Open Walls 1- ECB

This mural was commissioned in 2014 by the artist ECB as part of the Open Walls Project. Over the course of two months, Open Walls was an unparalleled outdoor exhibition of twenty three murals and installations created by twenty nine street artists in Station North. This particular mural shows the portrait of a Korean entrepreneur who made Station North his home for over 30 years. After moving from South Korea, he opened Seoul Rice Cake, catering to the growing Korean community in the area as well as the rest of Baltimore. The mural is a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit of Station North, as well as an acknowledgment of the strong Korean heritage of the area. The blocks just north of North Avenue have been home to Baltimore’s Quasi-Korea Town for several decades, with many Korean immigrants congregating to this area, opening up restaurants, shops, and at one point even a Korea-themed gift store. While the high concentration of Korean immigrants in this area has declined, many have moved to Ellicott City and other areas outside of Baltimore, the history remains. The son of the pictured entrepreneur, Jae Won Kim, continues to operate the shop after his father’s passing, serving Korean restaurants, grocers, and general costumers all over the state of Maryland.

At the conclusion of this stop, continue to the Centre Theatre next door. It shouldn't be hard to miss!