Artwalk
is a 501-c3 non-profit public art initiative based in Annapolis, Maryland
Artwalk is a community public art project
bringing grand scale art to the walls of exterior buildings, using the city of Annapolis itself as an open air gallery. The purpose of ArtWalk, a 501-3c non-profit, is to add beauty and interest to our historic community. ArtWalk exposes a diverse and broad population of residents and visitors alike to public art outside the normal venues of museums and art galleries.
ArtWalk is Celebrating America’s 250
in Annapolis
In observance of the 250th Semiquincentennial Celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence, ArtWalk embarked on a mission to utilize visual art as a means of celebration and interpretation of Annapolis’s significant role within our country’s larger history.
The State House
Annapolis is the United States’ first peacetime capital. Our historic State House was the backdrop for our early Congress and for the resignation of General George Washington from the Continental Army, signaling the end of the Revolutionary War. The war officially ended weeks later in the same State House with the signing of the Treaty of Paris.
The Maryland Gazette
One of our young nation’s early newspapers, The Maryland Gazette, was printed by Anne Catharine Green, one of the first female publishers of the American Colonies. Green overcame great adversity to continue the periodical after the death of her husband Jonas, and her perseverance helped sustain a free press—one of the cornerstones of our democracy.
The Gazette remains publicly accessible through our treasured Maryland State Archives building.
U.S. Naval Academy
Annapolis is home to the prestigious U.S. Naval Academy, where we recognize historic figures such as John Paul Jones and the role the country’s early naval operations played in the Independence we celebrate today.
ArtWalk is featuring the works of nationally acclaimed artists
Greg Harlin, Sally Wern Comport, and George “Lassie” Belt.
View our current slate of proposed sites below, highlighting our city’s rich landmarks and history
The Annapolis Convention,Watercolor by Greg Harlin
September 1786 held at Mann’s Tavern (original site destroyed by fire in 1919)
With America’s victory in the Revolutionary War, the young nation set in place the Articles of Confederation to serve as the first constitution of the United States, with Maryland as the last state to ratify on March 1, 1781. Not far into the nation’s founding, George Washington and James Madison (shown foreground right) feared the country’s collapse. With the states retaining most of the power and no strong central government, interstate disputes over territory, war pensions, taxation, and trade threatened to tear the country apart and bring about economic collapse. The sparse attendance of this gathering—12 delegates from 5 states—underscores the lack of faith in the central government felt at the time, and inadequacies of the Articles of Confederation as a governing doctrine.
In the moment depicted in this artwork, a frustrated Alexander Hamilton (shown standing near the window with the State House dome near completion in the background) calls for a stronger central government and proposes a bold new plan for Constitutional convention to address it. Madison urges restraint but is seriously considering the idea.
Ultimately, James Madison leaves the Annapolis Convention dedicated to the realization of a Constitutional Convention and earns George Washington’s backing of support. States convened by the following spring, May 1787 and by mid-summer the convention completely redesigns the government.
The convention results in the United States Constitution that remains in place today.
Other delegates shown include St. George Tucker and Edmund Randolph, along with Madison from Virginia (Left to Right foreground), Egbert Benson from New York (back table seated at right) along with Hamilton, and Convention Chairman John Dickinson from Delaware (back table seated left).
Interpretation Sources: National Archives, George Washington’s Mount Vernon, National Constitution Center, statement from the Artist
ArtWalk 250 is supported in partnership with the following entities
Maryland State Arts Council
Arts Council of Anne Arundel County
Smartlink
Admiral’s Cup Annapolis, Atlas Restaurant Group
Annapolis Art in Public Places Commission
Annapolis 250 Commission
RBC Wealth Management
Chesapeake Crossroads Heritage Area
The City of Annapolis
The Walsh Family
Art at Large, Inc.
WRH Illustration
The Annapolis Collection Gallery
Projects
ArtWalk I
The first exhibition of ArtWalk highlights the 300th anniversary of the signing of the Charter of the City of Annapolis to gain independence for its governing body. Artwork and sites were chosen specifically to honor the communities and residents within the city who have contributed to its rich history.
Crosswalks
In collaboration with professional and student artists from Annapolis, ArtWalk worked with the office of Public Works to embark on a city-wide Tactical Urbanism initiative. The endeavor utilizes public art as a means for making pedestrian crosswalks safer, and spawning economic growth by visually connecting the Arts District to promote foot traffic.
ArtWalk II
Inspired by the Stanton Center community artists in ArtWalk’s First Exhibition, ArtWalk II continues its mission to spotlight the talent and pride of artists within diverse community organizations through public art.
Tree of Life
Incorporating the work of 62 artists from all walks of life, The Tree of Life spans six stories of the Brightview West End facade in the cultural hub of Rockville Town Center. ArtWalk worked with Art at Large, Inc., Hord Coplan Macht, the Shelter Group, VisArts, and the City of Rockville to produce this landmark piece of public art.