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Center for Art Design and Visual Culture - UMBC
A Black woman reads emphatically from a book open in her left hand. She gesticulates with her right hand.
Tomashi Jackson

Pedagogy Study Hall Roundtable: Structures of Cultural Support

April 8, 2025 5:30PM–7PM

In April, as part of “Pedagogy Study Hall,” Center for Art, Design, and Visual Culture at UMBC (CADVC) will host public events panels fostering critical discussions about cultural support structures and education policy. Registration is required for both events.

Participants

Denise Griffin Johnson is a Baltimore native and a leader in cultural organizing. She co-founded CultureWorks in 2008, spearheading a major community-led initiative in West Baltimore. As a National Cultural Agent with USDAC, she has led national and regional discussions on justice, belonging, and storytelling. She has collaborated with UMBC and Lafayette College on cultural and economic initiatives and has helped secure over $4 million for West Baltimore’s cultural projects. Denise holds a Master of Science from Coppin State University with postgraduate training in Clinical Counseling. She has co-authored academic publications and contributed to major media discussions on community transformation.

Photo of a woman smiling at the camera. She has brown hair in a pixie cut with gold hoop earrings. She wears a dark blazer and a maroon red shirt.

Ryan Patterson is the Program Director for Public Art at the Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC). Since joining MSAC in 2020, he has played a key role in managing public art initiatives, including the Percent for Art commission program and Public Art Across Maryland grants. He previously served as Arts Capital Coordinator, helping develop and administer the Arts Capital Grant program. A lifelong visual artist, Ryan earned his BFA in General Sculptural Studies from the Maryland Institute College of Art. He has worked as a Community Arts Organizer for the Parks & People Foundation, a Public Art Administrator for the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts, and a Community Artist in Residence at the Kentucky School of Art.

Headshot of a white man with glasses smiling at the camera. He wears a grey blazer and a gingham blue dress shirt.
Photo by Human Being Productions

Dr. Nick Hartigan is an art historian. Between 2019 and 2025, he was a Fine Arts Specialist with the U.S. General Services Administration, where he oversees the nation’s largest public art collection. His work focuses on the nation’s capital where he serves as a subject matter expert on 20th century art. At GSA, Hartigan launched new interpretive programs, expanded public access and visibility, and broadened partnerships with peer institutions inside and outside of the federal government. He earned his BA in art history from the University of California, Berkeley, and his MA and PhD in art history from the University of Michigan.

Photo of a man with glasses smiling at the camera. He is wearing a white hard hat and a high vis vest.

Visitor Information

Our exhibitions and events are free and open to the public for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University’s nondiscrimination policy.

If you need specific accommodations at one of our events, whether in person or online, or to experience an exhibition, please contact CADVC at cadvc@umbc.edu or 410-455-3188 as soon as possible.

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