For Immediate Release

“Courting Art Baltimore” Strengthens Relationship between Courts and the Community

(BALTIMORE – May 16, 2016) Courting Art Baltimore will celebrate its first annual art contest at a reception at 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 17, 2016, at the Eastside District Court Building, 1400 North Avenue, Baltimore.  Courting Art Baltimore is a new program that promotes youth artwork, connects the legal community with local Baltimore communities, and strives to reduce stress and anxiety for litigants and visitors by beautifying local courthouses.  During the reception, students will gather with families and friends to see their artwork unveiled on the courthouse walls, and the top prize winners will be announced.  The media are invited to attend.

Courting Art Baltimore, led by the Baltimore Bar Foundation, Inc., and the Bar Association of Baltimore City, is modeled upon an award-winning program created by the Montgomery Bar Association in Pennsylvania that focuses on artwork by local senior citizens.  “I know about the program in Pennsylvania and thought we should try something here with a focus on our younger citizens,” said Baltimore City District Judge Halee F. Weinstein.  “It is a great way to connect with students in our communities, interact with them in a positive way, provide a showplace for some terrific artwork, and help beautify our courthouse.”

For its first art contest, Courting Art Baltimore chose the theme “We Are Baltimore” and invited local students to submit paintings, drawings, or other two-dimensional works of art.  The three top prizes are scholarships for art programs or post-high school degrees.  Other prizes include gift certificates for art supplies.  The artwork has been professionally reproduced for long-term display at the Baltimore City Eastside District Courthouse.

“In its long history, the Bar Association of Baltimore City has rarely been more excited by a project,” said Robert D. Anbinder, president of the Bar Association of Baltimore City.  “The ‘Courting Art Baltimore’ program not only helps us expand our mission of maintaining the honor and dignity of the legal profession deep into schools and neighborhoods, it is making an even more important and immediate impact by changing for the better the lives of a great many young artists.”  The Bar Association of Baltimore City and Baltimore Bar Foundation’s partners in the Courting Art Baltimore are the Baltimore City Community College, Baltimore City Public Schools, and the District Court of Maryland, Baltimore City.

The Courting Art Baltimore reception will be held in the Eastside District Court Building’s main lobby.  Light refreshments will be served and music will be performed by the Frederick Douglass High School Jazz Ensemble.

WHAT:
Courting Art Baltimore reception for participants in the “We are Baltimore” art contest.

WHEN:
Tuesday, May 17, 2016
6:30 p.m.

WHERE:
District Court of Maryland, Baltimore City
Eastside District Court Building
1400 E. North Avenue
Baltimore, MD 21213

MEDIA CONTACT:
Please call the Office of Communications and Public Affairs, 410-260-1488, if you would like to attend or have questions. Cameras will be permitted during the reception.

PHOTOS FROM THE MAY 17, 2016 CONTEST:

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