Soft Gym Opening & Inviting Light Sites Celebration

Mayor Scott Joins Bloomberg Philanthropies Officials, Inviting Light Artists and Invites the Public to ‘Bring their Light’ to Celebrate

There’s a light going on in Baltimore’s Station North Arts District, as the fourth installation of the Inviting Light public art initiative, Soft Gym, will be unveiled during a public party the evening of Wed. Nov. 12 from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The celebration marks not only the debut of the immersive and welcoming space but also the official re-launch of the Ynot Lot in it's new location. Once again it will serve as a performance pavilion for Station North programming.

Part playground, part training ground, Soft Gym, by acclaimed artist duo Wickerham & Lomax, transforms the landscape into a surreal 3,825-sq.-ft.-exercise-arena where the physical, emotional, and social intertwine. It’s a space designed for the body as much as for the eyes, and a place where emotion, gesture, and behavior are flexed alongside muscle.

Free to attend, guests will enjoy an evening of music, movement, and tastes in the Ynot Lot and in Mobtown Ballroom. Enjoy bites and beverages in both locations, a special Inviting Light art making activity at North Avenue Market, and tour the neighboring Inviting Light sites and one night only light projections for a vibrant night to remember!

Please RSVP!

No membership required ; )

Note this is "a rain of shine" event. Ynot Lot programming will move to North Avenue Market in the event of inclement weather

PROGRAM:

At the Ynot Lot

101 W North Avenue

5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

• Culinary experience by Casa de la Crema (Nina MK and Miigun)Movement design by Babette Pendleton
• Sound score by Daniel Grantham, in collaboration with Justin Foreman
• Taste Guilford Hall Brewery’s special Inviting Light Baltimore Pilsner (21 and over)

Remarks at 6:15 pm by Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott, representatives from Bloomberg Philanthropies, project organizers, and the artists.

At Mobtown Ballroom

30 W North Avenue

5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

• Bites and Beverages
• Music by DJ Chris Brooks
• Inviting Light Artmaking Activities led by Kiara Coleman / Peace And Currency Print Shop and Margaret Huey / Baltimore Youth Arts
  

Inviting Light sites and one-night only projection activations on Charles and North!

5:30 pm – 8:30 pm

Phaan Howng’s Big Ass Snake (Plant)s On a Plane at the Charles Street Garage, Tony Shore’s Aurora at the former Gatsby’s nightclub, and Zoë Charlton’s Third Watch at North Avenue Market. PLUS light projections along the route by Alec Sparks!

Guiding Walking Tours at 7:00 pm, 7:30 pm, and 8:00 pm

Join a guided tour of Inviting Light art installations in Charles North — 20 spots per tour, first come, first served. Meet by the Walking Tours sign outside the Ynot Lot. Miss one? No worries — hop on the next one or wander at your own pace.

The evening’s program is curated by José Ruiz in collaboration with Catherine Borg and Maura Dwyer. Special thanks to MICA Curatorial Graduate Interns and Docents, Mobtown Ballroom, Baltimore Youth Arts, Motor House, Club Car, Guilford Hall Brewery, Metro Gallery, and Central Baltimore Partnership and Neighborhood Design Center Staff.

Inviting Light is sponsored by Bloomberg Philanthropies and facilitated by Central Baltimore Partnership in partnership with the Mayor’s Office of Arts, Culture & Entertainment, and the Neighborhood Design Center. Additional support provided by the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Baltimore Community Foundation, BGE, and MICA.

For any questions, please email Catherine Borg at cborg@centralbaltimore.org

Get project updates and news at invitinglight.org and Instagram @invitinglightbaltimore

Rendering courtesy of Present Company

Rendering courtesy of Wickerham & Lomax