Brakes are off the Kinetic Sculpture Race

BY LAUREN LAROCCA llarocca@newspost.com

On your mark, get set, art!

One of Baltimore’s most beloved annual traditions, the Kinetic Sculpture Race, will take place this weekend, and Frederick will represent.

Hosted by the American Visionary Art Museum, the event on May 6 asks teams to construct human-powered mobile sculptures and race them through the city — and then float them through the Inner Harbor and tackle mud and sand pits at Patterson Park before finally arriving at the finish line. A ceremony follows the race, where teams are given awards for Grand Mediocre Champion, Worst Honorable Mention, The Next To The Last Award, Best Bribes Award and others.

The Frederick team, Goes To 11 (a nod to a scene from the 1984 film “This Is Spinal Tap”), will participate for its 11th time this weekend.

One year, they didn’t make it to the starting line in time because they couldn’t get their craft into the truck, so they parked at the harbor and begged AVAM to let them do the rest of the race with the others. Two years, they didn’t make it through the harbor (which is fairly common). Another time, they broke down on a block next to a bar when they were all dressed as mermaids. “And this is a bunch of guys dressed as mermaids,” recalled Mike Cullen, a scientist by trade who has participated with the team since they began. “Some guys came out of the bar, and they were just staring at us, like, ‘What is going on here? I’ve never seen this … and I’ve seen a lot of things.’”

They’ve also won Grand Mediocre Champion and Worst Honorable Mention in years past, among other awards.

“Despite the problems we’ve had over the years and the breakdowns and coming in second-to-last place a couple times, we still manage to get a number of awards, and we’re always surprised when we do,” Cullen added.

AVAM creates a different theme for the race each year, so teams have to create new artwork to follow suit. This year’s theme, Everyday People, inspired Team Goes To 11 create a carriage complete with the royal

Staff photos by Bill Green

The team posing for a photograph in costume are, bottom row, from left are Mike Phillips, Andrea Matney, Philip van Werkhoven, Timna Blech-Hermoni, KJ Donoghue, Norm Kreiselmeier, Sharon Maloid. Back row from left Gwen Dahavilland, Allison Cullen, Steve Matney, Sue Phillips and Mike Cullen. The XX team creating a craft for AVAM’s Kinetic Sculpture Race this Saturday.Frederick guard and giant cardboard puppet heads depicting the Royal Family — after scrapping their initial idea to depict the Kardashians. Cullen is going as King Charles.

Their last race was in 2019, when they went as “The Real Space Wives of Uranus” to coincide with the year’s reality TV theme (that was one of the years they tipped into the harbor water — and the second time Cullen found himself in the harbor waters, as the spacecraft above them made the piece top-heavy).

Over the years, the team, whose members have come and gone, has created five chassis, starting with a two-person craft, then upping it to three, then four and now six.

“Each time, despite having backgrounds kind of in engineering, we make things that are too heavy, don’t float well, or do something poorly. This last incarnation is our best attempt. We now have brakes that work. When I was the brake person, I spent most of the race just kind of squeezing my butt cheeks, worried that we weren’t gonna be able to stop in certain places. I’m screaming at them, ‘Stop pedaling!’”

AVAM’s Kinetic Sculpture Race

9:30 a.m. — Opening Ceremonies at AVAM, 800 Key Highway, Baltimore

10 a.m. — LeMans Start of Race on Key Highway, up Battery Avenue to Federal Hill Park

11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Water Entry at Canton

Waterfront

1:15 to 3:30 p.m. — Sand & Mud Obstacles in Patterson Park

3:30 to 6 p.m. — Finish Line and Post Race Recovery at AVAM

6 to 7 p.m. — Awards Ceremony at AVAM

Goes To 11 was also the first team to introduce big wheels, 54-inch wheels made from conduit, which has become popular for other teams ever since they brought it to the race in 2011.

This year, the team has been busy for months at Cullen’s home near the Frederick watershed, building their piece for the race. With just days left to complete their piece, the team gathered on Sunday and worked until sundown — painting, welding, cutting, sewing.

“The night before is brutal. It’s so much work. We don’t get a lot of sleep — if any — the night before,” Cullen said. “It takes somebody who’s willing to put in a lot of time for really no reward, other than you are the center of the world as you ride your craft, and everybody’s hanging out their window taking pictures of you, that attention. I don’t think of myself that way, but when I’m out there, I want everybody to see us.”

Lauren LaRocca is the editor of 72 Hours. Reach her at llarocca@newspost.com

”Structures 2023” — through May 5, Crestwood Center, 7211 Bank Court, Frederick. Original works of art, including oil, watercolors, mixed media, acrylic, photography, and wood carvings from some of Frederick’s talented artists. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday. 240-215-1460 or frederickhealth.org.

”Miniature Worlds” — through May 19, Rosemary and Thyme Gallery, Frederick 50+ Community Center, 1440 Taney Ave., Frederick. Featuring works by local artist Kunie Stabley. Hours are 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Thursday. 301-600-3525, dmarkowitz@frederickcountymd.gov or tinyurl. com/50-center.

“Nostalgia” — through May 28, DIS-

TRICT Arts, 15 N. Market St., Frederick. Opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. May 6. Nostalgia can mean a sentimental longing for the past, accompanied with happy remembrances of times gone by. It can also mean a longing accompanied with a sense of loss or missed opportunity. This group exhibition reflects 27 independently juried artists’ interpretations of the word nostalgia. 301-695-4050, staci@districtarts. com, districtarts.com/nostalgia.

Colored Pencil Extravaganza — through May 31, Eastside Artists’ Gallery, 313 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Colored pencil art by award-winning artist Lis Zadravec and 10 of her students. Come by and see what this modern medium can really do! Opening reception May 6, artist talk at 3 p.m.; colored pencil demos every Saturday and Sunday throughout May at 2 p.m. Gallery hours are 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday. eastsideartistsgallery.com.

“Comfort” — through July 1, FAC Art Center, 5 E. Second St., Frederick. An interactive multimedia show of art related to coffee and tea and an exploration of the rituals and personal connections surrounding those drinks. frederickartscouncil.org.

“Making Memories as We Wait” — through July 1, FAC Art Center, 5 E. Second St., Frederick. Solo exhibition by Khánh H. Lê, who probes his personal and familial histories to carve out a cultural identity for himself. Through the collaging of materials such as acrylic paintings, glitter, prints and sparkling plastic craft jewels, Lê merges narratives — both horrific realities and idyllic fantasies — that are filled with tension as he explores notions of home, country and safety. 301-6624190.

“The Hot Button” — through August, Hot Button Gallery, 129 E. German St.,

Shepherdstown, W.Va. Carol Williams exhibits textiles and poster art that reflect her passion for social responsibility through artistic communication. 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturdays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays. The artist will be available for conversation at these times. anothercarolwilliams.com.

”Nature’s Grace” — May 5 to 21, Links Bridge Vineyards, 8830 Old Links Bridge Road, Thurmont. Original paintings by Pauline Rakis. 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, 1 to 6 p.m. Friday. 301-602-5733 or linksbridgevineyards.com.

Frederick Artists Night Featuring Vicki Favilla — 4 to 8 p.m. May 6, Cowork Frederick, 122 E. Patrick St., Frederick. Visually striking abstract paintings. Live music by Mike Elosh. All proceeds from art sales to go the artist. 301-732-5165 or coworkfrederickfoundation.org.

”Family Album” — May 6 through June 25, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Oil paintings by Robert Cantor celebrate the peculiarities of nostalgia and memory while alluding to the way that time, technology and consumer culture have shared those memories and irrevocably altered the dreams and aspira- tion associated wit them. Starting with black–and–white snapshots from his childhood, Cantor uses figures from his extensive pencil sharpener collection to replace himself and his brothers wherever they appear. Continues through June 25. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.

”Mike do this, Mike do that, Mike don’t do that” — May 6 through June 25, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Pencil and graphite drawings by Michael Bruner. Inspired by surrealism and memory, Bruner’s highly detailed drawings use beauty, humor, and repulsion to reflect on the complexities of identity and subliminal thoughts and emotions. Continues through June 25. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.

”Romancing (Im)Perfection” — May 6 through June 25, Delaplaine Arts Center, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Ceramics by Danielle Hawk are domestic objects stripped of their purpose. Using their function as a metaphor for productivity and social performance, their uselessness becomes a symbol of the impossibility of achieving societal calls for constant perceived perfection.

National Juried Exhibition — May 6 through July 9, Delaplaine Arts Cen- ter, 40 S. Carroll St., Frederick. Features works in a variety of media by artists from around the region and the nation. Art Matters Artist Talk 2 p.m. May 6 with Foon Sham, sculptor and professor at University of Md., College Park, and show juror, will discuss the selection and award process and announce the award-winning entries. Exhibit continues through June 25. 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. 301-698-0656 or delaplaine.org.

“Nostalgia” runs through May 28 at DISTRICT Arts, 15 N. Market St., Frederick. This group exhibition reflects 27 independently juried artists’ interpretations of the word nostalgia. Stop by for an opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. May 6.

”Art as Refuge and Inspiration”

— May 7 through June 25, Blanche Ames Gallery, UUCF, 4880 Elmer Derr Road, Frederick. Work by Mary Fletcher and Samantha Purvis. View Tuesday, Wednesday or Thursday mornings or by appointment. bagalleryappointment@gmail.com or frederickuu.org.

”10x10” — Opening 4 to 8 p.m. May 12, noon to 6 p.m. May 13 and 14, Gribs Gallery and Studio, 208 Main St., New Windsor. Exhibit continues through Aug. 12. Each piece is 10 inches square and for sale. Opening includes music, gaming tournament and food truck. Gallery hours are 4 to 6 p.m. Fridays and noon to 4 p.m. Sundays or by appointment. 443-5369198.