Herbert Massie

For Reflections of Sybby Grant, artist Herbert Massie collaborated with Baltimore community members to create over 400 plates during workshops hosted through Jubilee Arts. The artist selected over 200 plates to create this set of five mosaic panels that pay homage to Sybby Grant, the enslaved cook who lived and worked for the Thomas family at One West Mount Vernon Place. Once made and decorated, the plates were bisque fired, glazed, and Raku fired, which produced the black color that is visible in many of the plates.

Massie is a teaching artist from Baltimore. In 2016, the Maryland State Arts Council named him the recipient of the Sue Hess Maryland Arts Advocate of the Year Award. With well over 25 years of experience, in addition to teaching at Baltimore Clayworks and Jubilee Arts, Massie has hosted ceramic workshops and classes in Baltimore City schools with teens, adults, and community elders, as well as people in addiction recovery and those formerly incarcerated.

Jubilee Arts is a thriving community art program located on Pennsylvania Avenue in the Upton neighborhood of Baltimore. Jubilee Arts is a catalyst for social change, using art as a tool for empowerment, community building, learning our history, and changing our future.

Learn more about Sybby Grant.