Charlotte Hall Library Show Highlights St. Mary’s Artist Joi Lowe’s Tribute To Bob Marley

CHARLOTTE HALL, Md. — St. Mary’s artist Joi Lowe is everywhere. Art lovers can find Lowe’s work in galleries and art centers around Maryland, as well as in exhibitions in Pennsylvania and Connecticut. Lowe said she’s pleased to be recognized and included by so many institutions, and credits her increased presence to having more free time after changing jobs.

“Working at the Montessori school, I didn’t have any time to dedicate to my work. Now that I’m in this position, it’s very close to my home and it allows me the mental freedom to where I can create now,” Lowe said.

“The past couple months I’ve been just working, working, working, working, and thanks to social media I’ve been able to respond to open calls. A lot of gallery spaces, art centers, they advertise for open calls. So I’ve been applying to ones that suit my artistic style and the representation that I like to have. I’ve been fortunate enough to get accepted — I just actually found out about one today. This one is in Arizona, so we’ll see. It feels wonderful that I’m finally branching out from Southern Maryland, but there’s always a little hesitation because I can deliver work here in Maryland. When I’m delivering it or shipping it out or having to deliver in other states, it’s a whole new ball game from there.”

Lowe said that as a member of the St. Mary’s Arts Council, she’s able to take part in ongoing art exhibits in local libraries like Lexington Park and Leonardtown. She currently has an exhibition on display at the Charlotte Hall Library called Celebrating Bob. This collection of eight pieces celebrates the life and work of reggae musician Bob Marley.

“I always like to celebrate Bob Marley. Every year I try to produce new work or incorporate new things to my oldest work that are reggae-inspired,” Lowe said.

“With Bob Marley, I feel like he sang songs like ‘Redemption Song’ and ‘Three Little Birds.’ His lighter work is nice, but for me, I like the juxtaposition between his works. What suits me is that I can work to it and I can have that music playing with my family because I know it is mostly positive music, there’s no bad language. There’s a song that always will suit the moment that I’m in with him. It puts me in a very good spirit, to where I’m able to relax and produce work.”

Lowe said she liked that library staff at Charlotte Hall collaborated with her by adding a selection of books about or featuring Bob Marley to the display: “Every Little Thing” by Cedella Marley, “The Musical Human: A History of Life on Earth” by Michael Spitzer and “Young, Gifted and Black, Too” by Jamia Wilson.

When asked if she had anything to say to readers, Lowe invited people to see her work at the North End Gallery and attend the open reception for The Power Within: Honoring Black History Month at Chesapeake Arts Center on Thursday, Feb. 26, from 6-8 p.m.

“I really would like people to come to the reception in Chesapeake Arts Center,” Lowe said. “It’s an hour and a half, almost two hours away, but it’s still in Maryland.”

Patrons of the arts can also follow Lowe on Instagram or check out her website.

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