Turning a Simple Lighting Project into a Catalyst for Creative Collaboration
What began as a small lighting improvement for West Trenton Alley — an arterial road off Falls Road near Maryland Avenue between MICA’s 1800 Falls Road Building and the Lazarus Graduate Building — evolved into a transformative public-art project and the launching point for MICA’s engagement in the Falls Gateway Masterplan. The space, long overlooked as a service corridor, was reimagined as a dynamic pedestrian passage and open-air canvas connecting campus and community.
Forgotten Alley Turned Art Gallery and Event Space
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Partnering with MICA leadership, Midtown Baltimore, and Baltimore City DOT, I helped shift the focus from infrastructure to placemaking. I co-led artist selection, coordinated logistics, and ensured the creative concept was feasible, safe, and visually integrated.
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The project brought together MICA’s Center for Creative Impact, Friends of the Jones Falls, and local property owners to collectively envision how public art could strengthen the link between campus and neighborhood. This process became a framework for future engagement.
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The mural by MICA alum Jaz Erenberg transformed the alley into a colorful pedestrian corridor, bridging institutional and community boundaries while showcasing how small-scale art interventions can elevate everyday infrastructure into cultural landmarks.
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This project brought MICA into the Falls Gateway Masterplan, aligning the college with Midtown’s broader vision for the corridor. It expanded MICA’s role as a creative partner and laid the groundwork for future art, lighting, and placemaking projects along Falls Road.
