In the Studio with Artist Erika Whitney Young
Today, we are going In the Studio with artist Erika Whitney Young. Her artwork is on display for both our current 25th Anniversary Light and Legacy exhibitions on display June 24 - August 30, 2026 in our Patricia Barland Gallery and Hal Gomer Gallery.
Erika Whitney Young is a Baltimore City based street photographer, creative writer and community advocate. Her photography captures everyday moments with artistic intent, exploring the intersection of realism and abstraction in urban environments. She embodies a passion for storytelling that blends vivid imagery with emotional depth. Her work spans narrative nonfiction, poetry and essays that often explore themes of healing, transformation, and the unseen magic in everyday life. She has shown an unwavering commitment to social equity, grassroot organizing and empowering underrepresented voices. With a background in legislative advocacy and years of hands-on experience in local initiatives, she now works to build stronger, more inclusive communities through civic training and art education.
To learn more about Erika and her work, visit her website and follow her instagram @eyoungpoetic.
What is your work’s relationship to time?
Photography is how I make sense of time. I can't stop a moment from passing, but I can preserve a piece of it. I'm drawn to moments that might otherwise go unnoticed. Years from now, those photographs may take on an entirely new meaning—not just because of what's in the frame, but because of what we've experienced since. I love that a single image can hold a memory, spark an emotion, or tell a different story every time someone looks at it. For me, photography isn't about freezing time—it's about creating something that continues to live and evolve long after the moment is gone.
What is something you want to explore in your work in the future?
Photography will always be at the heart of what I do, but writing, mixed media, and music have always been part of my artistic practice. I’m exploring how they can exist immersively alongside my photographic work. Each art form allows me to tell a story in a different way. I'm looking forward to sharing more of myself as an artist.
How do you continue to find inspiration and ideas? Is that something that you struggle with?
I don't think finding inspiration is something I struggle with. If anything, I find new inspiration every day. It comes everywhere- a random conversation, a walk through my neighborhood, music, something I read, or simply noticing the way light falls on a building. The challenge isn't having ideas—it's finding the time, space, and opportunity to fully explore them. I've learned to trust that the ideas worth pursuing will stay with me until I'm ready to bring them to life
Is there a common thread, theme, or motif you always find comes up in your work?
I wouldn't say there's one theme or motif that shows up in everything I create. My work is pretty eclectic because I'm interested in so many things- different subjects, styles, and ways of seeing the world. If there's a common thread, it's simply that every piece is an honest reflection of me at that moment in time. Whatever I create stems from my curiosity. My work looks different from project to project, but it's all connected by my perspective and the stories I'm drawn to tell.
What drives you to continue making art?
Creating is simply part of who I am. I don't really know how to separate myself from making art, it's how I process the world, how I express my thoughts, and connect with others. I'm driven by curiosity and a deep desire to learn. As long as I have something to say or something that piques my curiosity, I'll keep making art.
Light
Chesapeake Arts Center’s 25th Anniversary Show
Patricia Barland Gallery I June 24 - August 30, 2026
Legacy
Chesapeake Arts Center’s 25th Anniversary Show
Hal Gomer Gallery I June 24 - August 30, 2026
Gallery Hours
Monday-Thursday: 10 am-8 pm
Saturday: 10 am-2 pm