Lighting up the night

TU returns to Baltimore as a Light City sponsor

By Megan Bradshaw on April 13, 2018

The "Making Waves" exhibit during the inaugural Light City festival
The "Making Waves" exhibit during the inaugural Light City festival

Light City,  a free festival of light, music and innovation, returns for its third year starting Friday, April 13. 

It is the first large-scale, international light festival in the United States. Homegrown in Baltimore and made possible in part through the efforts of an interdisciplinary team from Towson University, the event generates free exchanges of ideas and knowledge during the day and lights, performances and music to transform the city at night. 

For the third year, TU joins fellow University System of Maryland (USM) institutions in sponsoring events throughout the week. 

SPARK II presented by PNC Opening Reception 
Friday, April 13, 6–8 p.m.  
Harborplace Pavilion – 1st floor 

 A collaboration between TU and UMBC, the SPARK Gallery will feature a variety of light-based work. The opening reception will feature remarks by PNC Regional President Laura Gamble, TU President Kim Schatzel, and UMBC President Freeman Hrabowski.  

Organized by Jenee Mateer, chair of the TU Department of Art + Design; Preminda Jacob, chair of the UMBC Art History and Museum Studies; and Ginevra Shay, an independent curator. SPARK II will be on display during the festival and featured for the first time as a stop on the BGE Light Art Walk.  

TU artists featured 
Kyohei Abe  
Amanda Burnham  
Phil Davis  
Liz Donadio and Shannon Collis  
Jenn Figg and Mathew McCormack  
Carrie Fucile  
fourhead  
Jenee Mateer 
Ryan Schmal Murray  
Nahid Tootoonchi 
Lynn Tomlinson 

Opening Night Parade at Light City 
Saturday, April 14 | 8 p.m. 
The Science Center 

Starting with opening remarks at 7:45 pm, the parade will march rain or shine. 

It will include TU students from the SGA and feature Fireflies, 27 handcrafted pedicabs by artist Cai Guo Chiang, commissioned light-art works, stilt walkers, dancers, neighborhood groups and community artists. 

SPARK II Gallery 
Sunday, April 15 | 5 p.m. 

Mountain Peaks Band—normally a four-piece band—will be performing as a duo featuring Phil Davis (TU  Department of Art + Design) and Ryan Murray (TU  Department of Electronic Media & Film). 

EduLab@Light City presented by University System of Maryland 
Wednesday, April 18 | 8 a.m.  
The IMET Columbus Center, 700 E. Pratt St., Pier 5, Inner Harbor 

President Kim Schatzel’s remarks will officially open the EduLab component of Light City. 

Each day emerging voices and established thinkers explore the innovations and practices that build stronger, more equitable cities. Each lab explores the future of society, and every attendee will have the opportunity to learn, network and be heard. 

To reserve seats for Labs@Light City 

SPARK II Gallery 
Wednesday, April 18 | 7 p.m. 

Michelle Humphreys (TU Department of Music) will direct the Towson University Percussion Ensemble in an improvisation on kinetic light drums created by Jenn Figg and Matthew McCormack from (TU Department of Art + Design).  

8 p.m. Sweaty Eyeballs Baltimore Animation Showcase  

An eclectic mix of animated short films created by Baltimore area artists and students. The screening ranges from absurd comedy to experimental exploration, all with an emphasis on the beauty of movement and storytelling unique to animated forms. The screening includes stop motion, hand drawn, 3D CGI, and hybrid approaches to animated filmmaking. Curated by Phil Davis (TU) and Max Porter (Maryland Institute College of Art). 

HealthLab@Light City presented by Kaiser Permanente and Towson University 
Thursday, April 19, 1–5 p.m.  

Explore the health of our society with noted innovators and on-the-ground practitioners whose work and innovative practices have the potential to affect the quality of life and health for people in Baltimore and around the globe. 

TU’s  College of Health Professions will have a table on site to promote the college and all that it offers.  

SPARK II Gallery 
Thursday, April 19 (encore) | 8 p.m. 

Sweaty Eyeballs Baltimore Animation Showcase  

An eclectic mix of animated short films created by Baltimore-area artists and students. The screening ranges from absurd comedy to experimental exploration, all with an emphasis on the beauty of movement and storytelling unique to animated forms. The screening includes stop-motion, hand-drawn, 3D CGI, and hybrid approaches to animated filmmaking. Curated by Phil Davis (TU) and Max Porter (Maryland Institute College of Art). 

SPARK II Gallery 
Friday, April 20, 5:30–7 p.m. 

A TU & UMBC Alumni event where Carley and Corey (TU Department of Dance) will perform. 

SPARK II Gallery 
Saturday, April 21, TBD 
Illuminated Pods Workshop  

Stacey Arnold, TU Community Arts Center coordinator, will show children and parents how to build wearable light pods. She will be assisted by TU student interns.