FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Friday, November 12, 2010

MEDIA INQUIRIES
DCCAH Rebecca Landwehr, rebecca.landwehr@dc.gov
DHCD Najuma Thorpe, najuma.thorpe@dc.gov

GREEN PUBLIC ART INSTALLION IN HISTORIC ANACOSTIA

Youth Complete “Gateway to a Great Community” at Good Hope Road & Martin Luther King Jr. Ave SE

The DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, in partnership with the Department of Housing and Community Development, is proud to announce the installment of the first-ever green public-art installation in Washington, DC. This project was completed as part of the 2010 Media Arts Camp through the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program.

Located on the corner of Good Hope Road and Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE, the mural serves as the gateway to Historic Anacostia, depicting the history of the area and combining the unique stories of the diverse individuals within this vibrant East of the River community. DC Youth from DCCAH’s Summer Youth Employment Program Media Arts Camp collaborated over a six-week period under the direction of two local artists, Tim Conlon and Billy Colbert, to create a mural concept. All materials from the project consist of reclaimed wood, recycled aluminum and organic moss, making it the first “Green” public art project in Washington, DC. The goal of the project was to create a community public art piece as part of the Summer Youth Employment Program. Youth worked in graphic design and digital rendering to plan the project; and were exposed to screen printing and woodworking to implement the finished product.

DCCAH and DHCD held several community stakeholder roundtable discussions with residents and community leaders to discuss installing the temporary mural to remove the blight associated with the location while DHCD works to identify a redevelopment plan for the property. This initiative between these two government entities represents a best practice; where art truly builds community.

During summer 2010, 100 youth from across DC worked with media arts organizations throughout the city in order to develop their skills in video, photography, radio, graphic design, and online media to aid local businesses in Anacostia. Youth produced short films, television commercials, a website, social media campaign, radio commercials, special events and fliers as part of the inaugural Media Arts Camp Program. This mural project is the product of local youth artists’ drive to create an artistic work based in the Anacostia community.

RIBBON CUTTING:
Date: Tuesday, November 16
Time: 1:30pm
Location: DC Department of Housing and Community Development
1800 Martin Luther King Jr. Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20020

About the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities:
The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities provides grants, professional opportunities, education enrichment, and other programs and services to individuals and nonprofit organizations in all communities within the District of Columbia. Since 1968, the District of Columbia Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) has developed and promoted local artists, organizations and activities.

About the DC Department of Housing and Community Development:
The mission of the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) is to create and preserve opportunities for affordable housing and economic development and to revitalize underserved communities in the District of Columbia.

For photos of the mural progress, click here.

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