HarborTraces Artist Exchange
HarborTraces: Brooklyn-curtis bay<> Heijplaat
Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee (BRSCC) has supported an artist residency program for artists in Baltimore, Maryland and Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
The HarborTraces project was designed to empower members of two marginalized harbor communities, situated in two sister cities: Heijplaat in Rotterdam and Brooklyn-Curtis Bay in Baltimore (also known as Baybrook). Both communities are culturally diverse and have suffered from a loss of industry, jobs, and prospects. Both have both been geographically cut off from the rest of the metropolitan cities by waterways and major transportation arteries.
The artists in the program focus on public art projects that actively invite communities to examine their unique histories and sense of place. An educational outreach program accompanies the projects, in an effort to allow the artist to dialogue directly with students as well as the general public.
Building Cultural Bridges
Throughout the years, with our art exchange programs, we address issues that relate to globalization, cultural development of community, multiculturalism, and social change through community and contemporary art. Our activities have included educational programs, exhibits, and artist residencies, aiming to foster dialogue between the people of these two unique yet complementary cities, and at the same time strengthen institutional partnerships.
Current activities
Rotterdam artist and theatre artist Kathie diStefano has done several artist residencies in Baltimore over the years, with a focus on Baltimore’s Brooklyn-Curtis Bay neighborhood, but has also conducted workshops in other areas of Baltimore. During these residencies, she has worked with students, teachers, and community residents. Kathie coordinates workshops and exchanges with Baltimore and Rotterdam area schools, with an environmental theme. She has received a grant from the Netherlands Chapter of World Wide Fund for Nature (WNF) to help set up the exchanges.
Kathie diStefano employs participatory techniques and theatre art to create awareness with youth and seniors about the environment through creative strategies to recycle and make smart consumer decisions in Heijplaat in Rotterdam.
Operation Trash
Performances and workshops for kids and teachers
Theatre artist & educator Kathie diStefano from Rotterdam's Avalanche Arts designs and coordinates creative educational activities for kids in Baltimore & Rotterdam to make them aware of trash pollution and how they can help solve it. diStefano travels to Baltimore frequently.
diStefano is part of the artist roster at Arts for Learning, Maryland (formerly known as Young Audiences). She provides a fun, educational theatre performance to schools about trash and its impact on wildlife, geared to kids in kindergarten through grade 2, called “Seagull Mamma.” She also provides a an interactive perfformance for older children called “Operation Trash.”
Schools and other organizations can sign up on the Young Audiences website to schedule an in-person or virtual performance at their location. Schools can inquire with Young Audiences about the possible availability of subsidies.
