On this episode we feature Jaz Erenberg, a Baltimore-based public artist, community organizer, and advocate for creative expression and social justice. As a muralist and visual storyteller, Jaz’s work focuses on the intersection of art and activism, with a deep commitment to creating public art that reflects and celebrates the diversity, resilience, and history of the communities she serves. 

Jaz recounts stories of support from her family at a young age that empowered her to draw outside the lines and pursue a career as a working artist. Her experiences led to co-founding Baltimore’s Brush Mural Festival, which aims to connect local artists and residents through collaborative, large-scale mural projects.

Jaz also discusses her role as the Chair of Baltimore’s Public Art Commission. The PAC is a citizen review board charged with administering Baltimore's 1%-for-Public-Art Program, as well as reviewing permanent gifts of public art to the city. As she serves, Jaz guides initiatives that shape the city's artistic landscape while fostering an environment of collaboration and inclusivity.

Cover photo by: Justin Tsucalas

This week we’re joined by Lesley Malin, a founder of The Chesapeake Shakespeare Company and its Producing Executive Director. Under her supervision, CSC has grown into one of the largest theatres in Maryland and the fifteenth largest Shakespeare theater in the U.S.

Lesley discusses equity in the theatre space, including CSC's Black Classical Acting Ensemble, as well as the joys of opening doors to city students for free access to Shakespeare.

Lesley is also the architect behind The Baltimore August Wilson Celebration, which aims to unite Baltimore’s diverse theatre community through Wilson’s ten-play “American Century  Cycle.” Each play in the cycle is set in a different decade of the twentieth century. Together, Wilson’s work offers a vivid narrative of the African-American experience, and, for the first time ever, these plays will be produced in chronological order right here in Baltimore.

Lesley is joined in conversation with BOPA’s Communications Manager, Barbara Hauck. Barbara is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist who has performed Shakespeare (among other things) in and around Baltimore for over 25 years. She was elected the first Artistic Director of the Fells Point Corner Theatre, where she currently still serves on the Board as a Member-at-Large.

Cover photo by: Robin Miller

On this episode of When Creatives Thrive, we’re featuring Camila Leão. Camila is a Baltimore-based multimedia artist working across illustration, murals, public art, and fine art. Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, she grew up between the fast-paced urban energy of the city and the raw, untamed beauty of the coast. And recently, during Project Urban, she was able to bring this duality to life in the form of a mural. Her deep appreciation for nature and her comfort in urban spaces was realized through fun, cartoony, interpretations of both Brazilian and Maryland wildlife.

We also chat about Camila’s fine art featured during Artscape at The Scout Art Fair. Curated by acclaimed artist Derrick Adams with Baltimore Beat arts-and-culture editor Teri Henderson, Scout highlighted more than 40 local artists who convened for a one-of-a-kind showcase of the city’s creative talent. Baltimore Magazine, which recently named Scout as the Best Exhibition of 2025, described the event as “a multidisciplinary mecca that became the festival’s nexus.”

Camila also discusses what it was like to mingle with Artscape attendees while they browsed through Scout’s affordable selection, the confidence she built as she received feedback from locals, and the way Artscape ultimately reminded her of home.

This episode we’re joined by Reginald Lewis, a visual artist born in Baltimore, Maryland, who is known professionally as Insanely Dope Designs. Despite challenges, including a recent car accident, Reggie is guided by the mantra “Dedicated On Purpose Everyday,” i.e. DOPE.

Over the past year, Reggie has been busy creating art that inspires and leaves a lasting impact, starting last summer with the Art at Work program. He co-lead a team of youth who worked together to transform a wall in Sandtown-Winchester. The process started with listening to neighbors for their input and culminated in a mural that depicts the surrounding location and honors its history.

Then, during Artscape, Reggie was on site for a live art activation. And he was also one of over 30 artists that were selected to design and paint murals on the pillars holding up the Jones Falls Expressway through Project urban Oasis. This initiative, introduced by the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture and Entertainment, beautifies the space and makes the new Artscape footprint a sustainable location.

We also discuss Reggie’s newest work, “A Taste of Legacy,” which appeared on memorabilia during CIAA and is now on view at the Reginald F. Lewis Museum.

This episode we’re joined by Deyane Moses. Deyane is an Army veteran, multidisciplinary creative, educator, and curator living in Baltimore. She is also the current Director of Partnerships and Programs for Afro Charities Inc.

Deyane discusses her passion for Black History, archives, and her mission to honor the legacy of Tom Miller (1945-2000). Miller, a MICA grad like Deyane, created colorful, whimsical, and deeply symbolic screenprints, murals, and even sculptures from discarded furniture. Miller was the first African American artist from Baltimore to have a solo exhibition at the Baltimore Museum of Art.

The Fifth Annual Tom Miller Week, which took place February 15–22, 2025, featured an exhibition curated by Deyane through her nonprofit Blackives, LLC. Titled “Out of the Woodwork!” Deyane’s retrospective is a poignant tribute to Miller’s life and creative genius and serves as a call to preserve his enduring impact on Baltimore’s cultural landscape.

Deayne is joined in conversation with BOPA’s Communications Manager, Barbara Hauck. Barbara is a multi-hyphenate theatre artist and was elected the first Artistic Director of the Fells Point Corner Theatre, where she currently still serves on the Board as a Member-at-Large.

Cover photography by: SHAN Wallace

This episode, we’re excited to feature James Lane of The Shaky Experience - a local Baltimore band performing this year on Artscape’s Echoes of the City Stage. The Echoes stage was created to let homegrown, Baltimore talent shine at Artscape in front of their city. It will feature local bands of different genres, DJ sets, musical theater, and more!

James reflects upon his dreams of playing Artscape, the energy of the art scene in Baltimore, and his plans to donate his merch proceeds to charity. He also has some interesting plans to promote his set, so be on the lookout!

We can’t wait to see you Memorial Day Weekend in the heart of downtown Baltimore as we present a reimagined Artscape!

On this episode of When Creatives Thrive we feature De’Shaun Fortune, a Baltimore native and creator of the Mustard Cast, a podcast inspired by the art of storytelling.

De’Shaun is also a graphic designer, and has worked professionally at Wide Angle Youth Media, an organization dedicated to amplifying youth voices in Baltimore, since completing an apprenticeship program there.

With the support of connections made through Wide Angle, De’Shaun is currently in his pursuit of a career in video game design. We go on to talk about the importance of expanding representation in media before De’Shaun pitches me his idea for a video game set in Baltimore titled “This Charming City.”

On this episode of “When Creatives Thrive” we welcome Brittain Duckworth, the leader of Baltimore-based band, Whiskey Feathers. Whiskey Feathers blends rock, Americana, and livetronica influences into a dynamic, immersive sound. The band is currently comprised of Brittain Duckworth on Vocals and Rhythm Guitar, Jenny Fitchett on Vocals and Keys, Luke Chohany on Lead Guitar, Jon Schreoder on Bass Guitar, and EJ Thompson on Drums.

Brittain starts with the origins of the name Whiskey Feathers before explaining his approach to leading a band and creating a collaborative space for music, as well as friendships, to evolve. We also discuss the support the band has received from local radio in the Baltimore area.

We finish by discussing Brittain’s sobriety and the small steps in his personal growth, which he shares about in recent releases like the track “Learning to Crawl.”

Ainsley Burrows is a poet, musician, performer, and painter based in Baltimore. On this episode, we begin with childhood experiences in Jamaica that informed Ainsley’s abstract style and point of view. We discuss his move to Baltimore from New York and why this city was the best next step in his creative journey.

We also reflect upon Ainsley’s 2024 exhibit “The Third Future: A Self-Portrait.”  The show was on display at BOPA’s The Gallery in the Sky at the Top of the World Observation Level last fall and featured host Lisane Basquiat at the opening.

Later Ainsley explains his approach to abstract painting and how the size of the canvas he chooses often shapes the stories he tells. We finish with what Ainsley imagines Baltimore’s “Third Future” could be.

Cover image photo credit: Kelvin Bullock

Amy L. Bernstein is a Baltimore-based author, book coach, and creativity counsellor. She is also a past BOPA grant recipient and participant in Free Fall Baltimore.

Throughout her career, she has worked in playwriting, journalism, speechwriting, and communications. These days, she leads creativity workshops that focus on recognizing each artists’ personal inspiration, as well as identifying and managing blockages like self-doubt.

Bernstein’s most recent publication, “Wrangling the Doubt Monster: Fighting Fears, Finding Inspiration,” builds upon this work. Her book is designed for anyone who has doubts about their abilities, talents, or capability to pursue creative endeavors.

Amy draws from her own experiences in the arts to help guide audiences in both Baltimore and throughout the country to be joyful, take risks, and stay productive - all while embracing doubt and walking with it instead of running from it.