Literary Arts

It will be hot. It could be wet. It will be crowded. There will be controversy, likely tempered by good humor. There will be people from down the street and across the globe. The lines for funnel cakes will be longer than those for the galleries. There will be high art and low, art for sale and art for art's sake. Everyone who is not an artist will be a critic. It will be, in short, another Artscape.Artscape, which runs Friday through Sunday, is a ripe old 18 now, having survived thunderstorms, political storms and endless debate over what it is and ought to be. Those who produce it have put an annual focus and a face on Baltimore's arts community; some of the faces of Artscape 1999 are pictured here.

With "Growing Art in Baltimore" as its motto, Artscape '98 promises a celebration that's grown to be bigger than ever, its organizers say.In its 17th year, Baltimore's free annual arts festival will feature music and performing arts on three outdoor stages, indoor and outdoor visual arts exhibitions, opera, chamber music, international dance, literary arts workshops and celebrity readings, street theater and activities for children and families.Artscape runs tomorrow through Sunday."It's an incredibly wonderful coming together of everyone in the region," said Claudia Bismark, director of development for Artscape '98. "We have participants from all up and down the East Coast."

Thursday6 p.m.Artscape begins: Visual arts exhibitions reception - Decker Gallery Mount Royal Station Building; Meyerhoff Gallery, Student Gallery and Thesis Gallery, Fox Building; and selected Performance Art in Decker Auditorium, Maryland Institute College of Art and outdoor sites along Mount Royal Avenue7 p.m.The Motor Morons, in front of Lyric Opera House7:30 p.m.The Oneness of Us, Fox BuildingFriday6 p.m.Opening: Visual arts exhibitions, crafts market,...

Artscape '96 kicks off this weekend with its usual array of art and crafts for sale, literary events, music, comedy and, of course, food.New this year are performers at the Gordon Plaza Comedy Stage at the University of Baltimore, who will brave the crowd in search of laughs.Literary events will also take the spotlight.The 1996 Artscape Literary Award for Poetry went to Chezia Thompson-Cager for "Power Objects." She teaches in the Department of Literature and Language at the Maryland Institute, College of Art and will read at the University of Baltimore Law Center at 8 p.m. Friday.

Here is the schedule of events for Artscape '95:July 206 p.m. -- Visual arts exhibitions (Decker Gallery, Mount Royal Station Building; Meyerhoff Gallery, Fox Building; Maryland Institute, College of Art, and outdoor sites)8 p.m. -- Performance art (Decker Auditorium)July 217 p.m. -- Ellis Marsalis, jazz (Fox Stage)7 p.m. -- Carl Grubbs, jazz (Decker Stage)7:30 p.m. -- Literary Arts Awards ceremony (Moot Court Room, Law Center, University of Baltimore)8 p.m. -- Reading by Alicia Rabins, winner of poetry award for "The Girl Who Wants to Be a Landscape" (Law Center, University of Baltimore)

Here is the schedule of events for Artscape '95:July 217 p.m. -- Ellis Marsalis, jazz (Fox Stage)7 p.m. -- Carl Grubbs, jazz (Decker Stage)7:30 p.m. -- Literary Arts Awards ceremony (Moot Court Room, Law Center, University of Baltimore)8 p.m. -- Reading by Alicia Rabins, winner of poetry award for "The Girl Who Wants to Be a Landscape" (Law Center, University of Baltimore)8:15 p.m. -- Pepsi-Cola, Baltimore presents Peabo Bryson and Patti Austin, soul and rhythm and blues (Decker Stage)8:30 p.m. -- 2/3 of a Nation, alternative pop (Fox Stage)

Planning a visit to Artscape this coming weekend? You migh want to wander off the beaten paths of the city's annual celebration of the arts and seek out some indoor treasures. At several off-street venues, the literary-minded can meet and greet the winners of the Artscape '94 Literary Arts Awards and even settle in for readings and performances of the winning works: a short story, poetry and a one-act play.And beginning on this page, Sun Magazine readers can get a preview of two of the performances: We've printed the short story in its entirety as well as excerpts from the poetry winner's collections.

Fiction writer Rafael Alvarez, poet Barbara Hurd and playwright Rohn Luckett have won Artscape's 1994 literary arts awards, according to the Mayor's Advisory Committee on Art and Culture.Mr. Alvarez, a reporter for The Sun and a Baltimore native, won his award for the short story "The Fountain of Highlandtown." It will be printed in a chapbook edition of 240 copies.Ms. Hurd, who teaches at Frostburg State University and directs the Western Maryland Writer's Workshop, won for her poetry collection "Objects in This Mirror."

Here is a schedule of Artscape activities.Friday, July 15* 6 p.m.Visual arts exhibitions, crafts, literary arts tents, cultural resource tents and food booths open.* 7 p.m.Decker Stage -- The "Whit" Williams Orchestra (big band swing)Fox Stage -- The Dave Cosby Project (world beat and jazz)* 7:30 p.m.Law Center, University of Baltimore (UB) -- literary arts awards ceremony* 8 p.m.Law Center, UB -- Barbara Hurd, winner of Artscape literary arts award for poetry, reads from "Objects in This Mirror"* 8:15 p.m.Decker Stage -- Aretha Franklin (soul and rhythm and blues)

In Sunday's Arts & Entertainment section, the wrong telephone number was listed for additional information about Artscape. The correct number is 396-4575.The Sun regrets the error.Here's a lineup of Artscape events, which start Thursday and continue through July 25.THURSDAY* 6 p.m. at the Decker Gallery, Mount Royal Station Building Meyerhoff Gallery, Thesis Gallery, Fox Building; Maryland Institute, College of Art (MICA) and outdoor sites: ARTSCAPEvisual arts exhibitions; reception.FRIDAY* 6 p.m.: Visual arts exhibitions, crafts, literary arts tents, cultura resource tents and food booths open.

Gregg Wilhelm wants literary arts to step out of the shadows of its more sociable cousins. He's the helmsman of CityLit Festival V, a daylong celebration of the written word, which takes over the Enoch Pratt Free Library's Central Library on Saturday. "Literary arts are just as important and creative and enlightening as going to the BMA or Center Stage," said Wilhelm. "But they have this weird dilemma of often being created and consumed in solitude." The festival, which includes panel discussions, workshops, readings and appearances by several local authors, aims to show the public that literary arts can function as a more community-based activity.

On Saturday, the CityLit Project will host its third annual literary arts festival at the Enoch Pratt Free Library. The daylong event, which celebrates the culture of literature in Baltimore, will feature three major book debuts and several poetry readings, as well as lectures, writing workshops and an open mike. Chicago-based performance poet Tyehimba Jess, recently named one of the 18 new poets to watch by Poets & Writers Magazine, will head the poetry schedule with a reading from his newest anthology leadbelly.

For the fourth year, the Cultural Arts Foundation will honor six Anne Arundel County residents with Annie awards for their contributions to the arts, with a reception scheduled today at Historic London Town House and Gardens in Edgewater. Award categories are lifetime achievement, education, arts patronage, literary arts, visual arts and performing arts. The honorees are: Eloise Vaughan, lifetime achievement award. A longtime Linthicum Heights resident, Vaughan founded the Performing Arts Association of Linthicum in 1981, and for nine years served as its president.

COMING UP Check out the city's best flavors Saturday at the seventh annual Taste of Baltimore. More than 70 restaurants will be selling food and beverages, and at the Giant Food Pavilion, visitors can sample new food products, take part in eating contests and other games and listen to concerts. This year's acts include Hootie and the Blowfish, IKE, Fountains of Wayne, Jonasay, Beatwater, Tony Barry and New Money and Irish Thunder. In addition, Ravens players will be hanging around the Jock stage.

For the third year, the Cultural Arts Foundation will honor six Anne Arundel County residents with Annie awards for their contributions to the arts, with a reception Thursday evening at Chesapeake Center for the Creative Arts in Brooklyn Park. The Annie awards are given in the categories of lifetime achievement, education, arts patronage, and literary, visual, and performing arts. This year's honorees are: Lifetime Achievement - Douglas Allanbrook, an 81-year-old Annapolis resident who is a composer, harpsichordist and teacher.

A senior at Loyola Blakefield was presented with the first James K. McManus Award for excellence in journalism or the literary arts at the school's annual awards ceremony yesterday at the campus in Towson. McManus, better known as sports commentator Jim McKay, presented the award to David Renie, 17, of Cockeysville. Renie received a $1,500 cash award, and his name will be the first inscribed on a plaque to be displayed in Burk Hall at the Catholic high school. Renie will attend the University of Maryland, College Park, where he has received a full scholarship.

An author, a musician and an art teacher are among the winners of this year's Annie awards. In all, Annie awards were presented by the Cultural Arts Foundation of Anne Arundel County to six people who enrich the county's art scene, including Annapolis photographer Marion Warren, who won the lifetime achievement award. "I feel honored to receive this award after putting all these years into photography," said Warren, whose camera has captured life in the county and state for more than 60 years.

Usually, a resignation means a person leaving a post, and the decision to do so is final. Clair Segal announced earlier this month that she will step down as head of the Mayor's Advisory Commission on Arts and Culture, a cabinet-level position that for nearly 15 years gave her responsibility for organizing Baltimore's annual Artscape festival. And that seemed to be the last word. Except that Mayor Martin O'Malley is refusing to honor her resignation. "I'm not accepting it," the mayor said this week.

Six people will be honored for their contributions to the county arts community June 23 in the first Annie Awards ceremony. Established by the Cultural Arts Foundation of Anne Arundel County, the awards - planned to become an annual ceremony - will be presented at a foundation fund-raising gala, the Waterfront Arts Festival Preview Party. The party will begin at 6:30 p.m. on the banks of College Creek on the Annapolis campus of St. John's College. The event will include a buffet of specialties from caterers and restaurants, music by the Bay Winds Quartet, and a silent auction.

Festival of Arts Enjoy an entertaining and educational tour of the arts this weekend at the seventh annual Frederick Festival of Arts. The two-day "Creekside Celebration of the Arts" features a showcase of visual, performing and literary arts. About 135 artists will show their work at the juried Arts Market, and continuous music, ranging from Celtic and folk to rock and jazz, will be presented on four stages. There also will be a children's interactive art center and plenty of food. And, if art shopping doesn't deplete you of all energy, rent a canoe or kayak and take a ride on Carroll Creek, adjacent to the festival site.