Theme: Industrial Afterglow
Acknowledging Baltimore’s industrial past and its impact on the city’s communities and landscapes. This theme would address environmental justice, labor, and the transformation of industrial spaces into creative hubs.

Industrial Afterglow explores the evolving relationship between humanity, technology, and the landscapes—both physical and digital—shaped by industry. This theme examines the lingering “afterglow” of industrial revolutions past while illuminating the new technological shifts of today, from automation to artificial intelligence. As we stand on the threshold of the digital and post-industrial age, the afterglow expands beyond smokestacks and factories to include virtual worlds, algorithmic systems, and data flows. The theme invites artists to consider: What marks do these technologies leave behind? What radiance—or shadow—do they cast on our environment, bodies, and collective memory?