Reflections of Sybby Grant

This mosaic was created in partnership with artist Herb Massie and Jubilee Arts. Massie collaborated with community members to create over 400 plates during Jubilee Arts–hosted workshops at the Marcus-Harris Center, Eutaw-Marshburn Elementary School, Furman L. Templeton Preparatory Academy: Pupils of Promise Child First After-School Program, New Song Academy, the Zeta Center for Healthy and Active Aging, the Edmondson Avenue Branch of the Enoch Pratt Free Library, and the Walters Art Museum. Massie selected over 200 of the plates to create these mosaic panels, which pay homage to Sybby Grant, the enslaved cook who lived and worked at 1 West Mt. Vernon Place. Once made and decorated, the plates were bisque fired, glazed, and Raku fired, which produced the black color that is visible in many of the plates. Jubilee Arts is a thriving community art program located on Pennsylvania Avenue in the Upton Neighborhood of Baltimore. Jubilee Arts is a catalyst for social change, using art as a tool for empowerment, community building, learning our history, and changing our future.
Herb Massie is a teaching artist from Baltimore. In 2016 the Maryland State Arts Council named him the recipient of the Sue Hess Maryland Arts Advocate of the Year Award. With well over 25 years of experience, in addition to teaching at Clayworks and Jubilee Arts, Massie has hosted ceramic workshops and classes in Baltimore City schools, with teens, adults, and community elders, as well as people in addiction recovery and those formerly incarcerated.

Provenance

Provenance (from the French provenir, 'to come from/forth') is the chronology of the ownership, custody, or location of a historical object. Learn more about provenance at the Walters.

Commissioned by Walters Art Museum, 2018; purchased by Walters Art Museum, 2023.