Amy Sherald. Ecclesia (The Meeting of Inheritance and Horizons). 2024. Courtesy of the artist and Hauser & Wirth. © Amy Sherald. Photo by Kelvin Bulluck.
The Baltimore Museum of Art stands with Amy Sherald in a landmark move, reviving her canceled exhibition American Sublime this fall.
BY KAZEEM ADELEKE, ARTCENTRON
BALTIMORE, MARYLAND -The Baltimore Museum of Art stands with Amy Sherald—a bold and timely statement that now carries new weight. In the wake of the controversial cancellation of American Sublime at the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery, the Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) is stepping forward with conviction. Opening November 2, 2025, the BMA will present Amy Sherald: American Sublime, the most comprehensive exhibition of the artist’s career to date. It features nearly 40 works, spanning two decades. This landmark show not only celebrates Sherald’s artistic brilliance but also underscores the institution’s unwavering support for her vision.
For Sherald, this exhibition is more than a retrospective—it’s a homecoming. “Baltimore has always been part of my DNA as an artist. Every brushstroke carries a little of its history, its energy, its people, and my time there. To bring this exhibition here is to return that love,” she said. A graduate of the Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA), Sherald developed her signature style during her formative years in Baltimore. The BMA was among the first institutions to acquire her work. Planes, Rockets, and the Spaces in Between entered the museum’s collection in 2018 and has consistently championed her career.
The city is giving back. In addition to hosting the exhibition, the museum will honor Sherald with the “Artist Who Inspires” award at the annual BMA Ball on November 22. The event will highlight her deep roots and lasting influence on the city’s cultural landscape.
The decision to bring Amy Sherald: American Sublime to Baltimore follows a high-profile withdrawal from the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery. Sherald pulled the exhibition after concerns that her powerful painting Trans Forming Liberty—a reimagining of the Statue of Liberty as a Black transgender woman—would be excluded due to potential political backlash. Rather than compromise the integrity of her work, Sherald chose a venue where her voice and vision would be fully supported. This is why the Baltimore Museum of Art stands with Amy Sherald to celebrate her uncensored art.
Curated by Sarah Roberts of the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA), where the exhibition premiered in 2024, American Sublime also traveled to the Whitney Museum of American Art before its current stop in Baltimore. The BMA’s presentation has been reimagined by Director Asma Naeem in collaboration with curators Cecilia Wichmann, Antoinette Roberts, and Dylan Kaleikaumaka Hill.
Visitors can expect to see some of Sherald’s most iconic works, including:
These works exemplify Sherald’s masterful approach to portraiture—one that blends realism, symbolism, and cultural commentary in striking and evocative ways. The fact that the Baltimore Museum of Art stands with Amy Sherald on this issue means her work will be fully presented.
Sherald’s creative journey often begins behind the lens. She photographs everyday people—often strangers—selected for their presence, individuality, and aesthetic flair. The resulting portraits, however, are anything but ordinary. Sherald styles her subjects in carefully curated clothing, imbuing each image with layers of meaning. She draws inspiration for titles from literary giants like Toni Morrison and Lucille Clifton, further embedding her work within the broader tradition of Black storytelling. Her rich narrative style enables her to craft portraits that feel both deeply personal and broadly resonant. These portraits capture the complexities of race, identity, and belonging in the American experience.
Coinciding with the exhibition is the release of Sherald’s first-ever comprehensive monograph. This richly illustrated publication explores her artistic philosophy, influences, and process. Contributors include curator Sarah Roberts, along with cultural thought leaders such as Elizabeth Alexander, Dario Calmese, and Rhea Combs. For those who want to go beyond the gallery walls, there is the monograph. It offers a deeper understanding of the ideas driving Sherald’s practice and the cultural conversations her work continues to ignite. This is a bold statement, and the Baltimore Museum of Art stands with Amy Sherald in ensuring her works are more accessible to art lovers.
As BMA Director Asma Naeem puts it, “Amy Sherald’s work resonates because it centers humanity with grace and dignity. Hosting American Sublime in Baltimore is more than an exhibition. It’s a celebration of creativity, resilience, and the unyielding power of artistic truth.” The Baltimore Museum of Art stands with Amy Sherald, and this exhibition proves it.
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