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.