The Art of Criticism

Openshaw Balcony Gallery

Maryland Hall and B.L.A.C.K. Excel Present The Art of Criticism Exhibit

This new exhibition by Dee Marqués features works by Deonte Ward aka Dee Marqués, Comacell Brown Jr. aka Cell Spitfire, Jamison Scott, Sheldon Pindell, Letita Scott and more. 

About Dee Marqués

Dee is an entrepreneur on a mission to empower youth. Ward, an Annapolis resident who grew up in Newtowne, credits mentorship for keeping him on a path of sports and academics after a youth spent in juvenile court. He aims to provide the same kind of guidance to the next generation of kids through his program B.L.A.C.K. (Becoming Leaders Acquiring Critical Knowledge) Excel.

About half of the students in B.L.A.C.K. Excel come to the organization through referrals from agencies and organizations such as local schools, the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, and the Newtowne Community Development Corporation.

In an interview with What's Up? Annapolis, Ward said, “I started focusing on career training, basic life skills, trade skills, professional development, and financial literacy. I realized a majority of my community members were not getting these things.”

Ward’s organization offers a wide range of 18-week, three-month, and nine-month curricula, including art, music, life skills, trade skills, and the STEM program. B.L.A.C.K. Excel is a Maryland Hall outreach partner and has been part of several collaborative projects for youth, most recently the One Annapolis mural painted on the Bates Athletic Track.

Dee works professionally as an artist and a carpenter. He is a recent graduate of the Leadership Anne Arundel program. Maryland Hall is proud to present this art show curated by Dee and celebrate his contributions to the youth in our community.