Free Hour Films, Wednesdays, Noon – 1 p.m.
CADVC gallery theatre, 1st Floor Fine Arts

An experimental partnership between Maryland Traditions statewide folklife program, CADVC and the Orser Center for the Study of Place, Community and Culture to bring you memorable short documentary films followed by a discussion with an insider--a filmmaker or practitioner--or both.

This spring we offer you Baltimore Films/Baltimore People and a glimpse of three local legends.

April 13 - The Screen Painters - 28 mins.

Meet the men and women of Baltimore’s ethnic neighborhoods who carry on a century-old folk art and maintain an unusual source of privacy once synonymous with city living. Johnny Eck, internationally revered “freak” is among the artists.

Comments: Elaine Eff, Film Director & UMBC Folklorist-in-Residence and Richard Chisolm, Cinematographer, UMBC ‘82

April 20 - Little Castles: A Formstone Phenomenon

Love it or hate it, Formstone is here to stay. Who would guess that synthetic stone found on rowhouses throughout Baltimore was invented here in 1939 and took the city by storm. Beloved and reviled, the faux stone is another one of our trademarks that is likely here to stay. Learn all there is to know from the people who made it, sold it and lived in it, including another local icon, John Waters. A post-screening discussion will be led by filmmaker Lillian Bowers, and Formstone salesman Fred Schreufer.

April 27 - Say It Loud!

Globe Posters' fluorescent ads for R&B bands and local events have been a part of street life for 80 years. At one time, it seemed that every telephone pole and tree sported a Globe poster. Ike & Tina Turner, James Brown, "King" Solomon Burke were all customers. Share a glimpse of a Baltimore tradition's last days and new beginnings. A post-screening discussion will be led by Bob Cicero, President of Globe Poster Printing; John Lewis, filmmaker and Arts Editor of Baltimore magazine; and Rei Spinnicchio, filmmaker.

These events are sponsored in part by the Department of American Studies; the Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture, Maryland Traditions, the Orser Center for the Study of Place, Community and Culture; and the Maryland State Arts Council.

12 pm, Center for Art, Design and Visual Culture (located on the first floor of the Fine Arts Building). Admission is free. For more information call 410-455-3188.