In the News
March 22, 2023
Congratulations to the winners of the Ellene “Brit” Christiansen Memorial 3rd annual virtual art contest for 2023, “Express Yourself."
Winners by Category
ADULT
- First place - Tyree Brown “With Pride”
- Second place - Denise Pfaff “At Peace"
- Third place - Zach Manuel “Dreaming Woman”
SECONDARY
- First place - Timothy Taylor “Universal Baller”
- Second place - Kayden Stowell “Hockey is for Everyone"
- Third place - Kalia Peay “You’re Welcomed Maui”
ELEMENTARY
- First Place - Mawin 'Max' Seehui “Still Life with Fruit
- Second place - Shaher Ehsan “Express Yourself”
- Third place - Zayrion Scott “Cat Bee”
A special thanks to our dedicated art contest judges: Sara Egorin-Hooper, Farrell Maddox, and Michael Seipp. We had 50 entries this year and we know it is a really difficult job to judge the artwork! We appreciate you!
Sincerely, Tricia Lane-Forster, President of the Brit Board
January 26, 2023 - Update: New Juror Added!
Michael Seipp, Master Screen Painter
I am a Baltimorean, born and raised. I grew up in the Belair Edison neighborhood and went to Roman Catholic Schools. My Great Uncle and Grandfather had a seafood business in Highlandtown on Eastern Ave. When I was a boy, I would ride my bike through the streets of east and southeast Baltimore to their shop and to play in Patterson Park. When cycling through the streets I always marveled at the outdoor art galleries created by the Baltimore painted screens.
Many years later I met the City Folklorist, Elaine Eff, and she renewed my interest in this uniquely Baltimore Art.
In 2014 I took a class in painted screens at Common Ground on the Hill from Master Screen Painter John Iampieri. From that day forward I have been hooked on helping in the resurgence of painted screens in my city. I apprenticed with John in 2022 and now am a Master Painted Screen Artist.
As a member of the Painted Screen Society of Baltimore I have had the pleasure of getting to know the other Painted Screen Artists and learning from them.
My work can be seen both in southeast, northeast and southwest Baltimore. I have had several exhibits and teach classes in and around Baltimore Metro Area. I was invited to exhibit and demonstrate my work at the National Conference of Folk Art. I am a member of the Hamilton Art Gallery Co-Operative and have work in the Off Track Art Gallery in Westminster.
My goal is to leave no neighborhood unadorned with a painted screen.
Returning 2021/2022 Jurors are:
- Sara Egorin-Hooper
Retired Supervisor of The Alternate Maryland School Assessment, Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders & Programs for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities ages 3 thru 21 in Baltimore County Public Schools - Farrell Maddox
Retired Supervisor of Baltimore County Public School's Office of Visual Arts
December 20, 2022
The Ellene “Brit” Christiansen Memorial is excited to announce our third annual virtual art contest for artists with disabilities who reside in Maryland.
This year’s theme is “Express Yourself” and the three age categories are Elementary, Secondary, and Adult.
Deadline for submissions is February 20, 2023.
Email any questions and inquiries to [email protected]
June 23, 2022
Congratulations to the winners of our 2022 Contest for Artists with Disabilities "Emerge, Seek, Connect” in the Spirit of Ellene "Brit" Christiansen."
Winners by Category
ADULT
- First place - Alex Fitzgerald "The History of Disability Rights and Inclusion"
- Second place - Donald Wallis "Untitled"
- Third place - Nginou Nkongolo "Meditation"
SECONDARY
- First place - Taylor Diggs "Observational Portrait of Coretta Scott King"
- Second place - Lawrence Sapp "The Shift of Purpose"
- Third place- Mariyah Redman "Many Mariyah's"
ELEMENTARY
- First Place - Adleigh-Rose McDowell "Turtle Return"
- Second place - Shaher Ehsan "Firefly from the Jar"
- Third place - Jackson Bahr "Untitled"
December 12, 2021
The Ellene “Brit” Christiansen Memorial is excited to announce our second annual virtual art contest for artists with disabilities who reside in Maryland.
This year’s theme is “Emerge, Seek, Connect” and the three age categories are Elementary, High School, and Adult.
Deadline for submissions is February 21, 2022.
Email any questions and inquiries to [email protected]
April 13, 2021
Congratulations to the winners of our 2021 Contest for Artists with Disabilities-Art Created During the Pandemic-"OPTIMISM, RESILIENCE, HOPE," in the Spirit of Ellene "Brit" Christiansen."
Winners by Category
ADULT
- First place - Tyree Brown "Big Little Brother"
- Second place - Alex Fitzgerald "Exoskeleton"
- Third place - Tommy Roberts "Bird of Paradise"
HIGH SCHOOL
- First place - Michael Greaves "Counter from the Abyss"
- Second place - Kayla Burroughs "Take My Hand"
- Third place-Skylar Parr "Covid Winter"
ELEMENTARY
- First Place - Almass Ali "My First Day of Virtual Class"
- Second place - Shaher Ehsan "Fall Tree Reflection"
- Third place - Paolo Alvarez "Leaf Animals"
“Ellene loved children and loved sharing her enthusiasm and artistic abilities especially with children with disabilities. She felt it important for all children to create their own works of art and become inspired to think freely. The goal of this memorial is to continue Ellene’s dream of enabling young people with disabilities to think creatively and recognize their abilities—not their limitations.”
December 23, 2020
In our discussions as a board, we have been searching for ways to provide resources to artists of all ages with disabilities in Maryland during the pandemic.
We are very excited to announce our first Juried Art Contest for Artists with Disabilities-Art Created During the Pandemic-“OPTIMISM, RESILIENCE, HOPE,” in the Spirit of Ellene “Brit” Christiansen for artists age 5 and up.
Update: Jurors Added!
- Sara Egorin-Hooper
Retired Supervisor of The Alternate Maryland School Assessment, Autism Spectrum and Related Disorders & Programs for Students with Significant Cognitive Disabilities ages 3 thru 21 in Baltimore County Public Schools - Farrell Maddox
Retired Supervisor of Baltimore County Public School's Office of Visual Arts - First Lady Yumi Hogan
Artist and First Lady of the State of Maryland
October 16, 2020
Brit Board member and artist Dan Keplinger, King Gimp’s Public Private Conversations art display is on exhibit at Towson Town Center 4th floor near Starbucks.
Watch his video to learn more.
July 13, 2020
The Board is saddened to share the news that our Past President and dedicated disability rights advocate, Charles David Ward, died May 8, 2020.
A memorial service will be held on May 8, 2021, at 11:00am (email us for details). An obituary can be accessed in Baltimore Sun, Saturday, May 15, 2020.