As an anchor institution in Baltimore, MICA supports the city’s creative ecosystem through traditional approaches and by empowering entrepreneurial practices, widened by increasing connectivity with non-arts sectors. We take pride in our role as a catalyst and innovative partner with others in our community to ignite creative energy.

From Friday, September 22 to Sunday, September 24, MICA will throw open its doors for a campus-wide event celebrating the many ways artists and designers are advancing arts, culture, and the economy in Baltimore and well beyond. Called MICA Weekend, the event is open not only to our students and their parents, alumni and friends of the College, but to the greater Baltimore community. This year’s celebration will be especially robust as it coincides with Baltimore City’s Artscape, the nation’s largest free outdoor arts festival held adjacent to MICA’s campus.

MICA Weekend will feature artist talks and performances by several notable alumni working across fields, highlighting how students leaving the College find success through diverse approaches to art, design, media, and entrepreneurship. The weekend’s schedule includes:

 

MICA Talks

TED Talk-inspired lectures featuring art and industry pioneers, including John Angelos, chairman and CEO of the Baltimore Orioles and MICA Trustee; Aleksandra Bogunovic ’13 (Fiber BFA), CEO of Aerothreads, a company specializing in multi-layer insulation blankets for the aerospace industry; Jerrell Gibbs ’20 (LeRoy E. Hoffberger School of Painting MFA), who painted the official portrait of the late political legend Elijah E. Cummings; Bora Shin ’20 (Graphic Design BFA), a multidisciplinary designer focusing on Smart TV experiences at Samsung; and Winston Frazer ’16 (Painting BFA), CEO of Danae, Inc., a 3D printing-focused design and manufacturing company.

 

Special Performance

A Special Performance by TT the Artist ’06 (General Fine Arts BFA), an acclaimed performer, filmmaker, creative director, designer, and community artist. Performing on national and global stages among artists such as Big Freedia, Peaches, Crystal Waters, Lil Uzi Vert, Teyana Taylor, Diplo, and more. TT The Artist’s vocal influence is highly regarded and has been sampled in songs such as J Lo "Booty," Iggy Azalea "Woke Up," and Chloe Bailey "Have Mercy," landing TT her first RIAA-certified Gold Record.

 

The Hilton Carter Experience

A special evening with acclaimed artist, author, entrepreneur, and plant stylist Hilton Carter ’02 (General Fine Arts BFA). A bestselling author of Wild Interiors, designer of limited-edition line of plants and plant accessories sold at select Target stores, and prominent Instagram influencer (@hiltoncarter), his ventures have been covered by Newsweek, The New York Times, Essence, Better Homes and Gardens, Architectural Digest, and more. During this one-night only event at MICA, the multi-talented artist will create a unique pop-up plant display and share personal insights about his internationally recognized approach to plant care and design, and his entrepreneurial drive.

 

Special Event attendees also have the opportunity to attend an Alumni Art Market, workshops, panels, open studios, and exhibitions on campus.