The Baltimore Museum of Art (BMA) is celebrating a new attendance record with the exhibition of “Amy Sherald: American Sublime.” Since its opening last November, the show has attracted an impressive 63,000 visitors, with expectations to reach 75,000 by the time it closes on April 5. This makes Sherald’s mid-career survey the most-attended show at the museum since 2000, a significant achievement considering that the BMA was not initially part of the exhibition’s original itinerary.
Featuring nearly 50 grayscale portraits of Black Americans, Sherald’s exhibition first debuted at the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in November 2024 before traveling to the Whitney Museum of American Art in Manhattan from April to August 2025. The Whitney exhibition marked Sherald’s first solo show at a New York museum, garnering attention and acclaim from art enthusiasts and critics alike.
However, the exhibition faced a hiccup when it was scheduled to move to the Smithsonian Institution’s National Portrait Gallery in Washington, DC. Sherald chose to withdraw her show from the NPG in July due to censorship concerns surrounding a specific painting in the exhibition. The work in question, “Trans Forming Liberty,” depicted a well-known Black transwoman and drag performer in a pose reminiscent of Lady Liberty, wearing a pink wig and blue dress. Sherald objected to the Smithsonian’s suggestion of adding a video of visitors reacting to the painting, feeling that it would detract from the intended narrative of the exhibition.
In a bold move, the BMA stepped in to host “American Sublime” after Sherald’s withdrawal from the Smithsonian. The museum had already planned to honor the Maryland Institute College of Art alum with an award, making it a fitting venue for the exhibition. More than 2,000 visitors participated in a survey to provide feedback on the show, with 85% of attendees being Maryland residents and a significant number of first-time museum visitors drawn to the exhibition.
The exhibition’s impact extended beyond Maryland, attracting visitors from 35 states and international attendees from Europe. Notably, a diverse range of respondents praised the exhibition for its ability to evoke deep emotions, forge connections, and celebrate the dignity of Black communities. BMA Director Asma Naeem expressed her gratitude for the overwhelming support and positive feedback, emphasizing the power of art to bring people together and foster a sense of kinship and joy.
As the exhibition prepares for its final stop at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta from May 15 to September 27, the legacy of “Amy Sherald: American Sublime” continues to resonate with audiences across the country. Through her poignant and introspective portraits, Sherald’s work serves as a testament to the enduring impact of art in celebrating diversity and honoring the beauty of everyday life through the lens of Blackness.
