Johns Hopkins University has acquired 10 new contemporary artworks by local Baltimore artists as part of an initiative launched in 2023 to collect and display art by regional talents. The second round of acquisitions includes works by Brandon Donahue-Shipp, Bria Sterling-Wilson, and Jerrell Gibbs, among others. The pieces will be displayed at the Irene and Richard Frary Gallery in Washington, D.C., as part of the exhibition "Strong, Bright, Useful, and True: Recent Acquisitions and Contemporary Art from Baltimore" before being installed across Johns Hopkins campuses.
The initiative aims to elevate Baltimore's artistic talent, deepen community partnerships, and support economic opportunities for local individuals, aligning with the university's Ten for One strategic vision. By integrating contemporary art into campus life, the program fosters dialogue and inspiration, while also strengthening ties between the university and the broader Baltimore arts ecosystem. The collaboration with BmoreArt's Connect + Collect and the Baltimore Museum of Art underscores a commitment to amplifying local voices in the national contemporary art landscape.