The Colored Vocational School, now Carver, was established in 1925 to train and equip Black youth for immediate employment and entrepreneurship after grade school because Black youth were not awarded the same opportunities as White students. The Vocational School attracted students from all over the city. It offered classes in automotive repair, carpentry, dressmaking, shoe repair, design, and more! The school continues to educate and empower Black leaders of the future, yet they are still greatly underserved and unrecognized for their history and contributions to the city of Baltimore.

This collective consists of 10 young artists passionate about pursing a career in art and design.

The painted pieces will be auctioned off at the University of Baltimore on February 18th, Tom Miller Day, with proceeds going towards an art scholarship for the participating artists. The students will also have a group exhibition at Black Artist Research Space.

Blackives, LLC hopes to establish and sustain a partnership with Carver VoTech with this initial collaboration. We are working diligently to raise monies for the students.

Gary Mullen is a Baltimore-based artist known for his Afri-cubism, style of flat colors, sculptures, and simplified shapes. Like Tom Miller, Mullen is inspired by the city, its rich Black history, and his experiences. He is a Fine Arts graduate from Morgan State University. Mullen is currently a resident artist at MotorHouse.

Jonathan Brickous Sr. also known as Jon Brick (of Brick Art) is a Baltimore-based conceptual artist and entrepreneur. He is skilled in painting, body art, graphic design as well as graffiti art. Jonathan combines self-taught skills with techniques acquired during his time in college, where he received his bachelor's degree in fine arts/computer graphics in 2007. Jonathan's art reflects his expression of life experiences, current events in today's society, also his love for Black Culture.

By day Jon teaches the fundamentals of art to high school students in Baltimore City. Here he has cultivated a youth Artist led art collective called Cre8tive Xpression. Mr.Bricks' evening and weekend time are spent providing therapeutic paint sessions at several spaces on the east coast. His works of art can now be seen on displays not only in Baltimore but also in other venues and spaces in the DMV area.

My name is T. Jewel Young, M.A. Ed. I am a history teacher, mentor, and proud Baltimore native. Growing up in the Bolton Hill area near the art district, I have always been inspired by all things true to Baltimore’s unique artistic culture.

In 2022, a conversation with Carver Vocational School’s art teacher about local paint events reignited my early interest in the arts. Afterward, I began to work closely with the school’s art club and classes, recently taking on the role of Co-Director of Cre8tive Xpression, Art Collective.

I am TJ Blake, Artistry and my road to Art is one where a crossroad of art as healing entered my world. My roads’ journey took an unexpected turn.

Traveling has always been one of my passions and my mainstays. I have visited six of our seven continents, with Africa being one of my most profound experiences. I was first a Massage Therapist before becoming a different type of artist. I traveled to Southern Africa and used massage to serve women and children living with HIV and AIDS. As a Massage Therapist, my hands have been used to aid in comforting much like art, colors, and imagination now create vibrancy through the artist’s hand.

Art came to me by way of me needing to fill a void caused by sustaining an injury while training for a marathon. Where my soul was consumed with toning, preparing, and conditioning......my injury required a new focus...that of healing. And so TJ Blake artistry rose.

A renewed passion in life, an extension of working with my hands as a Massage Therapist, I now work with canvass, using primarily acrylic paints , resin and someday oils. I’d rather paint than eat, as I am ever anxious to create the next piece!

“As their name suggests, science, technology, engineering, and math are what puts the STEM in Stem and Vine, and exposing people, particularly young people, to the plant sciences is also part of their mission.

Wellness is also something that Stem and Vine is hoping to bring a little more of to Baltimore. In addition to the well documented benefits ranging from mood to air quality that plants brings with them, Stem and Vine is going to be set up to have a variety of wellness programming and already have some yoga, meditation and education planned. “ — Open Works Baltimore

2201 Presstman St, Baltimore, MD 21216

1420 Maryland Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201

The exhibition of painted furniture by the students will take place inside the Library's Glass Hall. This will be the first exhibition for the Library. Former Mayor Kurt Schmoke, who declared Tom Miller Day in 1995, is the current University President.