10 Baltimore Artists You Should Support This Small Business Saturday

Detail of Birth of a Nation by Stephen Towns, one of the Baltimore artists to support this Small Business Saturday. Image courtesy of the artist.

Support Baltimore artists this Small Business Saturday with prints, ceramics, photography, and more. Shop local gifts that celebrate our creative community.

BY KAZEEM ADELEKE, ARTCENTRON

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND – Small Business Saturday isn’t just about supporting local shops—it’s a crucial chance to uplift the creative voices that give Baltimore its soul. From powerful figurative painters and experimental sculptors to community-focused makers, this city’s art scene thrives because of the people who live, work, and create here.

If you’re looking to shop small, shop local, and shop art, here are 10 Baltimore-based artists to support this Small Business Saturday—each bringing something bold, beautiful, and uniquely Baltimore to the table.

1. LaToya M. Hobbs—Printmaker & Painter

LaToya M. Hobbs is one of Baltimore’s most celebrated contemporary artists. She is recognized for her powerful woodcut prints and painted portraits that center Black womanhood and family life. Her work blends tradition with modern narrative, making her prints meaningful, collectible gifts.

Shop: Prints, original works, and exhibitions can be found through her official website and various Baltimore galleries.

2. Joyce J. Scott—Sculptor, Bead Artist, Cultural Icon

A living legend and Baltimore native, Scott’s work challenges assumptions about race, gender, and justice through breathtaking, intricate beadwork and sculpture. While her large works reside in museums, she occasionally offers smaller, limited-edition jewelry pieces made by hand.

Shop: Select galleries, museum shops, and occasional local announcements/releases are the best sources.

3. Ernest Shaw Jr.—Painter

Ernest Shaw Jr. creates vibrant, expressive portraits rooted in the African diaspora, spirituality, and history. Named one of Baltimore’s most influential modern artists, Shaw’s work is regularly shown in local institutions and is highly sought after by collectors.

Shop: Galleries, local shows, and select print releases.

4. Shan Wallace—Photographer & Collage Artist

A Baltimore-born photographer and visual storyteller, Shan Wallace is known for her striking collage work and documentary-style photography celebrating everyday Black life. Her zines, prints, and photographs are perfect for anyone who loves bold, socially aware art.

Shop: Online print shop, photography books, and local pop-ups.

5. V. Walton—Ceramic Artist

Working in clay and natural materials, V. Walton creates tactile vessels and sculptural pieces that feel deeply grounded in nature. Their work has been featured at the Baltimore Museum of Art and in local studio exhibitions. Smaller ceramics make beautiful, functional gifts.

Shop: Studio sales, Baltimore craft markets, and gallery showcases.

6. Benjamin Jancewicz—Illustrator & Graphic Artist

Known for his bold, socially conscious illustrations, Jancewicz blends graphic design, portraiture, and political commentary with unmistakable Baltimore flair. His prints and apparel are unique, affordable gifts for art lovers who appreciate art with a message.

Shop: Visit his online store for prints and apparel, and check for his presence at local maker markets.

7. Elissa Blount Moorhead—Interdisciplinary Artist & Filmmaker

Elissa Blount Moorhead’s work explores Black life, archives, domesticity, and future histories through film, installation, and photography. While some of her work is conceptual, she also releases prints, books, and screenings accessible to local audiences.

Shop: Books, limited prints, and screenings tied to Baltimore cultural spaces.

8.Stephen Towns—Painter & Mixed-Media Artist

Stephen Towns blends quiltmaking, portraiture, and historical narratives to highlight Black labor, resilience, and beauty. His richly detailed works are highly collectible, and he occasionally offers small-scale works, prints, and catalogues.

Shop: Studio releases, gallery exhibitions, and online shop items.

9. Waymond Harrison—Mixed-Media Artist

Recently featured in a 2025 solo exhibition at Maryland Art Place, Waymond Harrison works with layered materials, texture, and abstraction to explore memory and color. His originals and smaller works offer accessible entry points for collectors.

Shop: Maryland Art Place, studio visits, and local showings.

10. Michael Kirby—Muralist & Street Artist

Baltimore-born street artist Michael Kirby transforms spaces with powerful 3D murals and lush visual illusions. While his large-scale works are public landmarks, he also offers prints and smaller pieces that capture the energy of Baltimore’s street art landscape.

Shop: Artist website, print shops, and special releases.

Why Supporting Baltimore Artists Matters

When you buy a piece of art from a local creator, you’re doing more than completing a holiday gift list:

You’re preserving Baltimore’s cultural identity.
You’re helping artists pay for materials, studio rent, and exhibitions.
You’re reinvesting directly in neighborhoods like Station North, Highlandtown, and Bromo Arts District.
You’re giving a gift that carries a story—and supports the hands that made it.

Small Business Saturday is the perfect moment to discover new voices, revisit longtime favorites, and fill your home with the creativity that makes Baltimore shine.