Many of Baltimore’s neighborhoods make great places for designers to visit. The Bromo Tower Arts District is a relatively new addition to Baltimore. Established in 2012, Bromo Tower Arts District occupies a space just north of the Emerson Bromo-Seltzer Tower for which it was named. The district was established as a way for the area to become a fully realized downtown arts neighborhood. The area contains a plethora of venues to entice the artistically minded visitor, from numerous galleries to performance spaces and theaters.
The Bromo Tower Arts District is home to almost too many organizations and venues to name, but there’s something for just about everyone there. Notable galleries include Gallery Four, which encourages artists to create large-scale works and installations; Arte Factory, which features many pieces made from discarded and recycled objects and materials; and XOL, which is dedicated to providing a place for young Middle Eastern artists to create and display their work. The district contains several performance spaces, including the Annex Theater, Everyman Theatre, and even the historic Hippodrome Theatre. If you’re looking for historical inspiration, the Maryland Historical Society can be found here. Even the shops in the Bromo Tower Arts District lean towards the artistic, such as Neighborhood Fiber Co. yarn shop, AT Jones & Sons Costume Shop, and Pipes Dreamz Clothing.
The district’s namesake, the Bromo Seltzer Arts Tower, is itself an iconic Baltimore landmark. The tower was constructed in 1911 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Built by Captain Isaac Emerson, inventor of Bromo Seltzer, it was modeled after the Palazzo Vecchio in Florence, Italy. The tower’s most distinguishing feature, and most recognizable sight in the district, is the still-functioning tower clock, which shows the words BROMO SELTZER instead of numbers. In 2007, the Baltimore Office of Promotion & The Arts began renovations on the tower, turning the 15-story building into 33 artists’ studios. The tower regularly holds open houses of the studios for visitors.
Whether you’re looking for art galleries or theaters, shops or historic landmarks, the Bromo Arts Tower District has something for everyone!
This post is part 4 of our “Bmore Inspired in Baltimore” series. See part 1, part 2 and part 3 here.
Image Credit: BKL
Mitch is a volunteer copywriter for AIGA Baltimore. In the real world, he’s usually indulging in
gaming of some kind, controller or dice in hand. Find him on Twitter at @mc_mittens.
