ART - From the Desk of Rick Santiago

Asia North 2026 – Station North Arts – towson.edu/asianorth

AAPI – May is Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Why May? “May is celebrated as Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month to commemorate the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the Transcontinental Railroad on May 10, 1869, which was largely built by Chinese immigrants. It recognizes the contributions of AAPI communities to US history and culture.” NPR more about AAPI – AANHPI

May 1, 2026 – Opening Exhibition – Shoes at the Door

Super performance by B’more Taiko

One reason I attended this opening was that I happened across my name and work mentioned during another Station North Arts walk, which was a pleasant surprise considering my work was at the Mount Royal Tavern. Also, spoke briefly with someone during Out of Order 2026, she said that it would be nice to see Station North Asia May Opening, I said OK! Plus, Station North Arts really does a nice job staying front and center using FB and Instagram. If you want to see the entire program, albeit, a little late use this link to Towson University it will give days, times and places of all events during May and future events. The main staging area for the opening was at the SNF Parkway Theatre which has also hosted the Maryland Film Festival.

Photo from 2016 at the start of renovations to the Parkway Theatre – Rick Santiago

Venues

SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 W. North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201 ✔
Currency Studio, 18 W. North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21218 😒
Gallery CA, 440 E. Oliver St, Baltimore, MD 21202 😒
Motor House, 120 W. North Ave, 21201 😒
1718 N. Charles Street Garage, Baltimore, MD 21201 😒
Impact Hub, 10 E. North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201 😒
Club Car, 12 W. North Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21201 😒
Mobtown Ballroom, 30 W. North Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21201 😒
Baltimore Improv Group, 1727 N. Charles St, Baltimore, MD 21201 😒

✔ Attended 😒 Missed – As you can see I didn’t make to very many places during the opening of Asia North 2026. However, I did get a chance to see all of the scheduled performances at the Parkway Theatre stage, culminating with B’more Taiko drum performance. But sorely disappointed at my decision to skip the After Party at the Club Car, which is really the one I wanted to check out. Next time!!!

Mom's Frig by Anna Divinagarcia — Mom’s Ref by Anna Divinagarcia – This sums it all up for me, 100% spot on!

After going through my photos of this event, I think I’m going to need to take another visit. A pitiful few images are worth posting. I’ll add more after my visit sometime before end of May!!! Here are a handful, my apologies

Labors of Love Gallery 1 at the Parkway Theatre

Can’t really comment on much since I missed 85% of the program. I will say for Asia North 2026, the beers that were available were from Peabody Heights Brewery (which I love) but c’mon, I saw my dad come home with a cases of San Miguel Beer (Filipino pale lager first brewed in 1890 in Manila), I have personally consumed Chang, Kirin, Sapporo, Singha, Hite as well as other Asian beers, maybe try’m next time?

Rick Santiago on Instagram and Feel free to message me at 443-390-6599

Weather was perfect for a night out supporting the local community and people watching but never ever ask an artist what they do for a living, some answers would be too complex without additional time. 🙂

My first year doing Out of Order at Maryland Art Place (Inner Harbor) was 2004, that generation of artist really made an effort to top one another in a very friendly but competitive way, no one ever wanted to be the low artist on the totem pole, no one wanted to be accused of exhibiting “junk” at a salon type show. At that time hanging a piece for Out of Order required an entry fee of $10, in return; free entrance to the event, catered food and always lots to drink. For those artists desiring to bring a friend, you could purchase a MAP membership and receive a free ticket to Out of Order! For a $30 membership plus a $10 hanging fee you could impress your non-artist date with great eats, unlimited drink and bottomless conversations with artists! I believe it changed to a “free” event starting 2011-ish with no entry fee. Sadly, I saw the art fall off a bit and when MAP moved to it’s current location on Saratoga St, the art work had been on a steady decline, IDK why. It might be time, and I see no reason why Maryland Art Place would not charge an entry fee of $10. I spoke to several artist during the evening and no one said an entry fee would stop them from participating in the future. It’s a benefit for an organization doing good things for the local community.

That said, the 2026 version of Out of Order was an improvement over recent years. To me, the art on walls seemed to be more evenly balanced. Also noticed, there were many more smaller “sculptures” than normal, pedestals were all over the place. A big surprise were pizza boxes from HomeSlyce Pizza! It was a free-for-all grab-a-slice swarm. They went quickly but I spotted another round of pizza delivered a bit later. As usual, the upstairs provided beer, wine, non alcoholic drinks as well as water. You could have a smoke outside, but MAP needs to put an ash bucket or something to catch all the butts. Crowds were very good throughout the evening. Haven’t heard yet about sales. For those that don’t know, it’s an online and live auction. I miss the old days when you could scratch down your bid with a pencil and keep an eye on it to see if you’ve been outbid but unfortunately collecting the funds after the auction became an issue, but it was fun while it lasted (20+ years). The Basement is where you want to relax and get away, seating, tables and a real bar. All in all a fun evening, will probably do it again. Enjoy the photos…