Signs of People: The Development of a Public Art Project in the Catonsville Arts District

Session Description:

In Fall 2025, a major public art project — Signs of People, by artists Eva Salmerón and Ciro Márquez — will transform the urban landscape of the Catonsville Arts District. Already the subject of feature articles in The Baltimore Banner, BmoreArt, and Baltimore Fishbowl, the Signs of People project is the culmination of several years of investment in best practices in the development of public art. In this session, attendees will learn about that process, which began in 2022 with an initial grant from the former Catonsville Historical Society, later supplemented by funds from the Maryland State Arts Council, that provided support for the development of a public art master plan for the Catonsville Arts District by the consulting firm Art Builds Community, with additional community engagement by Baltimore’s Neighborhood Design Center. The discussion will include the artist selection process, the ongoing work to create a more vibrant community through public art installations, and opportunities and challenges that have emerged during the planning phase.