We’re celebrating 20 years of the Highlandtown Arts District! Founded, in 2003, the Highlandtown Arts & Entertainment District has developed a reputation as the city’s most eclectic arts district, filled with public art, painted screens, piñata makers, and parades. In Highlandtown, furniture makers and jewelry makers work alongside coffee roasters and culinary artists.

Here’s a list of some of the Highlandtown Arts & Entertainment District’s accomplishments over the last 20 years.

1998: Southeast CDC buys The Patterson Theater; Creative Alliance starts renovations in 2000

1999: Great Halloween Lantern Parade starts

2003: Highlandtown Arts & Entertainment District founded

2003: Creative Alliance at The Patterson opens

2004-2013: Highlandtown Farmers Market + Art-ket at the Market

2007: Southeast Anchor Library opens at the former Grand Theater site

2009: Highlandtown Train Garden opens

2010: Frank Zappa sculpture installed, a gift from Lithuania and celebrated with two festivals, “Zappa Fest” (2010 & 2011)

2010-2014: Art Cart Derby! Check out the video of the 2011 derby!

2013: Highlandtown Gallery opens

2013: Painted Screens 100 Year Anniversary Celebration includes 200 new painted screens installed in the district

2013: BUS installed, a sculptural bus shelter designed by Spanish design group mmmm…

2013: Highlandtown Arts District’s redesignation application is approved by the Maryland State Arts Council

2014: Sculpture project in Patterson Park

2015: Estamos Aquí sculptural bus shelter installed by artists Kyle Miller & Tim Scofield

2015: Y:ART Gallery founded (now 3402 Art)

2017: Highlandtown First Friday Art Walks begin

2016-2022: Night Owl Gallery gets their start in Highlandtown

2018: Eastern Lights lanterns installed by artists Kyle Miller & Tim Scofield

2019: You Belong/Tu Pertenecer mural installed on four sides of Felco Packaging (artist Mauricio Ramirez)

2019-2022: Creative Alliance constructs the Creativity Center

2021: Art Walks return in person

2021: Sabor de Highlandtown project features Latino food-based business owners

2022: ha! launches our online public art inventory

2022: Dreamers & Make Believers bookshop opens

2022: ha! Strategic Plan 2022-2026 completed

2022: Crown Industrial Park studio tours launch with Katie Pumphrey

2023: Highlandtown Arts District’s redesignation application is approved by the Maryland State Arts Council

Help us fill in our timeline! Send your photos, videos, and details to feature this year to molly@southeastcdc.org.