Towson University's Center for Student Diversity presents an evening of storytelling and community reflection featuring Maria Gabriela Aldana, co-founding director of Baltimore’s Art of Solidarity, as she presents her impactful project, “Echoes from the Key Bridge,” in partnership with the Baltimore Museum of Industry.

This project documents the firsthand accounts of those affected by the tragic March 26, 2024 bridge collapse, including relatives of construction workers, port workers, and first responders. Through her work, Maria highlights the resilience and voices of our community while honoring their stories.

Event Details:
📅 Thursday, February 6
⏰ 5:30 PM
📍 University Union 0324

Light refreshments will be served, and all are welcome to join.

To confirm your attendance, please email
Alejandra Balcázar, Coordinator of Latine/x and Undocumented Student Development, Center for Student Diversity, Towson University.

Echoes from the Key Bridge news coverage by WBAL of December 3 public event, Labor and Innovation, featuring mural by Roberto Marquez, art work by Wendell Shannon, and Kimberly Sheridan at the Baltimore Museum of Industry on view until January 31, 2025. The program honors the lives of the six men who lost their lives and fell into the cold Patapsco River on March 26: Carlos Daniel Hernandez, 24; Alejandro Hernandez Fuentes, 35; Maynor Yasir Suazo Sandoval, 38; Miguel Angel Luna Gonzales, 49; José Maynor López, 37; and Dorlian Ronial Castillo Cabrera, 26 and their families, friends, co-workers, neighbors, and community members in Baltimore, Baltimore County, Anne Arundel County, Glen Burnie and abroad in El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Mexico. "No olvidaremos. Reconocemos su perdida," Maria Gabriela Aldana, oral historian.

Ever wanted to design a super huge gay wall?! Join in the fun on July 14 and/or July 27 from 1-3PM at Bmore Liberated! 12:30PM sign in and mingling. Final mural design unveiled August 10. Sugg donation $5-10.

This summer, Maria Gabriela Aldana, cofounding director of Art of Solidarity, provides art workshops and cultural celebrations through mural design work! Be a part of the team! In partnership with Bmore Liberated LLC, a collective of queer therapists, they are combating homophobia by creating new public arts and mental health events in Southeast Baltimore. Together, they are strengthening the connections and awareness of gay, lesbian, queer, trans, non-binary, immigrant, Latinx, Black, indigenous, neurodivergent, straight, fluid, and questioning residents and non-profits.

Thanks to the Maryland State Art Council, Ms. Aldana was awarded a Public Arts Across Maryland Planning grant to serve as a creative consultant to lead a team that recruits, trains, and hires youth to co-lead mural arts workshops that address sexuality and gender identities under the guidance of Bmore Liberated therapists. Participants are encouraged and facilitated to create collages or “mini murals” to describe their mental health journey as a practice of self-love, bonding, and reflection towards a public mural in 2025.​​

Our 4-minute trailer was premiered by indigenous rights blog Intercontinental Cry, along with an article written by Art of Solidarity co-founder and film director Aleks Martray.

April 21, 2016 | Red Emma's
Premiere Screening of the 10-minute Preview of Bangkukuk!
Hosted by Art of Solidarity's Maria Aldana, Aleks Martray and Poll Bravo - the filmmakers will share their past work, discuss the impact of Nicaragua’s Grand Canal project on the indigenous Rama community, and the making of the film Bangkukuk. Followed by Q&A. Free admission.

July 24th, 2018 | Towson University
Maria Gabriela Aldana
Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, Towson University
8000 York Road · Towson, Maryland, 21252-0001

The “Art of Solidarity” represents an ongoing cultural exchange and community arts project with young artists from North America traveling to cities in Nicaragua where they have connected with locals to gain mutual understanding, assist in specific community endeavors, create murals, and create documentaries. How have decades-old politics and war impacted modern-day Nicaragua? Learn how this project has spotlighted issues of global poverty, racism and indigenous rights while uplifting these communities. Learn how this example of social change through art has built lasting friendships and positive connections between Nicaraguans and North Americans.

Maria Aldana is the education director for the Creative Alliance, an arts organization in Baltimore. She works with over 60 artist a year to create original project-based visual and performing arts programs that serve over 3,500 children each year. Born in Managua, Nicaragua, Maria moved with her family to the United States as child. As a community artist, Maria co-founded and directs “Neighborhood Voices,”an anti-racism task force that raises the profile of important Baltimore activists and artists against racism. Baltimore Magazine named her one of 2018’s “30 Visionaries”.

April 7, 2014 | Catholic Charities
FREE Screening: De Donde Sean
Esperanza Center, Catholic Charities
Intimate discussion with AoS film producer, Maria Aldana, and Baltimore immigrants. RSVP with oabbas@cc-md.org or 443-825-3421. Held at Esperanza Center on 430 S. Broadway. Baltimore, MD 21231

March 25, 2014 | Towson University
Maria Aldana presents "De Donde Sean" and "La Gran Nación" films during Dr. Kami Fletcher's "Intro to American Studies" courses, presenting migration and identity issues in Baltimore and San Juan de Limay.
Towson University, Liberal Building (LA) Room 2302

Dec 5, 2014 | MICA
How does art impact a neighborhood? How does a neighborhood impact art institutions? Maria Aldana shares best practices directing festivals and programs including The Great Halloween Lantern Parade, Piñatas Navideñas y Posada, and Art of Solidarity. Maryland Institute College of Art Graduate Student Center. 131 W North Ave, 21217.

3 de diciembre del 2014 | University of Maryland
Artísta comunitaria, Maria Aldana, presenta su trabajo en Nicaragua y su trabajo con mujeres artesanas en Baltimore a travéz de documentales La Gran Nación y Piñatas Navideñas. Será en University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD. International Media Center, segundo piso #219.

Oct 31, 2014 | UMBC
De Donde Sean & Gallopinto
Artist and co-founder, Maria Aldana, takes us behind the scenes of the Art of Solidarity in its fifth year. Screening of "De Donde Sean," and "Gallopinto," a group show with documentary shorts, photographs, marmolina, and sculptures created by participants from 2008-2013. University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) 1000 Hilltop Circle, Baltimore, MD 21250. Fine Arts 018. Free admission. 4-6PM

Sep 5, 2013 | Creative Alliance
Documentary follows Baltimore's untold immigrant stories and their struggle to pass immigration reform that would put 11 million people in the USA on the path to citizenship. Directed by Jonys Diaz and Eddy Avendano. $12, $7 mbrs. Creative Alliance 3134 Eastern Ave. Baltimore, MD 21224. 8PM

Sep 5, 2013 | Amalie Rothschild Gallery
Gallopinto is a group exhibition and celebration of the last five years of visual arts collaborations between North Americans and Nicaraguans through the Art of Solidarity. Mixed media work for sale: installations, projections, sculptures, photography, and short films. Rice & beans "gallopinto" reception. On view Sep 5-28. Amalie Rothchild Gallery of Creative Alliance 3134 Eastern Ave, 21224. 2nd floor. 5:30-7:30pm. Free admission.

23 de agosto, 2013 | Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón
Se presenta un borrador de la película, "De Donde Sean (No Matter Where You're From)" echo en colaboración por AoS y Vimau. Vengan listos y listas con sus sugerencias a los directores de está película sobre la inmigración en Baltimore. Sacred Heart of Jesus Church 600 S Conkling St. Baltimore, MD 21224. Entrada gratuita. Para todas edades. Regístrese! maria@artofsolidarity.org

Aug 2, 2013 | Scribe Video Center
Four short films presented by AoS & Vimau partners since 2008 as part of Scribe's "Storyville" series $5, FREE for Scribe members. Scribe Video Center: 4212 Chestnut Street 3rd Floor. Philadelphia, PA, 19104. 7PM

Fri, July 19 & Sat, July 20, 2013. Noon-4pm | ARTSCAPE
"Centroamerica" mural needs you to paint it! Designed by Maria Aldana and commissioned by Baltimore Office of Promotion & the Arts' 10,000 Brushes project of this year's theme "No Passport Required." Artscape is the largest outdoor festival in the United States! Free and open to the public since 1982.

July 18, 2013. 7-10pm. FREE
8pm special presentation and documentary proposal by Nicaraguan partners, Vimau Producciones. This event is a potluck "All American" Welcome dinner-- whatever that means to you! RSVP: maria@artofsolidarity.org
2932 Huntingdon Ave, Baltimore, 21211

July 22-Aug 21, 2013. FREE
10 bilingual workshops: Mondays & Wednesdays 4-7pm
Video documentary workshops with Nicaraguan director and producer of VIMAU Producciones, based in Esteli, Nicaragua. Workshops are in Spanish and interpreted in English. Geared towards youth 15-25 years old. Must register. These workshops are supported by the Research Associates Foundation.
Creative Alliance 3134 Eastern Ave. Baltimore, MD 21224
REGISTER: maria@creativealliance.org or call 410-276-1651

July 17- Sep 7, 2013
For the first time ever, we are honored to present Art of Solidarity's (AoS) Nicaraguan media residency this summer! Our founding partners at Vimau Producciones, Jonys Diaz and Eddy Avendaño, will be sharing their Nicaraguan culture, teaching video workshops, and directing a documentary "De Donde Sean (No Matter Where You're From)." The short film investigates US immigration reform, while telling the stories and struggles of Baltimore's immigrant community. Thanks to Research Associates Foundation for their support!