Beaming lighthouses, seascapes with crashing waves, cottages under puffy clouds. It was common in the 1950s for windows in East Baltimore rowhomes to be adorned with painted screens. Now it’s a rare treat.
Painted screens grew popular for a practical reason: They block the interior of your home from prying eyes. Folklorist Elaine Eff tells about the origin of this artform, and Highlandtown Gallery owner Felicia Zannino-Baker talks about preserving and promoting painted screens today.
Find out about tours at Highlandtown Gallery, and other screen-related events. Learn about the Painted Screen Society here.
Do you have a question or comment about a show or a story idea to pitch? Contact On the Record at: Senior Supervising Producer, Maureen Harvie she/her/hers mharvie@wypr.org 410-235-1903 Senior Producer, Melissa Gerr she/her/hers mgerr@wypr.org 410-235-1157 Producer Sam Bermas-Dawes he/him/his sbdawes@wypr.org 410-235-1472
