1807 Pearl Gallery

UMB Pearl Gallery Reveal

Behind the Scenes

A turtle swimming in the sea, three iconic Baltimore scenes, an angler fish made of metal, and a poem about living with mental illness are just some of the 32 pieces of art exhibited as part of the UMB Pearl Gallery.

Located in the Pearl Street underpass on the University of Maryland, Baltimore (UMB) campus, this exhibit was inspired by the spring 2019 issue of 1807, which encourages students, faculty, staff, and community members to submit unpublished artwork in the categories of visual arts (painting, drawing, illustration, digital art), photography, varied media (sculpture, clay, metal, glass, textiles, jewelry, wood), and the written word (short story, essay, narrative, poetry).
 
UMB Interim President Bruce E. Jarrell, MD, FACS, who is an artist himself, said of the gallery, “I am in awe of the creative talent that is evident in our University community, our alumni community, and the greater UMB community. While our community and world face daunting challenges during the pandemic, it is gratifying to celebrate art at UMB in such a public way.”
 
The work of 28 artists that appeared in the 60-plus-page journal is featured on the wall, and each discipline is represented.

Read more about the Pearl Gallery's opening in the UMB Newsroom:

View all artworks in the spring 2019 issue of 1807.

 

The lighting conduit is added along the extent of the Pearl Gallery underpass.

The gallery wall is powerwashed and lights are installed to enhance the visibility of the artwork.

This before shot shows the wall in its ready state as AP Graphics, from Sykesville, MD, begins unloading their supplies and the art vinyls.

Care is taken when removing the backing on the art vinyls.

A small hand-held torch applies heat to make the vinyl pliable, while a hand-roller is used to smooth out bumps.

Another view of applying the vinyl artwork.

A third view of applying the vinyl artwork.

AP Graphics applies vinyl “clings” to the concrete wall along the entire east corridor of the underpass on UMB’s campus.

AP Graphics applies more vinyl “clings” to the concrete wall.

Teamwork makes the dream work.

The finished product is beautiful! The gallery space welcomes passersby to enjoy colorful, interesting, diversified art as they traverse Pearl Street.

The finished product is beautiful! The gallery space welcomes passersby to enjoy colorful, interesting, diversified art as they traverse Pearl Street. (2)

The finished product is beautiful! The gallery space welcomes passersby to enjoy colorful, interesting, diversified art as they traverse Pearl Street. (3)

The finished product is beautiful! The gallery space welcomes passersby to enjoy colorful, interesting, diversified art as they traverse Pearl Street. (4)

The finished product is beautiful! The gallery space welcomes passersby to enjoy colorful, interesting, diversified art as they traverse Pearl Street. (5)

The finished product is beautiful! The gallery space welcomes passersby to enjoy colorful, interesting, diversified art as they traverse Pearl Street. (6)

Interim president Bruce Jarrell and Jennifer Litchman, senior vice president for external relations and special assistant to the president admire the new gallery space.

Alison G. Brown, MPH, president, University of Maryland Medical Center Midtown Campus joined as the shuttles revealed the wall.

Dr. Jarrell exclaims, “Move those shuttle buses!” to reveal the new gallery wall adorned with art from the 2019 art and literary journal.

Dr. Jarrell sporting his UMB mask in front of the artwork reflecting the cover of the first issue of 1807.

A-Lien Lu-Chang, PhD, Professor, School of Medicine, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology was a surprise visitor at the reveal. She submitted this beautiful painting, “Fall Stream", which was published in the inaugural issue of 1807.

Dr. Jarrell is thankful to now have this beautiful space to walk through as he traverses campus.