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Former Baltimore Icon Becomes Major Art Gallery

BALTIMORE (WJZ) -- It was once a corner store but now it's something much different in one Baltimore neighborhood.

Ron Matz has more on the art of Highlandtown.

It was once a pharmacy but now it's the Highlandtown Gallery, where local artists gather and show their works.

"This is a dream come true for me as an artist," said Felicia Zannino-Baker.

It's the dream of Zannino-Baker, who grew up in the neighborhood, now an arts district.

"We feature local artists. We change every two months. We also highlight important iconic people, places and things here in Highlandtown," she said. "We featured the Grand Theater and hand-painted screens which started here. We have artists showing at the gallery who come in and do demonstrations and talks and share what's inside of them with the community."

It's a gallery and cyber cafe. You can check out Debbie Lynn Zweibach's wooden jigsaw puzzles.

"It's nice to have a home because how many artists get that chance?" said Zweibach.

"We are one of the arts districts in Baltimore; Station North is the other. I am one of the galleries in collaboration with many others like the Creative Alliance, who all have the same mission: we're all celebrating local artists," said Zannino-Baker.

Kelly Cahill Ames displays her mosaics here. Her Mr. Boh ornaments and her ring come from Mr. Boh cans.

"This is a dream come true for me as an artist and creative person and as a person who wants to collaborate with other artists," Ames said. "I had a corporate job for 26 years and three years ago, I decided to follow my passion in life."

Zannino-Baker opened her gallery just over a year ago. It's a place local artists now call home.

"I feel like I'm supposed to be here. There's a purpose and reason. Every single week, we have people coming in, saying `I'm so glad you're here,'" she said.

The Highlandtown Gallery will be open Tuesday and Wednesday for last minute holiday shopping. Its regular hours are Thursday, Friday and Saturday, starting at 8 a.m.

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