Grace Nalls

Born Grace Lucille Arnold in Baltimore and raised in Forest Park, she was a 1947 Eastern High School graduate and performed in school plays. She received a diploma from the Maryland Institute College of Art and earned a bachelor's degree from the College of Notre Dame of Maryland. As a young woman, she worked as a commercial artist at the old Reliable Stores on West Baltimore Street. She taught art at Hampstead Hill Junior High until 1955 when she married Owen E. Nalls, also a commercial artist. Mrs. Nalls was a professional model as well as a singer. She performed with the old Baltimore Civic Opera Company's productions of "Aida," "Martha," "Manon" and "La Traviata." She also appeared with the Baltimore Actors' Theater and in dinner theaters. Mrs. Nalls, a member of AFTRA and SAG, worked as an actress in local movie productions. She had a small role in John Waters' 2004 film, "A Dirty Shame."