DC Creates A Public Art Master Plan

We are in the midst of creating a strategic plan for DC Creates Public Art. Over the past several months, we've met with artists, curators, DC government agencies and community members to shape our vision for the future. It's an exciting time for the program.

We found this page, created by a fan of DC Creates Public Art. Though the site is old, it's proof that DC Public Art has made an impact far beyond the beltway region. The goal of our Master Plan is to continue this tradition of excellence in art for the District, and to expand the program even further in response to our community.

More on the Master Plan to come as we prepare to present it to the public.

For more information on DC Creates Public Art programs and initiatives, call 202.724.5613.

Community Art in Adams Morgan

Check out this Washington Post article, published yesterday, about a creative use for the Adams Morgan kiosk at the corner of 18th and Columbia St. NW. This innovative project is a testament to the community's unique take on Public Art.

The kiosk will soon be the site of a new DC Creates Public Art installation. Selected artists and proposals will be announced in early 2009.

DC Creates Public Art

Wilson Building Tour: City Hall Art Collection

The next tour of the Wilson Building Art Collection will be Thursday January 29, 2009 at 4:30pm. Join us for the first tour of the New Year, featuring a new focus on individual artists and their stories.

Tour of the City Hall Art Collection HeART of DC

Thursday January 29, 2009

4:30pm

1350 Pennsylvania Ave, NW

Tours meet in the lobby on the Pennsylvania Avenue side and last approximately 60 minutes. For more information please call 202.724.5613.

Call for Artist: Youth Center Mural

Call for Artist
DC CREATES PUBLIC ART
Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services: Youth Center Mural
Budget: $75,000
Deadline: Friday, January 16, 2009

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) in collaboration with Department of Youth Rehabilitation Services (DYRS) seek an artist or artist team to design, create and install a mural that will be centrally located in the new 60-bed state-of-the-art secured juvenile rehabilitation facility located in Laurel, Maryland (the Youth Center). The goal of this project is to help enliven and reinforce a sense of place within this facility and encourage the youth in positive behavior through design and creation of this large colorful mural. The selected artist(s) will be required to engage youth in the project.

For more information and to download an application, please visit Public Art--Current Call for Entries or call 202.734.5613.

Spotlight on Local Artists: Margaret Boozer’s Accumulation at Project 4

Spotlight on Local Artists is an occasional feature on artists who have worked with DC Creates Public Art. This week we feature Margaret Boozer, part of the Wilson Building Art Collection, an exhibition of local DC artists curated by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. This past summer we interviewed Margaret Boozer for the first time. This entry continues that discussion with her latest work.

Last night we visited the opening of Accumulation by artist Margaret Boozer at Project 4 Gallery. We spoke to Boozer to learn about her creative process and this new exhibition.

Boozer is internationally renowned for her sculptural works, whose materials hail from the very earth we trample on (or avoid) every day. Influenced by her environment, she uses local materials found near her studio, specifically rich red clay from Mount Rainier. Boozer kiln fires these clay pieces, working with existing textures and colors, often enhancing their natural beauty.

Combining the pieces in sprawling or geometric forms, Boozer assembles her work on the bottom floor of her home and snaps aerial photos to serve as templates. She and her team of assistants then assemble the pieces into a finished work by projecting these templates onto a wall. Boozer says although the template provides a guide, a significant portion of each work is created fresh during the fabrication process. When the piece is de-installed, individual parts can be combined into a totally new work, rendering her creations both temporary and permanent. Boozer named her exhibition Accumulation because it represents her years collecting pieces of the earth. Some objects have been manipulated, others she displays as she found them.



With “an eye for painting and a mind for experimentation,” her work is “unexpectedly recognizable as a variety of subject matter that crosses genres between representation and abstraction, painting and sculpture.” (Project 4) Boozer likes the detail and expanse of her projects, noting that her pieces are equally striking in full and in close view (see photos below). As she continues to play with shape, color and texture, Boozer’s creations become increasingly satisfying in their rich complexity.

Photos by Kendra Anderson

For more information on Margaret Boozer and Red Dirt Studio, visit http://www.margaretboozer.com.

To see Accumulation visit the gallery at 1353 U St NW, 3rd floor, or log onto http://www.project4gallery.com/

For more about DC Creates Public Art Artists, call 202.724.5613.

LeDroit Park Mural Dedication this Saturday

WHO: The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and The LeDroit Park Community
WHAT: LeDroit Park Community Mural Dedication
WHERE: 239 Elm Street, NW next to the Gage-Eckington Elementary School
WHEN: December 13^th, 2008 from 11:00am – 2:00pm (Rain or Shine)
WHY: To celebrate the completion of a beautiful community mural!

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities in collaboration with residents from the LeDroit Park community selected muralist Garin Baker to design, create and install this mural in the center of the neighborhood. LeDroit Park is a small neighborhood filled with unique architectural characteristics and historical significance to Washington D.C. The LeDroit Park community, although small in number and size has an extraordinary amount of pride and spirit. The mural ties in the historical context of the neighborhood while enforcing a positive message; the mural is aptly entitled “This is How We Live”. Mr. Baker worked closely with the community in the development of the mural and will be leading an arts workshop immediately after the dedication. “I love the results of this mural”, says Gloria Nauden, Executive Director of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities. I really feel it captures all the elements of what makes LeDroit Park unique.”

According to Mayor Adrian M. Fenty: “This initiative will visually engage residents through a beautiful neighborhood mural that depicts the unique landscapes, people and images of the historic LeDroit Park community. The mural will become a prominent landmark in the neighborhood for years to come. Long time D.C. resident Dana Bryson says “The mural is the result of a community effort and it celebrates the beautiful people and history of LeDroit Park. “This celebratory mural marks the beginning of a renaissance that is taking place at the site of the former Gage-Eckington School, which will soon have a green-civic plaza, a community garden and new play garden for the children and a senior community center."

CONTACT: Mas Tadesse, PR | masresha.tadesse@dc.gov

Gloria Nauden, Executive Director | gloria.nauden@dc.gov