Art Rysing 2026 is more than an event — it is a citywide movement for truth, racial healing, and transformation through the power of art.

ART RYSING 2026 : Truth, Racial Healing & Transformation

Join us on April 18, 2026 at 1:00 PM (doors open at 12:30 PM) for an inspiring in-person event focused on truth, racial healing, and transformation. It’s a great chance to connect, learn, and grow together in a welcoming space. Don’t miss out on this meaningful experience!

This event is also about unifying our communities — ALL AGES AND PEOPLE ARE WELCOME!!

LOCATION: Institute of Marine and Environmental Technology (IMET)
701 East Pratt Street, Baltimore, MD 21202

MC Larry “Whaddup” Caudle

DJ Seannice

Performances

Wombwork Productions
DewMore Poetry

Community Partners

2026 Arts for Learning Maryland - Bloomberg Arts Internship
Baltimore Mediation Center
Baltimore Peace Movement
Community Mediation Maryland
DewMore Poetry
Digital Empath
France-Merrick Scholars (UMBC)
Greedy Reads
Growing Minds Bookstore
Historic Ships of Baltimore (Living Classrooms)
Linehan Arts Scholars (UMBC)
Mindful y Radiant
New Era Young Lords
Operation Respond
Performing Arts Center for African Cultures
Seliaveski Law
Shriver LLC (UMBC)
Sisterhood (UMBC)
The Choice Program (UMBC)
The Gathering Space (UMBC)
The Ivy Bookshop
The Shriver Center (UMBC)
The Virtues Project
UMBC
Urban Reads Bookstore
Young Elder
Youth As Resources
Youth in Action

JOIN US FOR
ARTS RYSING
APRIL 18, 2026

REGISTER HERE!

In 1997…

About Us →

three dynamic visionary artists; Mama Kay Lawal-Muhammad, Mama Nata'aska Hasan Humminbird, and Mama Rashida Forman-Bey merged to form the directorial team of WombWork Productions, Inc. located in Baltimore, Maryland. The theatre company started out as a summer program that offered professional training in theatre, dance, drumming, vocals, and stage management. Programming was designed to assist participants in transforming fears, anger, confusion, ignorance, and self-discrimination into positive performances on stage. In 2001, WombWork Productions, Inc. partnered with Johns Hopkins School of Nursing to implement An Arts-Based Initiative for the Prevention of Violence Against Women and Girls, which was the subject of a 5-year study by the CDC (Centers for Disease Control). The study showed that the arts-based model, which draws on therapeutic and traditional cultural healing modalities, reduced violent behavior among youth in four urban middle schools and changed the climate that was prevalent in those schools.

All life comes from the womb. Out of the darkness comes the light of understanding. WombWork Productions, Inc. brings together art and spirit through traditional art forms and showcases socially relevant productions that empower performers and youth in social change issues.

WombWork Philosophy

Three Art Ensembles

WombWork Productions, Inc. is comprised of three….

Nu World Art Ensemble

(Ages 21+)

Nu World Art Ensemble is the adult theatre company that continues the legacy of writing and creating theatrical productions that engage the community on issues such as HIV/AIDS, gang violence, substance abuse, and other relevant social issues.

Nu Generation Art Ensemble

(Ages 13-20)

Nu Generation Art Ensemble is the young adult theatre company that builds confidence in budding teenagers who are empowered to develop their artistic skills in theatre, drumming, dancing, and reflection to build confidence and resiliency.

Learn more

Next Generation Art Ensemble

(Ages 5-12)

Next Generation Art Ensemble is the youth theatre company that engages in social change issues that affect the youth in our communities. The program offers arts, self-determination, and cultural education programs.

“We learn mathematics formulas in school and use those principles to balance equations. We learn the virtues as a formula to balance life”

WombWork Productions, Inc. utilizes The Virtues Project in every facet of its instruction, communication, and performance. The 5 tenets of The Virtues Project encompass five tangible, life strategies that provide users with a vocabulary and language to creatively strengthen, heal, teach, and communicate to themselves and to their surrounding community.

Learn More →