Baltimore, MD – The 2026 Illuminator Awards are proud to honor Afro House, a Baltimore‑based production company specializing in the convergence of disruptive sonic, kinetic, literary and cinematic interventions to create immersive experiences set in a life-giving future. Under the artistic leadership of co‑founder Scott Patterson, Afro House’s work includes groundbreaking projects such as Cloud Nebula, a futuristic space odyssey that combines large cinematic visuals, original music performed live by the Astronaut Symphony and immersive technology, to transport audiences into another galaxy and the Afro House Concert Series, which celebrates Baltimore’s extraordinary maker scene.
Co-founder and managing director, Alisha Patterson has expanded the reach of the organization by securing multiple grants and commissions and forging partnerships with artists, foundations, creative institutions and local businesses.
"Afro House challenges our understanding of what performance can be and invites audiences into new worlds. Their fearless artistic vision and commitment to community engagement embody the spirit of the Illuminator Awards."
The Illuminator Awards gala will showcase performances by local artists and raise critical funds for arts education and historic preservation in Baltimore. Afro House will join other 2026 honorees in celebrating Baltimore’s creative community. Tickets and sponsorship details will be announced soon at thepeale.org/illuminate.
About Afro House
At the helm of Afro House is husband and wife team, Scott Patterson and Alisha Patterson who, driven by the belief that storytelling is a powerful tool, not only in creating one’s own identity, but also a tool for liberation, co-founded Afro House in 2011. Afro House experiences have taken place in both traditional and non-traditional settings, such as The Voxel, National Aquarium, The Reginal F. Lewis Museum, Baltimore Center Stage, WTMD, Artscape, The Walters Art Museum and the Peale Center and has received support from the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, Saul Zaentz Innovation Fund, Baltimore Community Foundation, T. Rowe Price Foundation, Robert W. Deutsch Foundation and other funders.
