The University of Maryland Eastern Shore (UMES) will host the Smithsonian Institution’s SPARK! Places of Innovation traveling exhibit at the Frederick Douglass Library on the UMES campus.
The interactive exhibit, which highlights innovation in rural communities, was brought to campus through a collaboration between the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and the Maryland Humanities’ Museum on Main Street program. The exhibition will be on display in the library through March 1.
“To have the University host the exhibit is an exciting opportunity, but also working with community partners on this project is an essential part of this initiative,” said Dr. Arlisha Norwood, Associate Professor of History at UMES. “We want the larger community to be able to see themselves in it as well.”
The exhibit features stories from over 30 rural communities across the nation that reveal the dynamic relationship between place and creativity. Technical, social, cultural, artistic, or a combination of all of these — every innovation is as unique as each community.
“We’re proud to partner with the UMES to celebrate the spirit of innovation that thrives in rural American communities,” says Lindsey Baker, Chief Executive Officer of Maryland Humanities. “SPARK! showcases how creativity and collaboration have shaped our history and how they continue to drive us forward today.”
UMES will be the final stop for the traveling tour in Maryland, concluding a nine-month trip across the state.
To celebrate the exhibition, which will be part of the University’s Black History Month programming, there will be an opening reception on Thursday, Feb. 5 from 5 to 7 p.m., also at the library. Dr. Clara Small, Emeritus Professor of History at Salisbury University, will be the guest speaker for the event.
In addition to the partnership with Maryland Humanities and SITES, Maryland Public Television is the Media Sponsor for the tour of SPARK! in Maryland.
The exhibition will be on view Mondays through Thursdays, 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m.; Fridays from 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; and Sundays, 3 to 10 p.m.
For more information, contact Robert Forloney, Program Officer, Partnerships, at Maryland Humanities at rforloney@mdhumanities.org or 410-463-2293.
Additional information can be found at https://www.beachesbayswaterways.org/spark-places-of-innovation.html.
