The 'Emergence: Stories in the Making' exhibition at Galerie Myrtis in Baltimore features 12 artists, including Maxwell Pearce—an artist and Harlem Globetrotters player—and Linnea Poole. Pearce uses sports equipment like shoelaces and basketballs to create portraits of loved ones, responding to the 'shut up and dribble' narrative he faced after a traumatic incident. Poole's work focuses on mourning and grief, dedicated to Black women. The exhibition includes artists from Nigeria and the Caribbean, aiming to preserve personal and collective histories through uncensored storytelling.
This exhibition matters because it highlights the role of art in preserving narratives that are at risk of being lost, especially in a time of cultural erasure. By featuring athletes as multidimensional artists and centering underrepresented voices, the show challenges stereotypes and fosters open conversations about trauma, grief, and identity. It also demonstrates how local galleries can serve as platforms for global stories, connecting communities across borders.