After 48 years of continuous operation as a cornerstone of Baltimore's art scene, C. Grimaldis Gallery will permanently close its doors at the end of this year. The renowned Mount Vernon gallery, located at 523 N. Charles Street, will cease operations on December 31 after the building's owner, the Theosophical Society in Maryland, put the property up for sale.
Gallery owner and founder Constantine Grimaldis, 82, announced the closure on Friday, describing the moment as bittersweet for someone who has dedicated nearly five decades to promoting visual arts in Baltimore. "I'm proud of making almost five decades," Grimaldis said, noting that he plans to transition the gallery to a largely online presence through its website while continuing to serve as a resource to collectors, curators, and museums as a facilitating gallerist.
Over the decades, C. Grimaldis Gallery has established itself as a significant venue for modern and contemporary art, providing Baltimore residents with opportunities to view works by local, national, and international artists, many of whom have become major figures in the art world. The gallery has hosted notable solo exhibitions featuring acclaimed artists including Alice Neel, Willem de Kooning, Elaine de Kooning, Sir Anthony Caro, Raoul Middleman, filmmaker John Waters, Grace Hartigan, and Eugene Leake.
Currently, the gallery represents 30 artists based in Baltimore and beyond, including Waters, Chul Hyun Ahn, and Cheryl Goldsleger. Grimaldis confirmed that he will continue representing some of these artists even after the physical gallery closes. The gallery's journey began in 1977 when it first opened inside a rowhouse at 928 N. Charles Street, before moving to its current location in 1986. From 1990 to 1993, Grimaldis also operated a space dedicated to large-scale sculptures at 1006 Morton Street.
Asma Naeem, director of the Baltimore Museum of Art, praised Grimaldis as a "peerless" gallerist and called him "a treasure to Baltimore, the state of Maryland and to the artistic community writ large." She emphasized his significant impact on the city's cultural landscape, stating, "He has deftly, and I should say radically, presented artists and artwork that otherwise would never have been shown here in Baltimore. He is one of the most respected gallerists in this city."
Reflecting on Baltimore's transformation over his career, Grimaldis recalled that when he first started, people described the city as "a wasteland for visual arts." He noted with satisfaction that the situation has dramatically improved, saying, "Today, there are other galleries, some wonderful places." However, Naeem, who grew up in Baltimore, emphasized that the gallery's closure represents a major loss for the community. "I cannot emphasize enough what a hole it will be not to have his physical standing gallery anymore," she said.
The gallery's final exhibition, appropriately titled "The Last Picture Show," is currently on display and will remain open to the public until November 10. Visitors can view the exhibition from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Wednesday through Sunday, or by appointment. The closure comes at a time when Baltimore's gallery scene is experiencing other changes, as Night Owl Gallery in Station North also hosted its final event on Friday before closing at the end of the month.
Since announcing the pending closure in an email to supporters, Grimaldis has received an overwhelming response from the arts community. "I'm humbled. And I'm not particularly humble," he said with a characteristic smile, reflecting on the incredible reactions he has received. The closure marks the end of an era for Baltimore's art scene, as the city says goodbye to one of its most enduring and influential cultural institutions.
