Tag: Art Gallery

The Power of Art: How We Saved the Creative Collective Art Gallery

I initially came as a vendor for Doc’s Castle Media to participate in a pop-up shop. Little did I know that my adventure would transform into an act of activism to save a beloved community space for Myrrh Made Queen and numerous artists in Baltimore.

The Creative Collective Art Gallery was on the brink of closing when I saw a Facebook post by Myrrh. She was offering a pop-up show space to any artist willing to participate in a protest to save the gallery. For the past year, the gallery had been a vibrant hub for artisans in the city, showcasing their creative talents and handmade crafts.

Creative Collective

The Creative Collective Art Gallery is the home and artistic haven of the Creative Collective Commyrrhnity, founded by Myrrh Made Queen in 2024 as an artist collective in Baltimore specializing in crafts such as body art, face painting, and canvas and mural artistry. The gallery provides a vibrant platform for artisans from all over the city to collaborate and showcase their talents alongside Myrrh Made Queen’s brand. 

The Creative Collective has become home to a plethora of canvas art events in the emergence of Sips and Paints, sparking excitement within the creative community. Events such as Sip and Paints, lively Karaoke and Paints, and even the energetic Twerk and Paint sessions are a testament to the lively and inclusive atmosphere the space fosters, which has kept the gallery full of life.

Myrrh Made Queen

MyrrhMade, pronounced like mermaid, is a freelance artist and owner of MyrrhMadeArt LLC. 

She specializes in a diverse range of painting techniques, from body and face paint to canvas art and murals. MyrrhMade isn’t just an artist—she’s an inspiration. Hosting a series of art events that champion self-love and liberation, her creations are designed to heal and uplift.

I love to dive into the lives of my fellow artists through social media, and Myrrh Made Queen stands out as one of the most genuine and raw talents you’ll encounter. If you’ve ever watched her Instagram stories, you’ll know she shares her authentic self daily, offering followers a glimpse into the life of an artist in Baltimore City. She doesn’t just create art—she lives it, embodying the essence of a true MyrrhMade.

What I admire about Myrrh is her uniqueness and resilience. She has built a dedicated following despite the challenges she’s faced. Her journey hasn’t always been smooth, but she exemplifies tenacity and the power of carving out your own path. As we watch her continue her journey, she inspires us all with her story of survival and success as a full-time freelance artist.

Saving The Creative Collective

When I walked into the Creative Collective, Myrrh shared her grievances about losing the gallery due to her business partner’s decision not to continue renting the space together. The landlord was unwilling to renew the lease without both partners’ signatures and planned an open house on President’s Day for potential tenants to tour the building.

In response, Myrrh transformed her impromptu pop-up shop into an act of activism to save her gallery. The creatives hoped that prospective tenants would be more interested in the art rather than renting the gallery. The idea was that if the landlord saw how the space brought life and vibrancy to the community, he might reconsider and lease the gallery solely to MyrrhMade.

When the prospective clients arrived that day, their curiosity turned towards the artists’ activities. They visited artist tables, inquired about creative works, and showed a genuine interest in the art rather than the lease. The open house ran for an hour before the landlord made an offer to Myrrh to lease the space for the rest of the month of February and March in the Charles Village community. The protest was a resounding success for MyrrhMade Queen.

Being part of the activism to save the gallery felt incredible. My son got to transform into his favorite Marvel character, Spider-man, and watch his mommy in action at work. Plus, I had the opportunity to sell some Doc’s Castle Art!

If you are an artist looking for a venue to host your event, the Creative Collective offers a welcoming space for the month of March. Just reach out to MyrrhMade Queen for inquiries.

Have you watched Last Call: Ex-Factor? Read Exploring Last Call: The Trivia Show That Unites Friends on Doc’s Castle Media.

*Article was reedited and republished March 4, 2025.

2nd Annual Light City Baltimore Event Ends In Success (Doc’s Castle Picture Gallery)

Baltimore’s annual week-long art festival that incorporates a mixture of lights and sculptures ended this past Saturday with a success bringing out more participation from businesses and festival-goers throughout the city.

The event was held starting at the peak of evening hours and ending just in time for bedtime; between the hours of 7p to 10p. For nine nights, visitors enjoyed parades, tasty cuisines, entertainment, and beautiful sightseeing in the heart of Baltimore’s Inner Harbor.

According to an article found on Baltimore’s news station website WJZ, “Estimates show that roughly 470,000 people attended the 2017 Baltimore Light City festival during its nine-night run. That’s a 17 percent increase from the previous year.”

The festival brought lots of revenue for the hotels and businesses in the downtown area. Businesses, like Hotel Monaco, even partnered up with Light City organizers with intentions to attract Light City attendees. Shahram Khan, general manager of Hotel Monaco says they provided hotel deals, and in return, it was a win for the hotel.

Each glowy night was a spectacular experience for art lovers and foodies. Simply through walking the Inner Harbor’s square, visitors were able to experience the exhibits lined up just a few steps from each other.

For those who were unable to visit the light exhibits in the downtown Inner Harbor, Doc’s Castle Media captures the moment for you. View the opening night of Light City Baltimore below.

Dates for next year’s Light City Baltimore will be discussed later this week. To keep up with Light City Baltimore updates, subscribe to www.lightcity.org or follow them on Instagram at @LightCityBmore.

Did you attend Light City Baltimore? Tell us your favorite attraction in the comments below.