Artscape

Over the past 12 years, Artscape has developed into a cavalcade of arts, music and food that draws exhibitors and visitors from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region.Its strongest impact, however, is felt locally.It can be safely said that Baltimore's increasingly active crafts scene -- including many thriving shops -- is a direct result of this festival and its drawing power.Yes, drawing power.City officials estimate that up to a million people visit thArtscape grounds around the Maryland Institute on Mount Royal Avenue.

One of Artscape's most popular new offerings this year will contain not a single piece of artwork to admire or buy, nary a concoction of fried dough dusted with powdered sugar, and will offer absolutely zero potential for people-watching. But the new air-conditioned Guest Services Tent stationed in front of the Lyric Opera House will provide festival-goers a commodity that's even more coveted — a way to save time. The tent will contain the festival box office, which will provide advance tickets for the most in-demand, indoor performances scheduled for that day. For instance, visitors can stop off at the tent on Saturday and collect tickets for the free Baltimore Symphony Orchestra concert, while on Sunday, they can get passes for Graham II, the junior troupe of the famed Martha Graham Dance Company.

If Circuit Court Judge Mabel Houze Hubbard takes any longer in ruling on the fate of over $700,000 in Artscape money, she might end up in the "Guinness Book of World Records" as the champion judicial procrastinator.Two years have already passed since Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke asked the judge to order an ostensibly private foundation to hand the money back to the city. Despite all this time, the judge has failed to take any action. The inaction is "a good example of justice delayed is justice denied," says Mr. Schmoke.

The magic moment comes at 8:15 Friday night, when Peabo Bryson and Patti Austin kick off this year's Artscape. Tens of thousands of people are expected to crowd the Mount Royal Cultural Center. Some will climb up onto trees to get a view of the rhythm and blues singers. Others will find a perch on the top floor of a nearby parking garage.Artscape, started in the early 1980s, just keeps getting bigger and bigger. It has grown into one of the biggest outdoor festivals in America.Even though its annual three-day run often is marked by relentless heat and sometimes interrupted by thunderstorms, more than a million visitors sample its cornucopia of offerings.

About 500,000 people are expected to visit Artscape, Baltimore's annual celebration of the cultural arts, this weekend. If all of them come to the city by car, it is going to be a mess. The Maryland Transit Administration is urging Artscape-goers to use public transit to reach the festival site, centered on the 1200 block of Mount Royal Ave. The MTA noted that the Metro subway, running from Owings Mills to Johns Hopkins Hospital has a station at State Center two blocks from the festival site.

Visit the Cloisters -- taste the world. At least, so it seemed at the third annual Wine Arts Tasting benefiting Artscape. Each room in the medieval building featured food from a different country, with wines to match. And then there were the tourists -- 330 of them taking the trip, finding plenty of friends along the way. Friends like: Franklin McNeil Jr., Mark Kochevar and City Councilwoman Catherine E. Pugh, event co- chairs; Claudia Bismark, Wanda Q. Draper, Rachel Eisler, Bill Fine, Dana Karangelen, Kathryn Norris, Barbara Redmond, Serge Reveille and Clair Zamoiski and Tommy Segal, event committee members; John Galleazzi, University of Maryland School of Medicine assistant dean; Pamela Johnson, Baltimore schools development director; Avis Naomi Smith, Baltimore International College student; Dr. Adam Basner, Sinai Hospital plastic surgery division head; Dana Durrett, Apex Drapery interior designer; Bob Groth, Flying Fruit Fantasy founder; Rhea Feikin, Baltimore actress; Jean Wyman, Good Thinking Inc. president; Almie McIntyre Jr., McIntyre Financial Group president; Joe Werner, Towson Interpark president; Chuck Nabit, Southport Financial CEO; and Bradley Alston, YMCA of Central Maryland project director.

Three-year-old Elijah Thomas had just seen a face. And he couldn't have been more excited. "Look, look," Elijah implored, turning his head to his mother and pointing at a 15-foot metal face about 20 feet away, its mouth opening and closing as the youngster tugged on a metal joystick. "It closed! It closed!" Elijah's mom, Erika Taylor, laughed and smiled, delighted. "He's having a blast," she said, realizing that the toughest part of her family's visit to Artscape on Friday afternoon would be separating Elijah from the mechanical face that was fast becoming his new BFF. But that's what happens when you hand over control of a 15-foot stainless steel face to a steady stream of Artscapers.

Calling all artists -- and their friends. Organizers of Artscape, the city's annual celebration of the arts, are looking for the visually, musically and theatrically gifted to participate in this summer's festival, which will run from July 16 to 18. The event includes dramatic presentations from one-act plays to improv; band performances on three outdoor stages; an Outdoor Sculpture show and the 11th Annual Art Car Show. Volunteers are needed to help with everything from information booths to building giant Lego creations.

Judging by the number of imitators it has spawned, Artscape, Baltimore's annual outdoor arts festival that opens tomorrow, has been a raging success. As Artscape celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, there are at least three independently organized mini-festivals inspired by its example aimed at capitalizing on the huge crowds that descend on the city during the three-day event. Festivals: For a complete schedule of aLtskape events, directions and information on parking, visit baltimorerowhomes.

Isn't it amazing how the real world works?For four years, William Donald Schaefer's former City Hall aides engaged in a mean-spirited fight with Mayor Kurt L. Schmoke over his attempts to take control of funds donated to Artscape, Baltimore's annual arts happening. But the day before Governor Schaefer was to testify in the case, under a city subpoena, the trial was halted and the matter suddenly was settled out of court.The settlement is hardly ideal. Under its terms, the city is to receive 40 percent of the $666,513 that was raised years ago for the summer event.