PRESS & EVENTS
Baltimore MET Gala
Video produced by Lee & Wesley Creatives
Published September 26, 2023
Art Soiree
Artscape:B23 Pre-Launch Gathering
Hosted by Laurielle Noel & Ainsley Burrows
Video produced by Retji Dakum
September 21, 2023
Baltimore artist shows what to expect from this weekend's Artscape festival
BALTIMORE — With only days away from the beginning of Artscape, 11 News met one of the festival's featured artists to preview this year's free arts festival.
"Art is just this conduit that we use to inspire each other around the planet, or as human beings, to either fall in love, to create a business, or to get in shape, or to do anything," artist Ainsley Burrows said.
Paint-splattered floors begin to tell a story of the art created in the space curated by Burrows and his wife, Laurielle Noel. Burrows has been painting since 2009, and it represents a much-needed outlet to express his true self.
"The artist, and the art we create, is kind of the childlike wonder that's in everybody, and over growing up, a lot of people lose that," Burrows said.
He's one of many artists whose work will be on display during Artscape at the B-23 Art Exhibit.
"On a surface level, I'm hoping somebody sees something that's reflected in themselves and feel a connection. At a deeper level, I hope somebody sees something different or unconventional that it establishes a different pathway in their brain so now they've found a new way to think about themselves and the world," Burrows said.
With each stroke of the brush, he hopes to create a connection with every eye.
"To have that many people come to Baltimore, to see, and possibly see my work, it's amazing because I never did art to do shows. I did it (because) I wanted to do it and to be in this position, I'm very grateful," Burrows said.
Guinness poet 'burrows' into the word
Poet, musician and writer Ainsley Burrows has come too far in his career to be considered anything less than great.
Born and raised in Jamaica up to his teenage years, Burrows has gone through many journeys to find his way to passion for the spoken word. Recently, Burrows has added to his international fame as the face of a revolutionary new Guinness commercial, the theme of which is the 'Sounds of Greatness'.
But while Burrows has accomplished much through his creativity and ability to convey emotions through words, as a child, poetry was never a primary interest.
In a telephone interview the poet told The Sunday Gleaner "in high school I was more interested in writing songs; poetry was just something I had to take in school. I got involved when I went to school in the States, where I hung around a bunch of people who were interested in poetry".