UMBI’s Crabtown Crab Entitled “Blue Life” Depicts the Life Cycle of the
Maryland Blue Crab and is on Display at the Columbus Center

Baltimore, MD - The University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI) has sponsored the painting of a Crabtown Project fiberglass blue crab, aptly named “Blue Life”. The crab depicts the life cycle of the Maryland Blue Crab and is reflective of the extensive scientific study of the life cycle of the Maryland Blue Crab done at UMBI’s Center for Marine Biotechnology (COMB). COMB is located at the Columbus Center on the Inner Harbor.

Abstract artist and printmaker Francine (Fran) Brady, wife of Jim Brady, a UMBI Board of Visitors member, was commissioned to paint UMBI’s Crabtown Crab. Mrs. Brady’s design is painted on a blue background with the different stages of the Maryland Blue Crab life cycle depicted. Mrs. Brady said, “I went to the UMBI website and found out more about the research on the blue crab being done at COMB. I wanted this project to be relevant to UMBI and also to me. What clicked for me was the information on the life cycle of the crab.” “Several years ago, I had done a body of work about the human life cycle, so this was a ‘Eureka’ moment! I then visited the Center of Marine Biotechnology’s blue crab hatchery lab and that made my decision final-the imagery of the different life stages of the Maryland blue Crab was beautiful!” she explained. “This project was a great challenge on many levels: logistically, compositionally, and artistically, but I enjoyed the challenge and am pleased with the outcome.”

The Crabtown Project is part of the Believe in Our Schools Fund and UMBI’s donation will support Baltimore City Public Schools and their ability to send students to the Sci-Tech hands-on lab programs at the Columbus Center. In addition, proceeds will also support clean-up activities at city schools.

More than 200 fiberglass crabs decorated by different artists are currently on display throughout Baltimore City. Many of the crabs will be auctioned off after their fall showing on the streets but the UMBI Crab will remain the property of UMBI and will remain on display at the Columbus Center.

Dr. Jennie Hunter-Cevera, President of UMBI noted “This is a great way for UMBI to celebrate our 20th anniversary year and highlight the marine research done right here in the heart of the inner harbor. In addition, it is an excellent opportunity for us to support the Baltimore City Public Schools. We thank the City for earmarking our donation to further support hands-on science learning opportunities and to provide students with the proper tools to learn, explore, and gain new scientific knowledge.”

For more information, please contact Alicia Moran at moran@umbi.umd.edu

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Celebrating our 20th anniversary year, UMBI is the first and only biotechnology research institute within the University System of Maryland and was established in 1985. The University of Maryland Biotechnology Institute (UMBI) consists of five major research and education centers and is dedicated to advancing the frontiers of biotechnology. UMBI’s centers of research include: CARB, the Center for Advanced Research in Biotechnology located in Rockville; CBR, the Center for Biosystems Research located in College Park; and COMB, the Center of Marine Biotechnology, MBC, the Medical Biotechnology Center, and IHV, the Institute of Human Virology, all located in Baltimore. For more information, visit www.umbi.umd.edu