Baltimore Living Archives (BLA) established a residency program between the Enoch Pratt Free Library and the SNF Parkway, and independent movie theater. BLA imagined the potential of a living, breathing archive through artist research initiative into the libraries archives, public programs with residents at various branches, and screenings at the Parkway theater. Through engagement with history, the artists of BLA Shan Wallace and Lawerence Burney, presented the deep time of Baltimore. The meticulous work of combing through the past to present an story, image, or video that could become a missing puzzle piece in someone’s life is the work of a mystic. Doing archival work is to anticipate what stories the past will be the building blocks of the future. And, to make new work alongside it is a kind of unwavering commitment to people—a linking of past generations with those yet to come.
On a practical note, caring about the stories of every day people and deciding they are important and should be shared and saved, is an act of population retention. It says your story matters and belongs in these institutions. And that builds community and civic engagement that is centered around sharing stories through film and media.
Baltimore Living Archives was funded through a The National Endowment for the Arts Our Town grant, one of 63 nationwide that the agency has approved in this category to support projects that integrate arts, culture, and design activities into efforts that strengthen communities by advancing local economic, physical, and/or social outcomes; ultimately laying the groundwork for sustainable systems change.
Shan designed a number of programs from The Queer Agenda film screening series, Family Day Portraits, Documenting Queer Elders, the Lesbian Section, to digitizing home movies for Baltimore residents. Laurence presented the True Laurels Film Series, inspired from his time as a lead journalist telling the usually hidden and untold stories highlighting Baltimore + The DMV’s most captivating music, visual arts, and the surrounding culture that informs both. Laurels Lessons conversation series got to the root of key musical and cultural moments, eras, and events throughout history in the Baltimore area. HOW DID WE GET HERE? a program to gather stories on those whose families participated in the great migration or had other migration stories to share.
Baltimore Living Archives was initially conceived by Ginevra Shay with Lawrence Burney and Shan Wallace. The Enoch Pratt has continued the artist residency to this day.
