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Best Upcoming Art Festivals In Baltimore

By Pam Smith

"Art for art's sake" would not be as much fun if not shared with others.  A variety of artists will once again descend upon Baltimore throughout the spring and summer to share their unique works.  Prepare yourself for music, films, demonstrations, food, and above all, art.

Sugarloaf Craft Festival
Maryland State Fairgrounds
2200 York Road
Timonium, Md. 21093
(301) 990-1400
www.sugarloafcrafts.com

Jewelry
(credit: Thinkstock)

Dates: April 27 to April 29, 2012
Price: $7, Children under 12 and parking are free.
Hours: Fri to Sat - 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., Sun - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Established and new craftsmen, both local and national, showcase their jewelry, fashion, gourmet food and photography at the Sugarloaf Craft Festival. Along with demonstrations, live music will be performed by Stan and Leeanne, pianist Ngu Mbandi and guitarist Ed Wright.  Middle Earth Studio will also provide children's entertainment in the form of costume storytelling. Save $1 off admission by bringing along this coupon.

14th Annual Maryland Film Festival
The Charles Theater
1711 North Charles St.
Baltimore, Md. 21201
(410) 727-3456
www.md-filmfest.com

Maryland Film Festival
(credit: md-filmfest.org)

Dates: May 3 to May 6, 2012
See prices

The Charles Theater hosts the annual, four-day event with a variety of films, both full length as well as short films, allowing for diverse works to be shown to a substantial audience. Some will even be presented by the filmmakers themselves. In addition to the narratives, documentaries and animated films, the festival will feature 3-D, international and silent film selections.  Baltimore's own John Waters, director of the 1988 version of "Hairspray," will personally choose a feature film to be shown.

The Annual Student Media Arts Festival, Screening and Awards
Towson University, Van Bokkelen Hall Auditorium
8000 York Road
Towson, Md. 21252
(410) 704-2787
www.towson.edu

Student Filmmaker
(credit: Thinkstock)

Date: May 12, 2012
Price: Free admission to the public and handicapped accessible
Hours: Reception at 5:30 p.m. to 6:45 p.m., Screenings and awards at 7 p.m.

The future filmmakers of America need your support. Towson University's film students have been diligently working on their film projects within a multitude of categories including, but not limited to, narrative, documentary, experimental and music. There would be no greater reward for these students than to see an auditorium filled with eager viewers (except, of course, to hear the audience cheer and applaud the winners as they receive their awards.)

Related: Best Camera Stores In Baltimore

31st Annual Artscape
Bolton Hill and Station North including the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall, the Lyric Opera House, and the Charles Theater
140 West Mount Royal Ave.
Baltimore, Md. 21201
(410) 752-8632
www.artscape.org

Artscape Marching Band
(credit: artscape.org)

Dates: July 20 to July 22, 2012
Price: Free admission to the public and handicapped accessible
Hours: Fri to Sat - 11 a.m. to 9 p.m., Sun - 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

A plethora of artists and musicians gather in the "heART" of the city at the 31st Annual Artscape this year. Sculpture, galleries, jewelry and other art will be shown and sold from tents and short films are shown at the Charles Theater. Musicians perform from outdoor stages and the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra opens the Meyerhoff Symphony Hall for attendees. But if anything is worth seeing, it is the art car parade in which normal vehicles are decorated and transformed into rolling, operable works of art.

Related: Guide to 2011 Artscape

4th Annual Inner Harbor Art Festival
Inner Harbor and Power Plant
601 East Pratt St.
Baltimore, Md. 21202
(561) 746-6615
www.artfestival.com

Inner Harbor Art Festival
(credit: artfestival.com)

Dates: Aug. 18 to Aug. 19, 2012
Price: Free admission to the public
Hours: Sat - 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Sun - 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Handmade art sold in tents allows you to stroll along Baltimore's Inner Harbor and Power Plant area.  Whether you are looking for a painting or photograph to hang on the wall, sculpture for an interesting conversation piece, glassware for the kitchen, or jewelry your friends will adore, this art festival will deliver much and more.  Afterward, grab a bite to eat at the many nearby restaurants which, like the festival, is guaranteed to have something suited to your taste.

17th Annual Baltimore Book Festival
Mount Vernon Place
600 Block of North Charles St.
(410) 752-8632
www.baltimorebookfestival.com

Baltimore Book Festival
(credit: baltimorebookfestival.com)

Dates: Sept. 28 to Sept. 30, 2012
Price: Free admission to the public and handicapped accessible
Hours: Friday to Sat - Noon to 8 p.m., Sun - Noon to 7 p.m.

Barnes & Noble provides immense works of literature for this festival for book lovers.  Whatever your preference, fiction, non-fiction, mystery, sci-fi, romance, poetry, cookbooks and many others will be sold. Go for a walking tour or salivate over cooking demonstrations. Grab a glass of beer or wine and dance to live music. Most important of all, check back to see which famous authors will make an appearance and sign their works.

Related: Theater Spotlight: Q&A With Melissa O'Brien

Pam Smith graduated from Penn State with a B.A. in English and a passion for writing. Her adaptive nature led her to work in the scientific, energy supply, and business industries while writing on a multitude of topics for various online media. Pam currently resides in Baltimore County. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.


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