Style Spotlight: Baltimore Charms with Blockbusters

Walter Wick’s “On a Scary Shelf,” from his book, Can You See What I See? On A Scary Night, is on view at the Walters Art Museum.

Charm City rolls out the red carpet with four blockbuster exhibitions at major Baltimore institutions this season. There’s sure to be something for everyone, but you’d better act quickly; tickets are selling fast!

• Explore the later works of an American icon in “Andy Warhol: The Last Decade,” at the Baltimore Museum of Art through Jan. 9, 2011. The collection of 50 paintings, including self portraits and three variations of Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper,” makes its final stop of a national tour in Baltimore. Visit www.artbma.org to purchase tickets.

• “What Makes Us Smile?” We dare you to be in a bad mood when you check out this exhibition at the American Visionary Art Museum through Sept. 4. Curated by The Simpsons creator Matt Groening, painter and illustrator Gary Panter and museum founder Rebecca Hoffberger, this exploration of humor includes vintage toy assemblages by comedian and dumpster diver Michael Baldwin and a 7,000-toothbrush welcome mat that invites all to “smile.” See more at www.avam.org.

• Dissect the seemingly infinite details of Walter Wick’s photographic illustrations in “Walter Wick: Games, Gizmos, and Toys in the Attic” through Jan. 2 at the Walters Art Museum. You’ll get a behind-the-scenes look at the co-creator of the beloved I Spy book series, whose love for puzzles, games and illusions is clearly illustrated in his works. Go to http://thewalters.org to learn more.

• Feast your eyes on 14,000 artifacts that laid hidden on the ocean floor for more than a century. The Maryland Science Center presents the compelling story of one of the world’s most famous shipwrecks in “Odyssey’s Shipwreck! Pirates & Treasure” through Jan. 31. Dive in at www.mdsci.org.