BmoreArt’s Picks: December 31 – January 6This Week: NYE Countdown and Downtown Fireworks, NYE at BLIFTD STVDIOS, opening reception for Erik White at Alchemy of Art, I’ve Endured exhibition opening reception at Creative Alliance, Scene Seen gallery opening and book celebration for Micah E. Wood and Christopher Chester at Metro Gallery, Rapid Lemon Productions’ world premiere of ‘Honey Bee Baby’ by Erlina Ortiz, and Shanthi Chandrasekar installation at Freight Gallery — PLUS apply for a grant from the Maryland State Arts Council and more featured artist opportunities!BmoreArt’s Picks presents the best weekly art openings, events, and performances happening in Baltimore and surrounding areas. For a more comprehensive perspective, check the BmoreArt Calendar page, which includes ongoing exhibits and performances, and is updated on a daily basis.To submit your calendar event, email us at [email protected]!Erik White | Opening ReceptionThursday, January 2 :: 6-9pm@ Alchemy of ArtErik white 36 years old , originally born on the eastern shore of Maryland, growing up with no particular creative background or surrounded by artists , I was heavily influenced to paint, and draw through skateboarding and music.  As well as traveling,  this inspired me more to want to create.  Now residing the majority of the past 13 years in Los Angeles, it’s here where I continue to create, network and be inspired by the city and its surroundings areas.Paintings are heavily influenced from growing up at the beach, skateboarding, African art,  aesthetics from 1980 and 1990s which could also be could be referred to as “Memphis design”, also known as Memphis Milano, was an Italian design and architecture group founded by Ettore Sottsass. It was active from 1980 to 1987 it influenced the style of a lot of TV shows. Nevertheless artists such as Ralph steadman, Tafa, Jackson pollock, and Jean Michelle were painters that inspired me ideally because it showed me I could paint the way I wanted to paint. Nevertheless more of the inspiration comes from events in life and, or things I see on a daily basis as well as what I’m surrounded by.The Alchemy of Art is a local contemporary gallery focusing on but not limited to local up and coming artist. The building itself is a unique space as it is a converted convent and the gallery is on the entry level and one of the two rooms is the old chapel room with beautiful arched ceilings.  Along with the gallery there is a boutique which carries locally made art and goods. The gallery hours are by appointment only. The gallery most recently won Baltimore Style Magazines Viewer Choice award for Best Gallery of 2018.To keep posted on hours of operation and events follow us on facebook  and keep an eye on our website www.thealchemyofart.netI’ve Endured: Women of Old Time Music Exhibition | Opening ReceptionFriday, January 3 :: 6pm@ Creative AllianceExhibition Opening: FRI JAN 3 | 6-9PMArtist Talk: SAT MAR 1On View: FRI JAN 3 – SAT MAR 1Creative Alliance is honored to host “I’ve Endured: Women of Old Time Music” an exhibition presented at Birthplace of Country Music Museum in 2023. Originally created by a women-led content team the exhibition “I’ve Endured: Women in Old-Time Music” spotlights commercial success stories and iconic musicians like Mother Maybelle and Sara Carter, Ola Belle Reed, Elizabeth Cotten, Lily May Ledford, Hazel Dickens, Etta Baker, and Alice Gerrard.For the exhibitions arrival at Creative Alliance, a new festival has been curated to showcase many contemporary women who continue to honor and shift the world of old-time music. The Say, Sister! Festival begins on the opening night of the exhibition and continues for an additional weekend packed with performances, workshops, demonstrations, and more!Read more of this week’s picks at BmoreArt.