Among the storefronts and dining establishments gracing “The Avenue” in Hampden, one doesn’t usually see markers bearing Hebrew words or phrases.
But nowadays on that fabled thoroughfare, pedestrians can’t miss the large, glittery mosaic in English proclaiming Shalom, the Hebrew word for peace, floating above 821 W. 36th Street.
The sign is for the Shalom Art Gallery, which officially opened in late January and is owned and operated by Loring Cornish.
A West Baltimore native and resident, Cornish is a renowned artist celebrated for employing mixed-media materials and found-object mosaics to address religious and socially conscious themes. His works have been exhibited at the Jewish Museum of Maryland, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the Reginald F. Lewis Museum of African American History and Culture, and the American Visionary Art Museum.
In a 2017 Jmore article about the installation of a Cornish-created ner tamid, or eternal light, for Kol HaLev Synagogue in Lutherville, the artist said, “I am a Christian, and my religion goes along with feeling. I was struck by the connections between the struggles of Jews and Blacks.”
Cornish also owns and operates the How Great Thou Art gallery at 1622 Thames St. in Fells Point. His new gallery in Hampden formerly housed MediCanna, a wellness boutique focusing on cannabis and CBD products.
On a sign on the gallery’s door, Cornish wrote, “I name this gallery Shalom because I want to join the fight against anti-semitism. Over the years the Jewish Community has shown me love, support and a kindred friendship. My work is in several synagogues along with having an outstanding showcase at the Jewish Museum of Maryland titled ‘In Each Other’s Shoes’ which chronicles the struggles of Blacks & Jews collectively.
“I stand with the Jewish Community and others in the fight against Anti-Semtism.”
Cornish said the idea to open a gallery in Hampden came to him late one night out of the blue.
“A voice said to me, ‘Go to Hampden and look for a gallery,'” he said. “So I drove over to 36th Street right then and there, at 3 in the morning, and found this place and fell in love with it.”
Cornish said his Shalom sign has already attracted a great deal of attention from passersby, and many people take photos of it and ask questions. He said residents and fellow merchants in Hampden “have been so friendly and accepting and warm. They’ve welcomed me with open arms. … It’s like a Norman Rockwell picture here. You see dogs running around, and people eating doughnuts and ice cream and drinking cocoa. It’s amazing. Such a nice, family-oriented community.”
By naming the gallery Shalom, Cornish said he wanted take a strong and visible stand against bigotry and hate. He said he hopes to open more galleries in the future.
“I want to bring awareness to [the rise in antisemitism],” Cornish said. “I want to show my support in a relational-type setting where people can connect, especially members of the Jewish community. I’m so glad I have this thing inside of me, this spirit, which always seems to be on point. …
“This is just me giving back,” he said. “One community is not unto itself. We give to each other.”
For information about the Shalom Art Gallery, call 443-622-2869 or email loringcornish@aol.com.
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