Baltimore Sister Cities

baltimoresistercities.org

Upcoming Sister City Events

A list of upcoming events organized or supported by Baltimore Sister Cities and our sister city committees (Changwon, South Korea; Gbarnga, Liberia; Kawasaki, Japan; Luxor & Alexandria, Egypt; Odesa, Ukraine; Piraeus, Greece; Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Xiamen, China) and our affiliates. Events include:


April 24, 2026

Elevating Baltimore’s Asian Community Stories 

Time: 1-2pm ET
Location: Online Event
More information & to register: www.eventbrite.com/e/bnha-hands-on-history-series-elevating-baltimores-asian-community-stories-tickets-1979746224250

Some of the least known and understood communities across the Baltimore region are those with roots in Asia. They are also some of the most diverse and complex communities in greater Baltimore in terms of history, culture, and art. Dr. Joanna Pecore, Director of the Asian Arts & Culture Center (AA&CC) at Towson University, introduces some of these communities and the intersecting initiatives that AA&CC leads and participates in to promote, document, and share knowledge about them with a broader public.

This event will be recorded and made available online on the Youtube channels of Towson University Asian Arts & Culture Center and The Peale approximately one week after the event.

An event brought to you by the Baltimore National Heritage Area and hosted by The Peale community museum. Towson University Asian Arts & Culture Center is an event partner.

Maryland event for SelectUSA

International Visitors to SelectUSA are invited to join Maryland Department of Commerce for an exciting SelectUSA Spinoff program in College Park with curated site visits across Maryland, April 30 – May 1, 2026. The Spinoff will highlight Maryland’s innovative leadership in “lighthouse” industry sectors that are guiding Maryland toward a new era of economic growth including: Life Sciences, Aerospace, Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Quantum, and Artificial Intelligence. Experience Maryland first-hand through site visits and virtual reality experiences. The event is free but registration required.

More information: business.maryland.gov/maryland-selectusa-2026-spinoff-tour/


May 1–31, 2026

Asia North Festival

The annual ASIA NORTH festival, co-produced by Towson University Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership, celebrates Baltimore’s Charles North – a.k.a. Station North – neighborhood’s constantly evolving identities as a Koreatown, arts district, and creative hub. Baltimore Sister Cities’ Asian sister city committees (Changwon, South Korea; Kawasaki, Japan; Xiamen, China) are providing programming during this festival. Program includes:

Asia North art exhibitions

Shoes at the Door, curated by Dylan Kaleikaumaka Hill
Dates: Friday May 1 – Sunday May 31
Exhibition locations: SNF Parkway Theatre (5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201) and Currency Studio (18 W North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201)
Shoes at the Door brings together works by seventeen APIMEDA-identifying artists living in the greater Baltimore and DMV region whose artworks consider hospitality as a malleable practice shaped by diaspora, cultural tradition, inheritance, colonial commodification, and celebration. 
More information

Queer Manifesto
Dates: Friday, May 1 – Wednesday, May 27
Location: The Club Car, 12 W North Ave, Baltimore MD 21201
AREA 405 presents Queer Manifesto, a pop-up exhibition featuring poems and visual collages of twenty-one (21) East and Southeast Asian queers, in collaboration with the Wishing Fountain Project, a virtual diasporic queer ESEA art book library.
More information

Asia North 2026 Opening Event

Date/time: Friday May 1, 5-9pm
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
After-party: 9pm KPOP & LOCK IT, The Club Car, 12 W North Ave, Baltimore MD 21201

Program at SNF Parkway Theatre includes food provided by Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee; taiko drumming sponsored by Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee. Program includes Korean samulnori percussion performance.
More information and to RSVP

The Past, Present, and Future of Baltimore Koreatown

Date/time: Sunday May 17, 4-7:30pm
Starting Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Program includes Walking Tour, Korean Traditional Dance, Panel Discussion, and Reception. Organized by Baltimore-Changwon Sister City Committee.
Advance registration required.
More information and to register

And much more! See the details and the complete schedule at the Asian Arts & Culture Center website and Station North website. Registration for most of these events is available via the Asian Arts & Culture Center’s Eventbrite page.

The 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

Logos for Asia North, Towson University Asian Arts and Culture Center, Station North Arts District, Central Baltimore Partnership

May 3, 2026

Annual “Around the World Embassy Tour” in Washington, DC

Participants can travel the world as they experience the food, art, dance, fashion and music of different countries. In the past, visitors have been treated to karate demonstrations, sari wrapping lessons, dance performances and more!

More information and list of participating embassies

Born in Fire: Queer Asian Crafting Workshop

Time: 3:30-5:30pm ET
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Admission: Advance registration required; max 15 spots
More information and to register

The Year of the Fire Horse is here! What parts of you were shaped by passion or struggle and are ready to be expressed? Come collage, paint, and create with us in queer Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern, and Desi American (APIMEDA) community. Make your own mini canvas and/or add to a collective piece – supplies included. Snacks and refreshments will be provided by Blueprint Cafe!

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.


May 5, 2026

The Korean Diaspora in Baltimore and Beyond

Time: 5:30-7pm ET
Location: Motor House, 120 W North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201

Students from Johns Hopkins University present their original research exploring Black-Korean relations in Baltimore, Korean transnational adoptees, the Korean diaspora in Ellicott City, and artists in the global Korean diaspora. Dinner will be provided. Hosted by the Critical Responses to Anti-Asian Violence (CRAAV) Initiative at Johns Hopkins University.

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.


May 6, 2026

Asia North Kamayan Feast

Time: 6-8:30pm
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Admission: Tickets are $65; purchase by May 4
More info & to purchase tickets

Experience the intersection of food and culture at Asia North. Our annual Kamayan Feast transforms long banquet tables into edible canvases, with traditional Filipino fare served atop vibrant banana leaves. Practice the art of Kamayan (eating with your hands) alongside specialty cocktails and conversation. This year’s communal table features curated flavors from Frisco Baltimore and artisanal bakes from Barkada Breads.

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.


May 8-30, 2026

Katazomé: A Multidisciplinary Visual Art Exhibition 

Exhibition on view: May 8 – 30, 2026 
Exhibition opening: Friday, May 8, 2026, 6-9pm ET 
Artist talks: Saturday, May 16 and May 30, 2026, 2-5pm ET
Location: Gallery CA, 440 E Oliver Street, Baltimore, MD 21202  
Gallery hours: Monday-Friday: 12-4pm and by appointment 
Gallery website: https://galleryca.org/ 

Hiromitsu Hubbard and his mother, Donna R. Omata tell the story of Donna’s journey to Japan to study the ancient art of katazomé through a multidisciplinary visual art exhibition. Hiromitsu will present a series of new paintings inspired by Donna’s artwork and photographs, shown alongside her original katazomé work on handmade paper and fabric from the 1970s and 1980s. Through this exhibition, Hiromitsu and Donna share a personal family story of discovering cultural roots, intergenerational exchange, and transcending discrimination by finding identity through art and creativity. This exhibition is a program of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival and is supported by a 2025 Rubys Artist Grant, which is a program of the Robert W. Deutsch Foundation.

Promoted by Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee (BKSCC).

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.


May 8, 2026

Asia North Exhibition Curator Tour: Art Walk W/ Dylan K. Hill 

Time: 5pm
Starting location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Admission: Free; registration required
More info & to register

Join Dylan K Hill, curator of this year’s Asia North exhibition Shoes at the Door for Station North’s May Art Walk! Hill will give Station North Art Walk participants a tour of the exhibition starting at the Parkway Theatre and lead us to the opening of Katazomé at Gallery CA.

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

Japanese film: School in the Crosshairs

Time: 6:30pm ET
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
More information & tickets

The SNF Parkway is proud to present a new 2K transfer of HOUSE director Nobuhiko Obayashi’s SCHOOL IN THE CROSSHAIRS! In this stylish adaptation of the celebrated Japanese sci-fi novel, psychic Tokyo high schooler Yuka must face off against an evil alien invader as he schemes to turn her classmates into brainwashed fascists. With its eye popping visuals and timely message, SCHOOL IN THE CROSSHAIRS is a must-see for fans of HOUSE.

Film follows a screening of the visual essay “A MOVIE: Nobuhiko Obayashi’s Cinematic Life” from film essayist Max G. Robinson and producer/editor Brandon Soderberg.


May 9, 2026

Annual “European Union Open House” in Washington, DC

This flagship event falls every year on the first Saturday after Europe Day on May 9. This date marks the signing of the Schuman Declaration on May 9, 1950, which established the European Coal and Steel Community, a multinational entity that would eventually become the European Union as we know it today.

The European Union (E.U.) celebrates Europe Day by opening its doors to the public in Washington D.C. so that Americans can catch a glimpse of the European cultures that make up the European Union. And this year, the E.U. is celebrating 250 years of shared history, ideas, and achievements between Europe and the United States. Come and experience the past, present, and future of our relationship through the bonds that unite both sides of the Atlantic.

Program is 10-4pm ER at various European embassy buildings in D.C. The Netherlands and Ukraine are part of the program.

Schedule and more information


May 11, 2026

Conversation: Love Has Never Been a Popular Movement 

Time: 6-8pm ET
Location: Impact Hub Baltimore, 10 E North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21202
More information & to register

Explore the role and dynamics of heritage knowledge (a community’s group memory that enables a sense of belonging) across the Asian Diaspora. Interact with concepts and each other to practice ways to imagine futures with expanded notions of belonging and solidarity. Facilitated by Paul J. Koh (Towson University Professor of Education). Refreshments provided by Johns Hopkins Medicine Asian Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group.

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.


May 14, 2026

NAAAP Baltimore 2nd Thursdays AAPI Meet-Up

Time: 6-8pm
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Admission: $10 NAAAP Members, $15 Non-Members. Registration required by May 11.

In support of the theme for 2026’s AAPI month, “Strengthening Communities Together,” join us as we celebrate artists from the Baltimore area who are showcasing their work in the Asia North 2026 exhibit and strengthen our local community. Whether you are new to our community or already part of it, our event is welcome for all! NAAAP Baltimore’s Second Thursdays program brings together AAPI professionals and local leaders and provides further insights about about upcoming events and opportunities.

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.

Dil Dil Desi: South Asian Dance Social

Time: 8pm – 12am ET
Location: Mobtown Ballroom & Cafe
Admission: Tickets required
More info & to purchase tickets

Join us for a high-energy night of non-stop dancing to the hottest beats from across the subcontinent. From Bollywood, Kollywood, Tollywood classics to the latest bangers, we’ve got it all lined up. Come dressed in your best desi fits or just as you are—the only rule is to bring the vibes and hit the dance floor! Don’t miss this epic night of music, dance, food, and community. Invite your friends! The more the merrier. See you on the dance floor!

Your ticket helps make it happen—the cost covers the venue and DJ, and any additional proceeds will be donated to a dedicated charity. Desi snacks and drinks will be available for purchase!

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.


May 15, 2026

Sticky Stars and Sheets: A Spoken Word Play

Time: 8-9:15pm
Location: The Club Car, 12 W North Ave, Baltimore MD 21201

Regie Cabico takes on queerphobia in the classrooms and the dive bars with poetic lyricism and self-effacing humor, and resilience. Cabico presents his signature performance of poetry and stories of Asian appropriation and the daily triggers he confronts from a multiverse that gets smaller stepping out of a pandemic and surviving dive bars, bathhouses, teen stalkers, as he tries to get his groove back.  

Regie Cabico: Writer & Performer; Mohammad Rohaizad Suaidi: Director & Dramaturg

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.


May 16, 2026

AAPI Heritage Month Celebration at the Maryland Zoo

Illustration of animals and plants on a patterned background, with the words "Asian American and Pacific Islander heritage month" Image is from the Maryland Zoo's May 16, 2026 event.

Time: 10am-4pm ET
Location: The Maryland Zoo, One Safari Place, Baltimore, MD 21217
More information: www.marylandzoo.org/event_series/aapi-heritage-month-celebration/celebration/

Celebrate Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month at the Maryland Zoo! Enjoy a day of fun entertainment, community vendors and resources, cultural activities, hands-on crafts, and special Zoo experiences including keeper chats and animal ambassadors. Event includes Chinese lion dancing, Korean dance performance, Hula performance, and Kpop dance workshop — along with kids crafts and educational activities.

The Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee (BXSCC) will have vendor’s booth at this event. Stop by the booth to learn more information about the committee’s activities. Proceeds will go to support this year’s edition of the Youth Ambassadors Program, an annual program organized by BXSCC, that provides Baltimore high school youth the opportunity to travel to Baltimore’s sister city of Xiamen and Maryland’s sister state of Anhui in China during the summer for a life-changing travel abroad experience. More information about BXSCC’s annual Youth Ambassadors program: bxscc.org/youth-ambassadors-program/


May 17, 2026

The Past, Present, and Future of Baltimore Koreatown

Left side of image lists the program and location, and photos of the speakers for the panel discussion
Right side: photo of the Koreatown walking tour in front of the mural of Mr Kim in Station North; photos of Korean cultural performances and SNF Parkway; the Asia North festival logo. Bottom of image: logos of the partners and sponsors, including: Maryland Historical Trust, Baltimore National Heritage Area, Station North Arts District, Central Baltimore Partnership, MIMA (Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs), KOBE Government Contracting Alliance, KCAMD, SNF Parkway (Home of the Maryland Film Fest), Towson University Asian Arts and Culture Center, BCSCC (Baltimore-Changwon Sister City Committee).


Date: Sunday May 17, 4-7:30pm
Starting Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Program includes Walking Tour, Korean Traditional Dance, Panel Discussion, and Reception.
Admission: Free. Advance registration required.
More information and to register

Join our guides for a walking tour of the Charles North neighborhood’s historical Koreatown landmarks and favorite food spots. Then, join us for an exclusive panel discussion in the Parkway Theater about Baltimore Koreatown’s past, present, and future. Our moderator is Jacqueline Shin, National Register Assistant at the Maryland Historical Trust. Our participating panelists are Shauntee Daniels, Executive Director of the Baltimore National Heritage Area; Phaan Howng, co-leader of the project for preserving Baltimore Koreatown; Angela Ra, Communications and Strategic Policy Manager at the Baltimore Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs; Matthew Lee, Founder/President & CEO of the FASTech, Inc. & A-Tech Systems, Inc. and President of KoBE Government Contracting Alliance; Myung Hwa Shin, President of the Korean Culture & Art of Maryland and business owner in Baltimore City, and Tae Wan Kim, a business owner for 30 years in Baltimore City. We will have a reception following the discussion with free Korean food.

This event is organized by the Baltimore-Changwon Sister City Committee and a program of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival. 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.


May 19, 2026

K-Movie: Our Season

Time: 7-9pm ET
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201

A mother returns to the world for three days after her death to spend time with her daughter, sharing meals and heartfelt moments. Directed by Yook Sang-hyon, 2023.

Hosted by the Korean Cultural Center, Washington, D.C.


May 20, 2026

Minute Monologues Generative Writing Workshop

Time: 7-9pm ET
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201
Admission: Advance registration recommended. Limited to 20 participants.
More information & to register

Create and share 1-minute monologues inspired by the Shoes at the Door art exhibit at the SNF Parkway Theatre. In this workshop, participants will be invited to explore their imaginative responses to the artwork exhibited through a series of writing prompts to create short monologues. Starting with a contemplation of the theme “hospitality” and its practice across cultural traditions, the workshop will culminate in a reading of the monologues generated over the course of the evening. Facilitated by Mohammad Rohaizad Suaidi, Adjunct Professor in Towson University’s Department of Theatre Arts.  

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.


May 21, 2026

Queer Asian Artist Gallery Walk and Talkback

Time: 6-8pm ET
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201

Join the Queer Asian Artist Gallery Walk and Talkback as part of the Asia North 2026 exhibition, Shoes at the Door. This free event invites participants to reflect on how queerness and Asian identity intersect in our daily lives. Together, we will enjoy a gallery walk of the exhibition as shared experience, followed by a facilitated talkback and dialogue with several queer artists from the show: Riya Devi-Ashby, Anna Davinagracia, Katherine Pon-Cooper, and AX Qin. The gathering is open to all. Refreshments will be provided.

Part of the 2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival, which is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.


May 27, 2026

Asia North 2026 Closing Event

Time: 5-9pm ET
Location: SNF Parkway Theatre, 5 West North Ave, Baltimore, MD 21201

Celebrate the conclusion of Asia North 2026. Congratulate the artists featured in Shoes at the Door. Enjoy performances by Soul of Persia and the Sutradhar Institute of Dance. Conclude the evening with a selection of APIMEDA film shorts curated by filmmaker Zara Kahan. Performances curated by Kandi Wong. Hosted by Adrianna Morgan.

2026 Asia North Exhibition and Festival is co-produced by Asian Arts & Culture Center and Central Baltimore Partnership.


June 5, 2026

Baltimore Immigration Summit

Time: 8am-4pm ET
Location: Morgan State University, 1700 E Cold Spring Ln Baltimore, MD 21202
More information: www.baltimorecity.gov/mima/event/13th-annual-baltimore-immigration-summit

The annual Baltimore Immigration Summit is a one-day event that brings together academics, policymakers, service providers, activists, community leaders, and others working with and for New Americans (immigrants and refugees) in our region. Baltimore and its surrounding suburbs represent an area with a growing and diverse New American population, and local governments view New Americans as essential to the region’s ongoing resurgence. The Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MIMA), Baltimore County, and Towson University host the summit. This year’s theme is Harbors and Bridges: Holding Ground and Uniting Communities.


June 6, 2026

Music: AniBand Matsuri Vol. 2

Time: 7-10pm
Location: Le Mondo, 406 N Howard St, Baltimore, MD 21201, USA
More info & tickets: www.lemondo.org/events/music-aniband-matsuri-vol-2

A night of anime music, J-pop and Japanese Rock from our Mid-Atlantic neighbors: HIBIKORD (NoVA), Eternal HOSHI (Jersey), and Kumori (DC), bringing their high-energy sets full of anthems and deep cuts to Baltimore.


June 20, 2026

Film screening: Humanity and Paper Balloons (人情紙風船 Ninjo Kami Fusen)

Image from the Humanity and Paper Balloons film (Japan Film Program 2026)

Time: 1pm ET
Location: Towson University Center for the Arts, Art Lecture Hall, Room 2032, 7700 Osler Drive, Towson, MD 21204
.
Admission: Free; advance registration required. To register, go to the film program webpage and click the RSVP link next to the film.

This bold, 1937 historical anti-military melodrama is a gem of Japanese cinema.  While following Edo-era slum residents—debilitated samurai, peasants, and petty merchants—and their struggles to survive, it exposes the hypocrisy and cruelty of high society. (black and white) Directed by Sadao Yamanaka.  82 minutes.

The Japan Film Program is organized by the Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee (BKSCC) in partnership with Towson University College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Dean’s Office , along with the Asian Arts & Culture Center at Towson University. Films are hosted by and from the private collection of Reed Hessler, longtime host on WBJC.


June 21, 2026 – June 27, 2026

Sister Cities International’s Youth Leadership Summit

Dates: Week of June 21, 2026
Location: Washington DC

This year, Sister Cities International (SCI)’s Youth Leadership Summit will take place in Washington D.C., which is located close to Baltimore. The Youth Leadership Summit is an immersive program for young leaders, ages 14-18, from across the globe. Designed to inspire the next generation of citizen diplomats, the Summit equips participants with essential leadership and professional development skills. Through interactive sessions and activities, students will address global challenges, fostering a commitment to peace, mutual respect, and cross-cultural cooperation. Several Baltimore Sister Cities youth members are participating in this program.

Baltimore Sister Cities is a member of Sister Cities International.


July 2026

Youth Ambassadors Student Travel Program to China

Photo of the participants in a previous year's edition of the Baltimore-Xiamen Youth Ambassadors Trip to China

Youth Ambassadors is an annual program organized by BXSCC, that provides Baltimore high school youth the opportunity to travel to Baltimore’s sister city of Xiamen and Maryland’s sister state of Anhui in China during the summer for a life-changing travel abroad experience. More information about BXSCC’s annual Youth Ambassadors program: bxscc.org/youth-ambassadors-program/

To contribute to our students’ efforts, click the “Donate” button on at the bottom of this page, then choose “Baltimore Xiamen” from the drop-down menu, and specify “Youth Ambassadors” in the “tell us why you donate” box. No amount is too small!


July 18, 2026

Film screening: Like Father Like Son (そして父になる Soshite Chichi ni Naru)

Image from the Like Father Like Son film (Japan Film Program 2026)

Time: 1pm ET
Location: Towson University Center for the Arts, Art Lecture Hall, Room 2032, 7700 Osler Drive, Towson, MD 21204
.
Admission: Free; advance registration required. To register, go to the film program webpage and click the RSVP link next to the film.

A ten-minute standing ovation followed the premiere of Like Father Like Son at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival. Two couples—from different classes and with contrasting parenting styles—discover that their six-year-old sons were switched at birth and embark on journeys of soul-searching, impossible decisions, and coming to terms with the meaning of family. (color) Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda. 120 minutes.

The Japan Film Program is organized by the Baltimore-Kawasaki Sister City Committee (BKSCC) in partnership with Towson University College of Fine Arts and Communication (COFAC) Dean’s Office , along with the Asian Arts & Culture Center at Towson University. Films are hosted by and from the private collection of Reed Hessler, longtime host on WBJC.


July 22-25, 2026

Sister Cities International 70th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration

Sister Cities International’s 70th Anniversary Homecoming Celebration, taking place July 22–25, 2026 in Washington, D.C. (located close to Baltimore), will unite global leaders, citizen diplomats, and community partners to honor seven decades of international cooperation and cultural exchange. This milestone underscores the organization’s enduring mission to build bridges across borders and strengthen people-to-people connections. It serves as both a homecoming and a launchpad, celebrating our past while inspiring a new era of global connection through storytelling, partnership, and dynamic engagement. Participants will play a key role in supporting meaningful dialogue, innovative collaboration, and the next generation of global engagement.

Circular seal image with Sister Cities International logo and these words: Sister Cities International 70th Anniversary Homecoming 1956-2026 Washington, DC.

The event includes:

  • 2026 SCI Annual Awards
  • 2026 SCI Annual Business Meeting
  • Citizen Diplomacy Educational Plenary Sessions
  • Embassy Visits
  • SCI Outgoing & Incoming Board Meetings

More information: sistercities.org/what-we-do/sci-events/70th-anniversary-homecoming/

Baltimore Sister Cities is a member of Sister Cities International.


July 31 – October 2, 2026

We Know Who They Are: Artworks and Narrative From the Invasion of Ukraine

Photo of people visiting the 'We Know Who They Are...' exhibition, with the words 'We Know Who They Are...'superimposed over the photo. Photo is from the 'We Know Who They Are...' (WKWTA) website.


Location: The Peale, 225 Holliday Street, Baltimore, Maryland, USA 21202
Opening reception: Friday, July 31, 6-8pm

We Know Who They Are… (WTWTA) is a comprehensive exhibition project featuring the artworks and wartime artifacts of over 20 Ukrainian artists. The traveling exhibition comes to Baltimore July 31–October 2, 2026 at The Peale museum. There will be several companion events during this time, hosted by The Peale in collaboration with the Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee and Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee.
More information


August 14, 2026

Film screening:
The Porcelain War: Art, Resistance, and the Human Story of Ukraine

Date/time: Friday, August 14, 2026 at 6pm
Location: The Peale museum, 225 Holliday Street Baltimore, Maryland, USA 21202
More information

In times of war, what role does art play? Can creativity protect identity, preserve culture, and offer hope amid devastation? Join us for a screening of The Porcelain War, an intimate documentary that follows Ukrainian artists creating and preserving beauty in the midst of invasion.

This event is a collaboration with Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee (BOSCC) and The Peale museum. It is a companion event to the ‘We Know Who They Are… (WTWTA)’ exhibition project featuring the artwork from Ukrainian artists.


August 15, 2026

Artists Panel Talk

Date/time: Saturday, August 15, 2026 at 2-4pm
Location: The Peale museum, 225 Holliday Street Baltimore, Maryland, USA 21202
More information

An interactive discussion with the curators of the “We Know Who They Are” exhibition and local artists that have ties to Ukraine.

This event is a collaboration with Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee (BOSCC) and The Peale museum. It is a companion event to the ‘We Know Who They Are… (WTWTA)’ exhibition project featuring the artwork from Ukrainian artists.


August 16, 2026

Ukrainian Arts and Crafts Afternoon

Date/time: Sunday, August 16, 2026 at 2-4pm
Location: The Peale museum, 225 Holliday Street Baltimore, Maryland, USA 21202
More information

An afternoon of activities for families and kids.

This event is a collaboration with Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee (BOSCC) and The Peale museum. It is a companion event to the ‘We Know Who They Are… (WTWTA)’ exhibition project featuring the artwork from Ukrainian artists.


September 16 – November 28, 2026

International Architecture Biennale Rotterdam (IABR)

IABR emphasizes the value of research by design. Central to this approach is a sustained commitment to fostering healthy and just cities that exist in balance with their surrounding ecosystems. Every two years, IABR presents its biennial manifestation in Rotterdam: an extensive public cultural program comprising exhibitions, debates, lectures, workshops, and guided tours. On this international platform, the imaginative power of architecture is explored and celebrated. The 2026 theme is Systems of Support – Building Shared Values. More info: IABR website

Promoted by Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee.


September 17, 2026

Virtual event:
Preserving Cultural Heritage in Times of Conflict: Lessons from Ukraine

Date/time: Thursday, September 17, 2026 at 12pm ET (Baltimore time) – 19.00 EET (Ukraine time) – 18.00 CET (Netherlands time)
Location: Online
More information

This virtual panel convenes museum professionals, cultural workers, and heritage advocates to explore the urgent question: How do we preserve and maintain cultural heritage in times of conflict?
Centering on the ongoing war and occupation of Ukraine, this program brings together international voices to examine the role of museums and cultural institutions in safeguarding collections, protecting sites, and sustaining cultural identity during crisis. The discussion will feature live-streamed presentations from speakers across multiple time zones, followed by a live, moderated Q&A session to encourage dialogue and exchange among participants.

This event is a collaboration with Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee (BOSCC), Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee (BRSCC), and The Peale museum. It is a companion event to the ‘We Know Who They Are… (WTWTA)’ exhibition project featuring the artwork from Ukrainian artists.


Oct 6-7, 2026

ONE Conference

The annual ONE Conference, held in The Hague in the Netherlands, is Europe’s prime cybersecurity event. A leading platform for sharing knowledge, best practices and research results. Topics range from highly technical subjects and law enforcement cases to less technical subjects, such as partnerships between the public and the private domain, governance and recent cybersecurity research.

Conference website: one-conference.nl

Promoted by Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee.


Nov 13, 2026

Stadmakerscongres 2026 (Citymakers Congress)

An annual 1-day congress that brings together Rotterdam neighborhood residents, professionals, students, and others to do workshops and discussions on specific themes, initiatives, and neighborhoods in the city. Coordinated by AIR (Architecture Institute Rotterdam) in partnership with the city government and other partners.

Congress website: stadmakerscongres.nl

Promoted by Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee.

Ballot topics for February 10, 2026 BSC Annual Membership Meeting

In the February 10, 2026 Annual Membership Meeting of Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc. (BSC), the following items (A, B, C) will be submitted for approval by the BSC membership. The meeting will be held online via Zoom at 6:00pm – 7:00pm ET. The information has been posted on this webpage so that members have a chance to review it before the meeting.

Who can vote in the BSC Annual Membership Meeting:

  • Members of BSC’s constituent sister city committees who have paid their 2026 membership dues — both Regular and Associate level members. (Honorary and Corporate members cannot vote, unless they are also a Regular or Associate member.)
  • Members of BSC that are “Unaffiliated” membership type (they do not belong to a sister city committee) and have paid their 2026 membership dues.

On this page below:

  • A. 2025 Accomplishments Report
  • B. 2026 Plan
  • C. Baltimore Sister City Board Elections
  • D. Sister City Committee Chairs

A. 2025 Accomplishments Report

(for BSC-level activities and activities for the constituent sister city committees)

View proposed 2025 Accomplishments Report (PDF, 4.3mb)

PDF was initially posted on: 2026-01-28 at 3:50pm ET
PDF was updated 2026-02-09 at 2:15pm ET:
• A note (red text) was added to p6, to indicate the 2025 financial numbers will be voted on in the Feb 24, 2026 board meeting instead of the Feb 10 Annual meeting.
• Total funds raised: Updated the numbers on the BRSCC and BXSCC pages
.
PDF was updated 2026-02-24 at 11:12am ET:
• Financial numbers were updated to match BSC’s latest financial records. This impacts BRSCC’s row on p6 and the total funds raised on the BCSCC, BLASCC, BOSCC, and BRSCC pages
.

After the 2026-02-24 Board meeting, the final PDF was posted here.

B. 2026 Plan

(for BSC-level activities and activities for the constituent sister city committees)

View proposed 2026 Plan (PDF, 1.8mb)

PDF posted on: 2026-01-28 at 3:50pm ET

After the 2026-02-24 Board meeting, the final PDF was posted here.

C. Baltimore Sister Cities Board Elections

Board of Directors

Below is the list of Baltimore Sister Cities board directors that represent sister city committees and other organizations on our board, as defined in our bylaws.

Persons indicated with an asterisk (*) and green highlight are nominees, up for election at this year’s Annual Membership Meeting on February 10, 2026. These nominations were made by the sister city committees and other organizations represented on the BSC, Inc. Board. Opposing nominations, if desired, can be made at the Annual Membership Meeting on February 10, 2026.

Persons WITHOUT an asterisk are in the middle of their board term and therefore NOT up for reelection on February 10, 2026.

OrganizationRepresentativeTerm (2 years)
BSC:Changwon (BCSCC) Representative:
Christian Oh *
2026 & 2027
Gbarnga (BGSCC) Representative:
Luana Kiandoli *
2026 & 2027
Kawasaki (BKSCC) Representative:
Tiffany Thompson *
2026 & 2027
Luxor-Alexandria (BLASCC) Representative:
Jon Davol
2025 & 2026
Odesa (BOSCC) Representative:
Karina Mandell *
2026 & 2027
Rotterdam (BRSCC) Representative:
Gary Davison *
2026 & 2027
Xiamen (BXSCC) Representative:
Hosea Chew
2025 & 2026
Mayor’s Office:Baltimore Mayor’s Office Representative:
Nina Themelis * (Director, Mayor’s Office of Government Relations)
2026 & 2027
MIMA:Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Representative:
Masuma Islam Lonczak
2025 & 2026
BDC:Baltimore Development Corporation:
[Position vacant until BDC finishes reorganization]
N/A
Create Baltimore:Create Baltimore (formerly BOPA):
[Position vacant until BSC receives direction from the City]
N/A

Notes:

  • The positions of the non-voting (a.k.a. co-opted) observers on the board are not approved at the Annual Membership Meeting — they are approved at Board Meetings (per BSC Bylaws Article 4.3). Currently there are no non-voting members of the board.
  • If a constituency anticipates that its Director may not be able to attend all scheduled Board meetings during their tenure, it can request Board approval for an Alternate Board Director to attend, with full voting rights, any future meetings that its Director is unable to attend. Alternate Board Directors are not approved at the Annual Membership Meeting — they are approved at Board Meetings (per BSC Bylaws Article 4.4).

Officers of the Board

The following list is informational only. Officers of the Board are elected at the 1st Board Meeting of the year following the Annual Membership Meeting. This year, the 1st Board Meeting is on February 24, 2026. The ballot topics for the Board Meeting will be distributed separately. The officers are not elected in the BSC Annual Membership Meeting, however they are all by definition voting Board Directors of BSC (per BSC bylaws Article 4.3).

Officer PositionPersonCurrent Term
BSC Inc. PresidentJohn Facelo2024 & 2025
(Ends at 1st board meeting of 2026)
BSC Inc. Vice PresidentNancy Taylor2025 & 2026
(Ends at 1st board meeting of 2027)
BSC Inc. TreasurerJay Gordon2025
(Ends at 1st board meeting of 2026)
BSC Inc. SecretaryToni Latimore2025 & 2026 Term
(Ends at 1st board meeting of 2027)

D. Sister City Committee Chairs

The following list is informational only. The chairs are elected by their committee members. The chairs are not elected in the BSC Annual Membership Meeting.

CommitteeChairTerm (2 years)
Changwon (BCSCC)Christian Oh2026 & 2027
Gbarnga (BGSCC)Luana Kiandoli2025 & 2026
Kawasaki (BKSCC)[Position vacant]
Luxor-Alexandria (BLASCC)Jon Davol2026 & 2027
Odesa (BOSCC)Karina Mandell2026 & 2027
Rotterdam (BRSCC)Rachel Sengers (Acting Chair)2026 & 2027
Xiamen (BXSCC)Chelsea Nakabayashi2026 & 2027

Baltimore Symphony Orchestra Tour

Time: October 24 – November 1
Location: Provided Below
Admission: Free & Open to the Public

Hangzhou

Dates: October 24–27, 2025
Location: Zhejiang Conservatory of Music and Zhejiang University

Joint concert with Hangzhou Philharmonic at Zhejiang Concert Hall
Opening the Seventh China–U.S. Sister Cities Conference

Xiamen

Dates: October 28–29, 2025
Location: Xiamen Philharmonic Orchestra and Xiamen Song & Dance Theatre

Visit to Gulangyu Island

Luncheon with Xiamen Municipal Government

Concert celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the Xiamen–Baltimore Sister City relationship

Xi’an

Dates: October 30, 2025

Performance at the Silk Road International Tourism Expo

Shanghai

Dates: October 31 – November 1, 2025

Performance at Shanghai Conservatory of Music

Attendees include members of the U.S. Consulate, American companies in Shanghai, and Chinese companies based in Maryland

For more information about the BSO and their international tour, visit BSOmusic.org.

Ballot topics for February 25, 2025 BSC Annual Membership Meeting

In the February 25, 2025 Annual Membership Meeting of Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc. (BSC), the following items (A, B, C) will be submitted for approval by the BSC membership. The meeting will be held online via Zoom at 6:00pm ET. The information has been posted on this webpage so that members have a chance to review it before the meeting.

Who can vote in the BSC Annual Membership Meeting:

  • Members of BSC’s constituent sister city committees who have paid their 2025 membership dues — both Regular and Associate level members. (Honorary and Corporate members cannot vote.)
  • Members of BSC that are “Unaffiliated” membership type (they do not belong to a sister city committee) and have paid their 2025 membership dues.

On this page below:

  • A. 2024 Accomplishments Report
  • B. 2025 Plan
  • C. Board Elections
  • D. Sister City Committee Chairs

A. 2024 Accomplishments Report

(for BSC-level activities and activities for the constituent sister city committees)

View proposed 2024 Accomplishments Report (PDF, 2.2mb)

Proposed PDF posted 2025-02-11 8:30pm ET
PDF was updated 2025-02-18 at 8:55pm ET (Total Assets and Deposits were updated on p3)
Final PDF posted on: 2025-02-25 9:20pm ET

B. 2025 Plan

(for BSC-level activities and activities for the constituent sister city committees)

View proposed 2025 Plan (PDF, 1.8mb)

Proposed PDF posted 2025-02-14 9:30pm ET
Final PDF posted on: 2025-02-25 9:20pm ET

C. Board Elections

Below is the list of board directors that represent sister city committees and other organizations on our board, as defined in our bylaws.

Persons indicated with an asterisk (*) and green highlight are nominees, up for election this year. These nominations were made by the sister city committees and other organizations represented on our BSC, Inc. board. Opposing nominations, if desired, can be made at the February 25, 2025 Annual Membership Meeting.

Persons WITHOUT an asterisk are in the middle of their board term and therefore NOT up for reelection on February 25, 2025.

OrganizationRepresentativeTerm (2 years)
BSC:Changwon (BCSCC) Representative:
Michelle Lee *
2025 only
Gbarnga (BGSCC) Representative:
Luana Kiandoli
2024 & 2025
Kawasaki (BKSCC) Representative:
Victoria Minka *
2025 & 2026
Luxor-Alexandria (BLASCC) Representative:
Jon Davol
2024 & 2025
Odesa (BOSCC) Representative:
Karina Mandell
2024 & 2025
Rotterdam (BRSCC) Representative:
Gary Davison
2024 & 2025
Xiamen (BXSCC) Representative:
Hosea Chew *
2025 only
Mayor’s Office:Baltimore Mayor’s Office Representative:
Nina Themelis (Director, Mayor’s Office of Government Relations)
2024 & 2025
MIMA:Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs Representative:
Masuma Islam Lonczak *
2025 & 2026
BDC:Baltimore Development Corporation Representative:
William Cawthern (Director of Baltimore Foreign Trade Zone #74)
2024 & 2025

Note: The positions of the non-voting (a.k.a. co-opted) observers on the board are not approved at the Annual Membership Meeting but at Board Meetings. Currently there are no non-voting members of the board.

Officers of the Board

The following list is informational only. Officers of the Board are elected at the 1st Board Meeting of the year immediately following the Annual Membership Meeting on February 25, 2025. Ballot topics for the Board Meeting will be distributed separately. The officers are not elected in the BSC Annual Membership Meeting, however they are all by definition voting Board Directors of BSC (per BSC bylaws Article 4.3).

Officer PositionPersonCurrent Term
BSC Inc. PresidentJohn FaceloJan 31, 2024 – Jan 31, 2026
BSC Inc. Vice PresidentNancy TaylorNov 18, 2024 – Feb 25, 2025
BSC Inc. TreasurerJay GordonDec 10, 2024 – Jan 31, 2026
BSC Inc. SecretaryToni LatimoreJan 1, 2025 – Feb 25, 2025

D. Sister City Committee Chairs

The following list is informational only. The chairs are elected by their committee members. The chairs are not elected in the BSC Annual Membership Meeting.

CommitteeChairTerm (2 years)
Changwon (BCSCC)Michelle Lee2025 only
Gbarnga (BGSCC)Luana Kiandoli2025 & 2026
Kawasaki (BKSCC)Michael Young (Chair)2025 & 2026
Victoria Minka (Co-Chair)2025 & 2026
Luxor-Alexandria (BLASCC)Jon Davol2025 only
Odesa (BOSCC)Karina Mandell2024 & 2025
Rotterdam (BRSCC)Rachel Sengers2024 & 2025
Xiamen (BXSCC)Xin (Cindy) Wang2025 only

July 11 / Baltimore Sister Cities fundraiser at Nando’s PERi-PERi

Time: Stop by anytime between 4pm to 9pm
Address: 421 W. Baltimore Street, Baltimore MD 21201
Website

For one night only, Nando’s PERi-PERi’s Baltimore Street location is donating 40% of its fundraising proceeds to Baltimore Sister Cities! Come join us at this restaurant, enjoy great food, and mingle for a good cause! In addition to its signature flame-grilled chicken dishes, PERi-PERi’s menu also includes some vegetarian options. Special thanks to the Baltimore-Gbarnga Sister City Committee for organizing this event!

Baltimore Sister Cities Fundraiser at Nando's PERi PERi on July 11, 2023

Announcements & Past Activities

Several programs, projects, and contributions organized or supported by Baltimore Sister Cities and our sister city committees (Changwon, South Korea; Gbarnga, Liberia; Kawasaki, Japan; Luxor & Alexandria, Egypt; Odesa, Ukraine; Piraeus, Greece; Rotterdam, the Netherlands; Xiamen, China) and our affiliates.
See also our list of upcoming events.


Maryland Global Gateway

The state of Maryland offers several programs for Maryland businesses to expand abroad, and for foreign companies to expand to the US using Maryland as a gateway. More info


Baltimore / Maryland delegation to China (October 2025)

Representatives from Baltimore Sister Cities (BSC) and its Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee (BXSCC), Maryland Department of Commerce, and Montgomery County attended the 7th China-U.S. Sister Cities Conference in Hangzhou city in China in October 2025. The conference featured an opening concert by the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra (BSO), during the orchestra’s multi-city tour of China. The delegation also visited Xiamen to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Baltimore-Xiamen sister city relationship. More information


Baltimore city delegation to Rotterdam (October 2025)

Faculty and staff from Johns Hopkins Institute for Planetary Health (JHIPH) and a Baltimore City delegation traveled to Rotterdam in October 2025 for a research trip, to attend the international Planetary Health Alliance’s Annual Meeting (PHAM) and to participate in a custom program of meetings and site visits in Rotterdam and Delft on themes of multi-functional nature-based solutions, water storage, flood resilience, public health, and more — to bring back ideas and inspiration for a healthier and more resilient future in Baltimore. More info


Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee collaborates with BHSEC-Baltimore high school (2023 -2024)

The Xiamen committee provides enrichment learning activities to the students from Bard High School Early College Baltimore (BHSEC-Baltimore) who are studying Chinese — including a calligraphy demonstration, lantern-making, a lunch at Orient Express in Charles Village, a field trip to the Chinese Embassy in Washington, DC, and a Lunar New Year celebration.


Baltimore & Gbarnga: 50 years of Sister Cities (2023)

Baltimore-Gbarnga Sister City Committee (BGSCC)

Baltimore’s first sister city relationship was established 50 years ago in 1973 with Gbarnga in Liberia. There are several special events throughout the year to commemorate the 50th anniversary. More information


Training the Trainers is a Gift that Keeps on Giving (2023)

Baltimore-Luxor-Alexandria Sister City Committee (BLASCC)

The Baltimore-Luxor-Alexandria (Egypt) Sister City Committee (BLASCC) and the Alexandria Sister City Committee collaborated to strengthen emergency/trauma nurse preparedness in Alexandria, Egypt.

BLASCC recruited Nora Mady, RN and Emergency Medical Technician, to train a team of emergency room nurses at the Egyptian High Institute of Public Health in Alexandria. These emergency nurses received 25 hours of training, tools and additional one-on-one coaching for the treatment of shock as well as cardiac, respiratory, neurological traumas. The training sessions also addressed the challenges of emergency treatment for special populations (pregnancy, pediatrics, trauma, burns, choking).

Nora Mady is a Registered Nurse with Inova Health Systems. She was in Egypt from Nov 12 -17, 2023, providing 5 hours of intensive training daily for one week at Alexandria Medical University.

More information: Project announcement | Post-training recap


Changwon Mayoral delegation visits Baltimore (2023)

Baltimore-Changwon Sister City Committee (BCSCC)

Changwon’s Deputy Mayor visited Baltimore in May 2023 with a delegation from Baltimore’s sister city of Changwon, South Korea. More information


Sister Cities International Young Artists & Authors Program (YAAS) (2023)

Youth in Baltimore, our sister cities around the world, and other locales that are part of Sister Cities International were invited to join this annual contest. The 2023 theme was “Peace by Piece: Food Security in My Community”.

In August 2023, 16-year-old ZHANG Jingwu from Baltimore’s sister city of Xiamen was named the second-place winner of the photography category for his piece “On the Field of Hope”. Jingwu described his photo as portraying “A bountiful harvest and boundless hope. The yellow grains in the sun form a golden ocean, and the terraced fields transformed from the hills are layered on top of each other, showing the hope of thriving in the sunlight. The golden sunlight renders the banana trees in the field emerald and gold, and the rich colors show the joy of the harvest in the mountains.” Oleksandra Volekova from Kremenchuk, Ukraine won second place for her essay “Pulling Together – My Community Gains Back Food Security.” She was entered into the contest via her connection to the Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee.

See the corresponding Sister Cities International webpage, winners announcement, and Xiamen Foreign Affairs Office social media post (in Chinese) for more details, including depictions of the young artists and their work.

Special thanks to Nacoya (Coya) Villegas from Baltimore Sister Cities and to the Baltimore-Xiamen Sister City Committee for coordinating Baltimore Sister Cities and Xiamen’s participation in the 2023 YAAS program. Thanks also to Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee for their contribution.


Architecture & urban design exchanges with Rotterdam

Baltimore-Rotterdam Sister City Committee (BRSCC)

Students and faculty from Morgan State University School of Architecture + Planning (MSU SA+P) traveled to Baltimore’s sister city of Rotterdam in the Netherlands in March 2023.

  • Trip travelogue for the March 2023 trip to Rotterdam
  • About the 2023 trip
  • Companion webinar series

Another exchange took place in March 2024.

  • Trip travelogue for March 2024 trip to Rotterdam
  • About the 2024 trip

Another exchange took place in 2025, when Morgan students traveled to Baltimore’s sister city of Rotterdam in March 2025, and community organizers and city planners from Rotterdam and Amsterdam traveled to Baltimore in April 2025.

  • About the 2025 two-way exchange
  • Trip travelogue for March 2025 trip to Rotterdam
  • Baltimore Department of Planning 2025 trip to Rotterdam

Another student trip to Rotterdam takes place in March 2026.

These exchanges are part of a growing ongoing collaboration that originally started as a joint studio by SA+P Professor Cristina Murphy and the Rotterdam Academy of Architecture and Urban Design (RAvB) in 2019 around the theme of the Just City. 


Blooming Rainbow Project (2021-2023)

Baltimore-Changwon Sister City Committee (BCSCC)

2021-2022

During 2021-2022, artists conducted “Blooming Rainbow” — a collaborative class with children, 5-15 years old, in Baltimore and South Korea to create abstract painting jointly together. In this program, children paint scribbles — they can express their feelings, impulsion or their favorite figures. The scribbles are then exchanged with the artists in Baltimore and Korea, who overlap color onto the scribbles. The children learn about the sister cities of Baltimore, Maryland USA and Changwon, South Korea, and learn about abstract art concepts and artists.

The program is coordinated by artists Ara Ko, Jack Koppert, and Huaqi Liu (graduate students in MICA’s LeRoy E. Hoffberger Painting MFA Program in Baltimore) and Chaeyeon Hong, Yongeun Kwon and Jaeeun Kim from Ewha University in Seoul, South Korea (who travel to Changwon to teach their group of students).

Learn more about the project here.

2023

The art exchange continues, with the Baltimore Changwon Youth Art Circle | BCYAC!

With the help of our partnerships, the workshops generated by this project serve to promote diversity and equal opportunity in both cities while gathering together artists and students in safe communal art spaces. Mentoring of historically underserved groups is crucial to develop a healthy feeling of self-worth and identity in our communities. Our participating artists seek to develop relationships with students based on mutual respect and affirmation of their self-worth, and maintain high expectations while using culturally responsive teaching practices.

The goal of this project is to establish the potential of growing fruit from small beginnings by illustrating and developing the innate ability of children through visual expression. By joining students with mature artists, it is hoped that the beauty of drawing with simple beginnings enhanced by artists will inspire students to realize their potential based on their own visual expression of their ideas.

Learn more about the project here.

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Blooming Rainbow Project

Blooming Rainbow class – making art
Blooming Rainbow class – making art
Blooming Rainbow class – writing names in English and Korean characters

During 2021-2022, artists conducted “Blooming Rainbow” — a collaborative class with children, 5-15 years old, in Baltimore and South Korea to create abstract painting jointly together. In this program, children paint scribbles — they can express their feelings, impulsion or their favorite figures. The scribbles are then exchanged with the artists in Baltimore and Korea, who overlap color onto the scribbles. The children learn about the sister cities of Baltimore, Maryland USA and Changwon, South Korea, and learn about abstract art concepts and artists. The program is coordinated by artists Ara Ko, Jack Koppert, and Huaqi Liu (graduate students in MICA’s LeRoy E. Hoffberger Painting MFA Program in Baltimore) and Chaeyeon Hong, Yongeun Kwon and Jaeeun Kim from Ewha University in Seoul, South Korea (who travel to Changwon to teach their group of students).

Baltimore-Changwon Sister City Committee (BCSCC) is a project partner.

Video about the Blooming Rainbow project

Exhibition – Summer 2022

The work is shown online on Instagram, and in an exhibition in summer 2022 in Baltimore, Maryland USA and Changwon, South Korea.

The opening was on June 10 at 7:00pm ET Baltimore time and on June 11 at 8:00 AM Changwon time and was livestreamed online. Dami S. Schlobohm was the MC at the opening show and performed music. Dami is a cellist and music teacher born in Seoul, South Korea and raised in Maryland.

Watch highlights from the exhibition opening event

The full-length recording of the event can be viewed on YouTube.

The artists who are leading this program

Artist Ara Ko with examples of her artwork
Artist Ara Ko
Artist Chae Yeon Hong
Artist Chae Yeon Hong
Blooming Rainbow hand-drawn logo with hand prints

2021 Year in Review: Baltimore Sister Cities

Annual Report & Plan

Baltimore Sister Cities Annual Accomplishments Report for 2021 (PDF, 3mb)

Baltimore Sister Cities Annual Plan for 2022 (PDF, 1.3mb)

Some of our 2021 highlights:

Photo collage of Baltimore Sister Cities 2021 activities - the activities are described in the report.

2nd photo collage of Baltimore Sister Cities 2021 activities - the activities are described in the report.

Help support Odesa, our sister city in Ukraine!

Baltimore-Odesa Sister Cities Fundraiser: Help support Baltimore's Sister City in Ukraine in its time of need! (photos of Mt Vernon Square in Baltimore; Odesa National Academic Theater of Opera and Ballet)

Donate via credit card or PayPal: Donate here

The Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee will use the full amount of your donation for humanitarian aid to citizens of Odesa, Ukraine and to the Ukrainian community in Baltimore.

If you prefer to pay by check (in US dollars): Make your check out to: BSC. Put “Odesa fundraiser” in the memo line. Mail it to Baltimore Sister Cities, 4701 East Lane, Baltimore MD 21210 USA.

Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc. is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. No goods or services are provided to you for this gift. Please consult your tax advisor regarding specific questions about your deductions.

About the Baltimore-Odesa sister city relationship

The Sister Cities International program was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1956 to create a force for international cooperation and understanding through community involvement by promoting peace through people-to-people relationships. The Baltimore Sister Cities (BSC) Program was established in the early 1970’s by then-Mayor William Donald Schaefer. The Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee (BOSCC) was established in 1974 and is the second oldest relationship managed by Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc, a non-profit 501c3 corporation.

A Tale of Two Cities: Baltimore and Odesa — The Role of Sister Cities in International Relations

Recording of a 2022 webinar hosted by Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee, where panelists discussed the connection between Baltimore and Odesa in light of current events at the intersection of public, private and government partnerships across the world which help promote international diplomacy.
youtu.be/QxAFORH3MDg

Interview on Baltimore radio

Listen to an interview on Baltimore’s WYPR radio station in 2022 with Karina Mandell, Chair, Baltimore-Odesa Sister City Committee, talking about Baltimore’s sister city of Odesa, Ukraine:
www.wypr.org/2022-02-25/baltmores-sister-odesa-ukraine

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Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc. is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization and donations are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law. No goods or services were provided for this gift. Please consult your tax advisor regarding specific questions about your deductions.

 

Web site copyright © 2026 Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc.

logo-baltimoreBaltimore sister city committees operate under the auspices of the City of Baltimore’s Office of the Mayor.

 

Brandon M. Scott, Mayor

 

Previous mayor’s Dec 2015 press release about Baltimore Sister Cities becoming a 501(c)(3).

 

Baltimore Sister Cities, Inc. is a 501c3 organization incorporated in the State of Maryland.
Member of  Sister Cities International, Maryland Nonprofits, World Trade Center Institute, Visit Baltimore, & affiliate of Maryland International Education Consortium.