The Walters Art Museum’s inaugural summer block party celebrates Baltimore’s boundless creativity through art, music, and community. During this fun-filled day of festivities, art lovers of all ages can come together inside and outside of the museum to experience live music performances, take part in artist- and educator-led art projects, enjoy the flavors of local food trucks, shop local vendors, explore the museum’s galleries, and enjoy the company of their neighbors.
Performances
CIELO of Creative Alliance
Grupo ETNIA
Daoure Diongue
Drum Dr. Dot
Gyzelle Garcia
Activities
Collaborative chalk mural designed by Pablo Machioli
Papel picado flag workshop with CIELO of Creative Alliance
Radical cartography workshop with Arts Collective
Afrofuturist story times with Enoch Pratt Free Library
Block Party! Family Guide to the galleries
Silent disco in the Sculpture Court
Collaborative community-curated playlist
Conservation Window
Food
The Empanada Lady
Black Baltimore Vegan
Taharka Brothers ice cream
Museum Cafe
Community Partners
Alexis Tyson, Block Party! community advisor
Baltimore Center Stage
Baltimore School for the Arts
Black Star Line Literacy Bus powered by Urban Reads
John Tyler, Block Party! community advisor
Maryland Center for History and Culture
Peabody Institute
Viridiana Colosio-Martinez, Block Party! community advisor
Block Party! performances have been curated by the event’s community advisors John Tyler, Viridiana Colosio-Martinez, and Alexis Tyson.
An ASL interpreter will be available upon request at this program.
Accessibility resources and accommodations are available for programs and events. Available Resources: ASL interpretation, accessible seating, headphones, sensory supplies, quiet areas. Visit our accessibility web page for more information. Please email [email protected] with questions and requests.
About the Advisors
Viridiana Colosio-Martinez is an interdisciplinary scholar, storyteller, and educator based in Baltimore. Currently, she is pursuing a PhD in Language, Literacy, and Culture at UMBC, focusing on the experiences of Baltimore’s Latinx communities, including immigration stories, cultural identity, and resilience. She collaborates with Yesenia Mejia-Herrera and Artesanas at Creative Alliance to support the community in celebrating and passing down the Latinx traditions to younger generations while sharing them with Baltimore’s diverse communities. Additionally, she serves as an adjunct in the Department of Modern Languages, Linguistics, and Intercultural Communication at UMBC, where she teaches Spanish and Spanish Heritage classes.
John Tyler (JXHN TYLXR) is a 26-year-old powerhouse: an Emmy Award-winning film composer, visionary artist, and dynamic music and event producer who is reshaping the creative landscape. As the founder of the groundbreaking Love Groove Festival, Tyler has established himself as a leading force in the industry and Baltimore culture.
Alexis Tyson, also known as TWZ, is a Baltimore-born curator, muralist, and multi-disciplinary artist. Their work explores the intersection of public art, social impact, and historical storytelling, often engaging directly with communities to reclaim and reimagine shared spaces. Through murals, exhibitions, and interactive curriculum, they highlight Black history, explore forms of cultural documentation, and the power of critical discussions of our social landscape. Passionate about making history more accessible and engaging for all, Tyson creates spaces where people can see themselves reflected, honored, and nurtured.