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Capturing a Complicated Legacy
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| Shuttered exhibition sign displayed outside the BMI's Temporary Gallery space. |
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What do you do
, award-winning photojournalist J.M. Giordano asks, when the only lifestyle you've ever known--an industrial lifestyle passed down by family, friends, and coworkers for generations--becomes obsolete? On May 9th, the BMI's new temporary exhibition, Shuttered: Images from the Fall of Bethlehem Steel, will challenge BMI visitors to explore this question.
For 125 years, the Bethlehem Steel mill at Sparrows Point provided steady if dangerous work for tens of thousands of men and women. Steelmaking was more than just a job to these workers--it was a way of life that built stable communities, strong human bonds, and a unique industrial landscape. When the mill fell into bankruptcy and finally shuttered operations in 2012, it displaced thousands of workers, and many lost the pensions, healthcare, and benefits they had been promised. With the shuttering of the Point's blast furnaces, the world inhabited by local steelworkers took a number of hits, and the effects continue to reverberate today.
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Shuttered exhibit installation at the BMI. |
"After decades of working in the mills, these people had the carpet pulled out from under them," says
J.M. Giordano, a Dundalk native and award-winning
photojournalist.
The grandson of a steel worker, Giordano has dedicated over 15 years to capturing portraits of retired steelworkers as a reporter for the Dundalk Eagle to shed light on the impact of the mill's decline and closure on his hometown of Baltimore. First the first time, Giordano's captivating, original photos will be featured in an exhibition. Shuttered is comprised of four areas--the mill, workers, the union, and the community.
Starting this summer, Giordano and the BMI will team up to host a series of public programs ranging from an industrial photography workshop on June 9 to a twitter chat discussing his artistic process on August 14.
Be sure to visit
Shuttered: Images from the Fall of Bethlehem Steel
when it opens to the public on May 9. It will be open through April 2020.
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You won't want to miss this new exhibition!
The Shuttered exhibition invites you to explore how the broken promises and demise of Bethlehem Steel impacted the Baltimore Community. Open through April 2020.
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"Workin' It" Returns to the BMI
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| A Workin' It presenter at the BMI's 2018 storytelling event. |
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Come hear the true, personal tales of
a retired chief investigator for political corruption, the creator of the popular Baltimore rat sticker, a retired Bethlehem Steel worker, and a
marketing maven who is best known as the voice of Mr. Trash Wheel.
It's sure to be another unforgettable evening of storytelling by locals, for locals when Workin' It: Stories About Making a Living In Baltimore returns on Thursday, May 16. The Stoop Storytelling Series-a Baltimore--based live show series spotlighting "ordinary" people telling extraordinary, true tales of their lives--first partnered with the BMI last May to debut "Workin' It" to a sold out audience of about 250 attendees. There's only one rule for the presenters: no notes or memorized stories allowed.
During
Workin' It
, seven storytellers share
true, personal tales about what they do to "get paid"--everything from hard labor to passion projects to side hustles.
The evening will include live music by the Ellicott City-based string band
Geraldine
, food and drinks for sale, museum gallery exploration, and free on-site parking.
Presented by the BMI, Stoop Storytelling Series, and CityLab, Workin' It will run from 7pm-10pm with the
storytelling beginning at 8pm.
Seating is limited! Tickets are $25 non-members | $20 members at
bit.ly/BMIstoop
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Get your tickets before they sell out!
Join us for live music and new stories about working in Charm City during Workin' It on May 16 from 7pm-10pm with! For adults 21+.
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Community Day Kicks off 11th Season of Farmers' Market
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Tuckey's Fruit & Vegatable Farm table set up at the BMI Farmers' Market.
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On May 18, we will kick off the return of our Farmers' Market with a day of fun, free activities inside and out at the museum. BMI Community Day visitors will enjoy live music, free museum admission starting at 10am, kid-friendly activities, an author talk, a community yoga class, and exploration of the new
temporary exhibition, SHUTTERED: Images from the Fall of Bethlehem Steel.
Many beloved vendors--such as
Wicked Good Sweets and Tuckey's Fruit & Vegetable Farm--will return to provide locals with a diverse array of produce, crafts, and goods. This year, we are thrilled to welcome Bmore Flea to our Saturday market and their vendors of hand-crafted goods, vintage, antiques, and more.
From 11am-12:30pm, visitors will have the opportunity to attend an author talk with Dr. Justin Nordstrom and hear about his book, Aunt Sammy's Radio Recipes.
"The lecture promises to be really interesting," says Auni Gelles, Community Programs Manager at the BMI. "His book relates to both our Communications and Food Processing Galleries as it discusses how the USDA used the medium of radio to reach Americans, specifically women, on food matters."
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Locals enjoying a yoga class during last year's market.
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The 11th season of the BMI Farmers' Market will offer an ongoing series of free community yoga classes held on the third Saturday of the month between May and August. Held from 9am-10am, the classes are open to all levels for yogis 8 years old and up. Participants must bring their own mats and water bottles.
The BMI Farmers' Market will take place every Saturday from 9AM-1PM, except during the Baltimore Running Festival on October 19th. This year's market season is made possible, in part, thanks to our Season Sponsor, LifeBridge Health.
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Farmers Market Season has arrived!
Join us as we kick off the 11th season of the BMI Farmers Market with a full day of happenings on Sat, May 18 starting at 9AM!
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Upcoming Programs at the BMI
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BMI Community Day
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We're kicking off the 11th season of the BMI Farmers Market with a full day of happenings and FREE museum admission starting at 10am! Enjoy kid-friendly activities, a yoga class, an author talk--as well as local produce, vintage goods, and more during the market from 9am-1pm. Enjoy free onsite parking!
WHEN
Sat, May 18 | 9 AM - 4 PM
COST
FREE
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Workin' It: Stories about Making a Living In Baltimore
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Workin' It returns May 16! Join the Stoop Storytelling Series and the BMI for an evening of live music and true, personal tales exploring the past, present, and future of work in our city.
WHEN Thurs, May 16 | 7 PM - 10 PM
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Wee Workers
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Preschoolers will love this program just for them. Explore the museum's galleries through stories, songs, crafts, and pint-size tours with a weekly theme.
WHEN Tuesdays | 10:30 AM-11:30 AM
COST Kids: Free; Adults: $5; BMI Members: Free. Advance registration suggested, contact kedelmann@thebmi.org or 410.727.4808 x132
UPCOMING THEMES
MAY 7:
Mother's Day |
MAY 14: Tools
MAY 21: Umbrellas |
MAY 28: Chesapeake Bay
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Weekend Workers
| It's all about fun as you discover how things work. These engaging activities allow children of all ages to investigate the world around them.
WHEN Saturdays | 11 AM-2 PM unless noted
COST Free with museum admission
UPCOMING THEMES
MAY 4
: Basket Weaving |
MAY
11: Making Sand Art
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18
: Create Your Own Bubble Wand (10am-1pm)
MAY 25: Learn the Art of Storytelling
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