New York Times recently cited Light City as a reason that Baltimore was chosen as one of 52 places in the world to go this year.

The event generated an estimated $19.9 million in direct spending in Baltimore, leading to an additional estimated $13.9 million in indirect impact and $30.5 million in employment wages in Maryland.

"Light City Baltimore certainly proved to be a money driver. More than $33 Million was added to the local economy." - George Solis, CBS Baltimore. “This is more than just an arts festival, it is an economic development tool, a driver of opportunity for the city,” said Justin Allen, Co-Founder Light City Baltimore.”

“Look at all these people! They are so happy.” Brooke Hall, founder and CEO of What Works Studio, marveled at Baltimore’s first Light City festival, but she wasn’t just one of the 400,000 visitors who took in the interactive light and art installations. Along with her husband and co-founder Justin Allen, she dreamed up the Light City idea, and used it to illuminate Baltimore.”

“Brooke Hall, the creator of Light City, said though she was excited about the festival’s economic impact, it was about more than the numbers. She emphasized the importance of the city’s spirit and sense of community that week. “It’s hard to measure how you uplift a community, but I think we were able to do that,” Hall said. Hall said she is confident that next year will be a success. “Light City is my baby. You’ll always be connected to your baby,” Hall said. “I’m excited to see it grow.”

“Baltimore is brimming with artists. Surprised? “We find that no one really knows that,” says Brooke Hall, CEO of What Works Studio, a local creative agency. So she and her husband, Justin Allen, have co-created Light City Baltimore, a seven-day arts, music and ideas festival March 28-April 3. “We’re trying to shine a light on the Baltimore that you never see on the national news.”

“The [Light City Baltimore] event was conceived by Brooke Hall and Justin Allen of What Works Studio. Allen and Hall, who are married to each other, had worked for three years to bring the festival to Baltimore.

“If you don’t like what you see back in your past, look ahead and build something new.” -Brooke Hall from the Wonder Women Panel