More than two dozen D.C. residents have offered support and donations following a break-in that left Columbia Heights art nonprofit BloomBars with a broken window and missing hundreds of dollars earlier this month.
BloomBars founder John Chambers launched a GoFundMe campaign last Thursday to help recoup some of his organization’s losses. So far, residents have raised more than $1,220.
“There’s been an outpouring of support,” Chambers said. “The things that people have written have really pulled at your heart.”
Chambers added that 26 people have contributed to the fundraiser since it started. Sweet Honey in the Rock co-founder Dr. Ysaye M. Barnwell is among the people who have donated so far.
“Some have lost the art of discernment while some have used art to discern essential truths of what we have lost, what we have gained and who we truly are,” Barnwell wrote. “Thank you BloomBars. I regret what happened, but am glad that I can help art to conquer.”
“I want to frame that quote,” said Chambers.
Chambers hopes to use the raised money to replace the broken window and donation boxes and invest in a new security system.
“It’d be great to knock it out in the next week,” Chambers said. “Then we could get moving.”
Image via Facebook / BloomBars
Artz Bazaar at Art Jamz, 1742 Connecticut Avenue NW (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Luis Gomez. Catch his photos at One Photograph A Day. Follow him on Twitter @LuisGomezPhotos.
What can be better than art? Well, a local art bazaar. ArtJamz that wonderful and creative place will be hosting an Artz Bazaar, Sunday, November 18, from 11 am to 4 pm at its studio, 1742 Connecticut Avenue NW. It will be showcasing the works of local professional artists.
“ArtJamz is more than just painting and drinking; we’re here to support the Washington DC metro arts scene,” said Chief Creative Enabler Michael M. Clements. “We feel we can do that by giving our team of ArtJamz Creative Enablers as well as local artists a chance to showcase and sell their work at our Dupont Studio.”
Come early and meet the artists, listen to the music, enjoy the wine and beer and buy art.
Pieces are as low as $35; the art at ArtJamz Artz Bazaar is both affordable and beautiful. Sales will support these established and emerging artists.
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19th St. and Dupont Circle NW: A closed-off entrance to the old underground trolley car facility. (Luis Gomez Photos)
From Tom Hay
Architect Julian Hunt has grand plans for the former trolley tunnels that run under Connecticut Avenue and Dupont Circle NW.
Hunt, who lives in the Dupont Circle neighborhood, presented the vision of the non-profit Arts Coalition for Dupont Underground (ACDU) to the public on Wednesday night. ACDU was one of two respondents to a request for proposal issued by the Office the Deputy Mayor for Planning and Economic Development (DMPED) in March 2010.
The other submission, a winery, was deemed unresponsive to the specifications of the RFP, although ACDU may include space for them in the concessions area of their plans.
Right Team at Right Time
Hunt opened the presentation by saying he believes that the ACDU proposal has “cut the Gordian knot” on bringing the underground back to life. Indeed the Coalition has assembled an impressive team of developers, architects and contractors. Each group spoke of their credentials and dedication to the project. Among the notable projects on their resumes are The Phillips Collection, The Spy Museum and GALA Hispanic Theatre.
Today (July 5) is the last day for Artomatic. (Photo: Luis Gomez, Luis Gomez Photos.)
The last day for Artomatic is today, July 5, at 55 M Street SE. There is a parking garage, but you may also be able to find on-street parking.
We went to Artomatic on Friday and enjoyed it–it’s a loooooot of art. We started at the top and worked our way down, but only saw four floors. But, it’s a great chance to see the work of local artists in a number of different mediums. There are also music performances and other stuff to do; here is the roundup for this final weekend of events at Artomatic.
Corner of R & 15th Streets NW in Borderstan.(Photo: Luis Gomez.)
Truck parked on the east side of 15th Street NW Borderstan. (Photo: Luis Gomez.)
There have been trucks and cranes and “No Parking” signs all over this part of the city today. Yesterday the signs appeared in Borderstan and today there were orange cones on 15th Street between R and Corcoran Streets NW.
Tonight we finally know why: a movie production company is filming in Borderstan. Trucks and crews are all around… setting up lighting or just putting down equipment. We don’t really know much about the movie yet, but a good guess is that it’s the Reese Witherspoon-Paul Rudd-Owen Wilson movie that was doing production in Adams Morgan today.
The 26th annual Dupont-Kalorama Museum Walk Weekend is this weekend, June 6-7. Details, including a map of participating museums is at the Dupont Kalorama Museums Consortium Web site. You can also download and print the program/schedule of events (PDF).
Artomatic 2009 is May 29 to July 5 at the Capitol Riverfront, 55 M Street SE. (Image: Artomatic Web site.)
This year’s Artomatic is May 29 to July 5 at 55 M Street SE in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood… on the Metro Green Line at Navy Yard. Details below and at the Artomatic Web site.
Mid City Artists are having open studios this weekend, May 16-17. A number of the artists are located in Borderstan. (Image: Mid City Artists Web site.)
A number of artists’ studios are right here in Borderstan (link to PDF map here). Mid City Artists (MCA) are having open studios this weekend. The opening reception is this Friday, 5 to 8 p.m., at Coldwell Banker at 1607 17th Street NW. From MCA’s Web site:
Artomatic 2009 is May 29 to July 5 in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood at 55 M Street SE. (Image: Artomatic Web site.)
This year’s Artomatic is May 29 to July 5 at 55 M Street SE in the Capitol Riverfront neighborhood… on the Metro Green Line at Navy Yard. Registration is now open for artists who want to participate in Artomatic. Details below and at the Artomatic Web site.
Yes, life will return to normal in Borderstan and Washington. If you have decided to watch the Inauguration festivities on television/online–and avoid the crowds–you may be ready to get out and go some something by mid-week. Here are a few activities and events coming up later this week, January 21 and 22. Listing is from “D.C. Community Events” in The Washington Post’s weekly Extra section for D.C.
Artist’s rendering of a 1959 design for the National Cultural Center, which would ultimately be called The Kennedy Center. (Image: Greater Greater Washington.)
Just had to share this posting and photo from Greater Greater Washington. (It’s a favorite local blog of mine.) This is a 1959 artist’s rendering of what might have been The Kennedy Center, then referred to as the National Cultural Center.
Personally, I like this 1959 design better. The building is joined with the Potomac River. I have never figured out why the current building is cut off from the water. We seem to deny our waterfront.
14th & You is one of my favorite local bloggers. She writes a lot of original postings–unlike moi who hurriedly links to lots of stuff from many sources–on neighborhood topics. So, here are three things you should read today over at 14th & You. Besides, it’s early, I’m not awake and I have a crazy day ahead at work.
- More Holiday Happenings. A really HUGE list.
- How the Arts Overlay District Could Stymie 14th Street Development. Interesting piece, a MUST READ.
- Teen Stabbed at 13th and U; Proceeds to Board Metro Train. Yeah, another violent crime story in the neighborhood. Is it just me, or is it starting to feel like the Barry years?
ACTIVATE is the Source Theater’s grand opening celebration, Nov. 22-23, at 1835 14th Street NW. (Image from Source Theater Web site.)
From the Source Theater at 1835 14th Street NW:
On November 22-23, 2008, Cultural Development Corporation is hosting a community opening weekend to celebrate the newly renovated Source. The celebration will spread over both days, with parties, performances, classes and workshops.
Saturday, November 22: Red Light Source
Celebrate the Grand Opening of the marvelously new Source in style with DJ Neville C and midnight cabaret with go-go and performances from Washington Improv Theater and Special Agent Galactica.
10 p.m. – 2 a.m. | Cash Bar | Ages 21 and Up | $20 in advance $25 at the door | Purchase tickets online.
To volunteer on Saturday, please visit www.activate1.eventbrite.com.
Sunday, November 23: Community Open House
Drop by our day-long open house to catch (free!) performances, workshops, and classes that offer a chance to step behind the curtain of the performing arts. Catch a class on slam poetry, learn traditional Latin dance, sign your kids up for Adventure Theatre’s exciting lightsaber workshop and watch the best of the 2008 Source Festival in the afternoon.
Check out Sunday’s Schedule!
The weekend festivities will introduce Source to many people in the community and welcome back others familiar with the landmark theatre. For more information about the event, Source, or Cultural Development Corporation, please contact Merin Frank at 202.315.1322 or [email protected].
To volunteer on Sunday, please visit www.activate2.eventbrite.com.
FotoWeekDC runs through Saturday, November 22. (Image courtesy of gallery plan b at 1530 14th Street NW in Borderstan.)
If you appreciate the medium of photography as an art form, this is an event that looks like it will be a must-attend. The first annual FotoWeek DC started Monday, November 17. Even better, you don’t even have to leave Borderstan to visit some of the galleries that are participating in the event.
FotoWeek DC is a week-long event that includes gallery and museum exhibits, a closing FotoWeek DC Gala at National Geographic (tickets $85), exhibitions at embassies and publishing companies, the Tech Pavillion (with equipment exhibitors) and more. You can check out the complete list of events.
Here is FotoWeek DC’s description of the event:
The week of November 15-22, 2008 will mark the launch of FotoWeek DC, the first annual gathering of a diverse and wide-ranging photography community in the nation’s capital, including photographers, museums, universities and all those involved in the profession across the metro D.C. area, including Virginia and Maryland. Unique among American cities, Washington, D.C. is a nexus of artistic, business, political and public sector energy, in which photography plays an integral role. FotoWeek DC seeks to bring together all photographers and imaging professionals from every discipline to join with the public in celebration of the medium.
Several galleries in the Greater Borderstan area are participating in FotoWeek DC:
- Borderstan’s own Gallery plan b, 1530 14th Street, NW. Photographers include Kermit Berg, Christopher Dubia, Susan Engle, Jeff Gay, Charlie Gaynor, Juditha, Sook Young Lee, John Skwiot, Jim Vecchione and David Young.
- Adamson Gallery, 1515 14th Street NW. Exhibition: Lawrence Schiller.
- Curator’s Office, 1515 14th Street NW. Exhibition: “Vanitas”, Exhibition of Photography & Film; Artists: Nicholas & Sheila Pye.
- Hamiltonian Gallery, 1353 U Street NW. hibition: Jonathan B. French, Michael Dax Iacovone and Anne Chan. Panel Discussion led by Exhibiting Artists Jonathan B. French, Michael Dax Iacovone and Anne Chan.
- HEMPHILL, 1515 14th Street NW. Exhibitions: Hiroshi Sugimoto: Drive-in Theaters and Portraits; and Kendall Messick: The Projectionist.
- Irvine Contemporary, 1412 14th Street NW. Exhibition: New works by Kahn & Selesnick, Gina Brocker, Marla Rutherford and Kerry Skarbakka.
- Nevin Kelly Gallery, 1517 U Street NW. Exhibition: Temporary Constructions: New Photographs by Stirling Elmendorf and Mark Parascandola.
- Located in Borderstan, The Pink Line Project / Ten Miles Square, 1444 Church Street NW. Exhibit: “Fixation.”
- Project 4 Gallery, 1353 U Street NW. Exhibition: ThomasMüller.
- Smith Farm Center for Healing and the Arts; The Healing Arts Gallery, 1632 U Street NW. Exhibition: VISIONS OF PARADISE: Nine National Geographic Contemporary Masters (William Albert Allard, Jodi Cobb, David Doubilet, Beverly Joubert, Michael Nichols, Paul Nicklen, Randy Olson, Joel Sartore and Mike Yamashita).
- Transformer, 1404 P Street NW.
“Honey Brown Eyes” opens October 22 at the JCC’s Theater J. (Image from Theater J Web site.)
You can attend the theater without ever leaving Borderstan at The JCC’s Theater J at 16th and Q Streets NW. “Honey Brown Eyes” opens October 22 and runs through November 30. Details below, from Theater J’s Web page.
- The Show: “Honey Brown Eyes”
- When: October 22 through November 30, 2008.
- Who: A World Premiere by Stefanie Zadravec; directed by Jessica Lefkow. Featuring Theater J Artistic Associate In Residence Alexander Strain (Helen Hayes Nomination for Pangs of the Messiah).
- Tickets: Information about tickets here.
- About the Performance: “Bosnia 1992. In two kitchens, two soldiers recover a little of what they’ve lost during the war. A Serbian paramilitary must face the consequences of his own brutality, while a Bosnian resistance fighter, crippled by the limits of his own courage, seeks refuge with a kindred soul. Unlikely partnerships emerge in this play of horror, humanity, and stunning relevance.”
