The Painted Screens Of Baltimore

Published: March 13, 2020, 2:49 p.m.

Beaming lighthouses, seascapes with crashing waves, cottages under puffy clouds. It was common in the 1950s for windows in East Baltimore rowhomes to be adorned with painted screens. Now it’s a rare treat. Painted screens grew popular for a practical reason: They block the interior of your home from prying eyes. Folklorist Elaine Eff tells about the origin of this artform, and Highlandtown Gallery owner Felicia Zannino-Baker talks about preserving and promoting painted screens today. Find out about tours at Highlandtown Gallery, and other screen-related events. Learn about the Painted Screen Society here.