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.
Public programs: Registration Required
April 8, 5:30–7pm: Conversation about structures of cultural support – at the Lion Brothers classroom in downtown Baltimore.
Denise Griffin Johnson
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.
C. Ryan Patterson
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.
Dr. Nick Hartigan
Dr. Nick Hartigan is an art historian and 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 has 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.
April 15, 6–7pm: Webinar panel on education history and policy. Format (online)
Matt Gregor
Matt Cregor is a civil rights attorney specializing in education law. He has worked with the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and Lawyers for Civil Rights. He currently serves at the Mental Health Legal Advisors Committee in Massachusetts. His work focuses on racial harassment, school discipline reform, teacher diversity, and special education. Matt has partnered with community-led organizations and played a key role in securing federal school discipline reform during the Obama administration.
Davarian L. Baldwin is an internationally recognized historian, cultural critic, and public advocate. He is the Paul E. Raether Distinguished Professor of American Studies and founding director of the Smart Cities Research Lab at Trinity College. His work focuses on global cities and marginalized communities, and he is the award-winning author of several books, including In the Shadow of the Ivory Tower: How Universities Are Plundering Our Cities. His commentaries have been featured in NBC News, BBC, The Washington Post, and TIME. In 2022, he was named a Freedom Scholar by the Marguerite Casey Foundation for his work in racial and economic justice.