One Annapolis: A Community Art Project
Tax deductible
One Annapolis: A Community Art Project has the goal of bringing together the Annapolis Community through celebration and memorialization of recent history, and collaborating with all cultures by way of a community art project.
The Maryland Cultural and Conference Center (MC3), formerly known as Maryland Theatre for the Performing Arts (MTPA), is debuting a new vision for the Annapolis arts community with the One Annapolis Community Art Project. The project features a vibrant mural created by renowned artist Comacell Brown and is painted on the wall adjacent to MC3’s StageOne at Park Place.
The mural itself memorializes Carr’s Beach, a historical landmark in the Annapolis community that catered to Black audiences. Performances often attracted tens of thousands of people; its impact on the community was significant. Carr’s Beach hosted several notable artists including Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Ray Charles, James Brown, Little Richard, Etta James, and Aretha Franklin. Today, Carr’s Beach is rarely recognized for its integral part in Annapolis’s rich cultural history. For more information about this historical venue, see: http://upstart-annapolis.com/ago-carrs-beach/
"This mural presents MC3 and The City of Annapolis with an exciting opportunity to commemorate the historical relevance of Carr's Beach. In alignment with MC3’s mission to provide equitable access to innovative and diverse arts programming to the Greater Annapolis region, we recognize that Carr's Beach was our city's original presenter of culturally diverse entertainment that celebrated the performing arts' power to unite a community”- MC3 Board Member and Project Lead, Dr. Eric Elston.
On May 22nd, 2021, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held with performances and special guests, and local officials presented Comacell and MC3 with two historical citations. The project will conclude as Comacell showcases more of his work in our gallery space, along with an artist reception highlighting Comacell Brown (Cell Spitfire) and additional professional and students artists from the community. Watch a recap of the event created by Chesapeake Bay Magazine HERE .
Project Updates:
Phase 1: A historical discussion was presented by MC3 in conjunction with Maryland Day on Youtube on March 19th, 2021. The panel included local historian Janice Hayes-Williams, Founder of the Blacks of The Chesapeake, Vince Leggett, Corey Lewis of the Maryland State Archives, Delegate Shaneka Henson, and Mural Artist, Comacell Brown. Watch the discussion HERE.
Phase 2: The mural was created from April 6-16th, 2021. Cell brought out a team of artists and students from The Box of Rain Program participated as well.
Phase 3: The final step of the project, Comacell's artist reception, is on June 25th from 6-9pm, and will feature a live paint from Cell, a talk back with the artists, and complimentary refreshments.
To follow the progress of this project or to get involved please visit and share the One Annapolis Community Art Project Gofundme and follow MC3 on Social Media @MC3Annapolis.
This project has been made possible, in part, by Annapolis Art in Public Places, Bates Legacy Center, Leadership Anne Arundel, Annapolis Heritage Commission, Four Rivers Heritage, and The Maryland State Archives.
*If you would like to receive donor recognition, please provide your email address when prompted by Gofundme.
Meet the artist:
Comacell Brown – Eye of Fire
Comacell Brown, aka Cell Spitfire, is a multi-disciplinary artist from Annapolis, Maryland, specializing in painting, graphic design, entrepreneurial skills, and local outreach through art. His clients include Lamar Jackson, 50 Cent, Jadakiss, Angela Davis, Young Jeezy, Cam Newton, Amara La Negra, Young Dylan, FUBU Frames, YBS Skola, PNB Rock, Kane Beatz, Ransom, FreeWay and the Ice City Click, Memphis Bleek, and more.
The Maryland Cultural and Conference Center (MC3), formerly known as Maryland Theatre for the Performing Arts (MTPA), is debuting a new vision for the Annapolis arts community with the One Annapolis Community Art Project. The project features a vibrant mural created by renowned artist Comacell Brown and is painted on the wall adjacent to MC3’s StageOne at Park Place.
The mural itself memorializes Carr’s Beach, a historical landmark in the Annapolis community that catered to Black audiences. Performances often attracted tens of thousands of people; its impact on the community was significant. Carr’s Beach hosted several notable artists including Billie Holiday, Duke Ellington, Count Basie, Ella Fitzgerald, Dinah Washington, Ray Charles, James Brown, Little Richard, Etta James, and Aretha Franklin. Today, Carr’s Beach is rarely recognized for its integral part in Annapolis’s rich cultural history. For more information about this historical venue, see: http://upstart-annapolis.com/ago-carrs-beach/
"This mural presents MC3 and The City of Annapolis with an exciting opportunity to commemorate the historical relevance of Carr's Beach. In alignment with MC3’s mission to provide equitable access to innovative and diverse arts programming to the Greater Annapolis region, we recognize that Carr's Beach was our city's original presenter of culturally diverse entertainment that celebrated the performing arts' power to unite a community”- MC3 Board Member and Project Lead, Dr. Eric Elston.
On May 22nd, 2021, a ribbon-cutting ceremony was held with performances and special guests, and local officials presented Comacell and MC3 with two historical citations. The project will conclude as Comacell showcases more of his work in our gallery space, along with an artist reception highlighting Comacell Brown (Cell Spitfire) and additional professional and students artists from the community. Watch a recap of the event created by Chesapeake Bay Magazine HERE .
Project Updates:
Phase 1: A historical discussion was presented by MC3 in conjunction with Maryland Day on Youtube on March 19th, 2021. The panel included local historian Janice Hayes-Williams, Founder of the Blacks of The Chesapeake, Vince Leggett, Corey Lewis of the Maryland State Archives, Delegate Shaneka Henson, and Mural Artist, Comacell Brown. Watch the discussion HERE.
Phase 2: The mural was created from April 6-16th, 2021. Cell brought out a team of artists and students from The Box of Rain Program participated as well.
Phase 3: The final step of the project, Comacell's artist reception, is on June 25th from 6-9pm, and will feature a live paint from Cell, a talk back with the artists, and complimentary refreshments.
To follow the progress of this project or to get involved please visit and share the One Annapolis Community Art Project Gofundme and follow MC3 on Social Media @MC3Annapolis.
This project has been made possible, in part, by Annapolis Art in Public Places, Bates Legacy Center, Leadership Anne Arundel, Annapolis Heritage Commission, Four Rivers Heritage, and The Maryland State Archives.
*If you would like to receive donor recognition, please provide your email address when prompted by Gofundme.
Meet the artist:
Comacell Brown – Eye of Fire
Comacell Brown, aka Cell Spitfire, is a multi-disciplinary artist from Annapolis, Maryland, specializing in painting, graphic design, entrepreneurial skills, and local outreach through art. His clients include Lamar Jackson, 50 Cent, Jadakiss, Angela Davis, Young Jeezy, Cam Newton, Amara La Negra, Young Dylan, FUBU Frames, YBS Skola, PNB Rock, Kane Beatz, Ransom, FreeWay and the Ice City Click, Memphis Bleek, and more.
Organizer
JULIANNA Raimondo
Organizer
Annapolis, MD
Maryland Theatre for the Performing Arts Inc
Registered nonprofit
Donations are typically 100% tax deductible in the US.
