Baltimore's bold creative spirit. On Saturday, the celebration continued with an upcycling workshop led by sustainable fashion designers, wearable artists and makers who shared hands-on techniques and creative guidance. Featured creatives included Caprece Ann Jackson, a sustainable fashion curator and ambassador, and Evette Monique, a rising designer who has shown at Milan and London fashion weeks. Upcoming events to celebrate Motor House's 10-year anniversary include a VIP reception on October 9, a public celebration on October 10, and a culminating event on November 1, featuring a screening of the full short documentary in the Black Box Theatre at Motor House. The multidisciplinary arts hub in the heart of the Station North Arts and Entertainment District has been a cornerstone of Baltimore's creative community since BARC founded it in 2015. Find tickets for Fashion Meets Art Weekend events or learn more about the 10-year anniversary celebration here.
CBS News
01-07-2025
- CBS News
Stolen car drives into popular Baltimore arts venue, forcing temporary closure
A Baltimore arts community staple is still cleaning up the mess caused by a stolen car that rammed through its front doors on Sunday, June 29. The incident has forced Motor House to be closed for the time being, just as it was preparing for its 10th anniversary. But the team there shared with WJZ that the closure won't be as long as originally thought. The venue will reopen on Wednesday. They're also asking for the community's help to recover from the destruction. What the police said Baltimore Police confirmed the car that crashed into Motor House was stolen. Around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, police found a 49-year-old carjacking victim in the 1400 block of Eutaw Place. They learned the victim was carjacked by four men, who were armed, around the corner on Madison Avenue. By 11:20 a.m., police found the victim's car while it was on the 100 block of West North Avenue. When officers tried to initiate a traffic stop, the car crashed into Motor House. The 19-year-old driver was taken to a hospital before he was charged with auto theft and multiple counts of destruction of property. Cleaning up the mess On Tuesday, you can still see where the car jumped the curb and where it ended up. A big piece of plywood is in place where the Motor House's entrance was, and a pile of debris is beside it. Tori Martin, the interim director of Motor House, and Leon Pinkett, the executive director and CEO of Baltimore Arts Realty Corp (BARCO), both heard about the crash shortly after it happened. "Another Motor House staff member called me and said, 'Hey, have you looked at your phone recently? Well, there's a car in the lobby, you should probably check it out,'" Martin said. Out of caution, city inspectors condemned the building, which in turn forced a temporary closure. That closure meant all the events and programs scheduled over the next few days were postponed. The silver lining, though, is that no one was hurt. "We can replace buildings. We can't replace people. We're just thankful no one was hurt," Pinkett said. "Someone could have easily been in the lobby area, or by the door." Initially, Martin and Pinkett thought the closure could've been long because of the potential structural damage. However, Martin said a structural engineer gave them the green light and now the venue will be reopening at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. Martin adds the team plans to incorporate the incident into its ten-year celebrations as a way to show the venue's resilience. Megan Lewis, one of Motor House's resident artists, will also be putting a mural on the plywood currently up on the building. "I don't think I would be the artist that I am without Motor House. Period," Lewis said. "I'm honored, and it's my job to temporarily put something up to just help it visually look better. Art definitely has the power to do so." Rallying support Motor House is currently taking in donations to help cover staff's missed work hours, as well as cover some repair costs. If you're interested in helping, you can do so here.
