SW ArtsFest 2011 news

 (e)merge art fair Friday–Sunday The (e)merge art fair (www.emergeartfair.com) will take place at the Capitol Skyline Hotel, 10 I St., SW. (e)merge starts with a private preview on Thursday. The Fair will feature vetted exhibitions of art by DC-Baltimore area and international emerging galleries, nonprofits, and unrepresented artists, as well as panel discussions and performances, all for a public admission fee of $10.

 

This September, DC’s smallest quadrant will hold its first annual SW ArtsFest. SW ArtsFest 2011 will bring together nine different organizations to present a cross-section of Southwest’s cultural community through a three-day festival with the theme “Discover Southwest.” The collaboration will include the (e)merge art fair and the Marcātus Creative Art Market, performances and children’s activities at Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater, the 10th Annual DC Jazz Preservation Festival, the Amnesty International Human Rights Film Festival, an outdoor art studio for children, and much more.

Location: Various Venues in Southwest, DC
Schedule: Friday September 23 to Sunday September 25, 2011For complete up-to-date info visit: http://www.swdcartsfest.org.
For general info email: info@swdcartsfest.org and swartsfest@gmail.com.
For sponsorship info email: sponsorships@swdcartsfest.org.
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A version of this article will run in the August issue of the neighborhood newspaper, The Southwester.
from David Sobelsohn
SW ArtsFest 2011
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SW ARTSFEST PREVIEW

This fall, from Friday-Sunday September 23-25, The Southwest Neighborhood will hold its first annual SW ArtsFest.

The first annual arts festival will take place this September. Its theme: “Discover Southwest.”  At SWNA’s July meeting, SW ArtsFest 2011’s producers previewed their offerings.

• TR SW’s John Viglianti described the (e)merge art fair.  In the Capitol Skyline, from 12 noon Friday the 23d to 5 p.m. Sunday the 25th, (e)merge will showcase art from regional and international emerging artists and galleries, and include panel discussions with artists, collectors, and curators.  Among SW ArtsFest events only (e)merge will charge admission ($15/$10 for students and seniors). Partly for Skyline’s hosting of (e)merge, the Washington City Paper recently named hotelier Mera Rubell DC’s “Art Messiah.”

• At the other end of Southwest from the Skyline, redevelopment promises a wonderful new waterfront.  As Bob Rubenkonig reported, from 6 p.m. Friday to 4 p.m. Sunday, as part of SW ArtsFest 2011, PN Hoffman/Madison Waterfront will provide music, food, and a sock-monkey art studio at Water and 7th Streets.  The music and art are free, but you must provide your own socks.

• 2011 marks the 50th anniversary of Arena Stage’s move to its current home, across Maine Avenue from the waterfront.  Desirée Urquhart, Arena’s Director of Government and Community Relations, described Arena’s plans for hand-dance (DC swing) performances, tours of its new facilities, and family-oriented theater activities, all 12-6 p.m. Saturday.

• ArtsFest 2011 also brings together events Southwest has hosted before. Across M Street from Arena Stage, St. Augustine’s Episcopal Church holds an annual End-of-Summer fair.  As Virginia Mathis described, from 9-5 Saturday, this year’s End-of-Summer fair will feature face painting, raffles, jewelry, St. A’s famous fried-fish sandwiches, home-baked desserts, music and more.  That same day, from 12-8, Westminster Presbyterian Church, at 4th and I Streets, will hold its 10th annual DC Jazz Preservation Festival.  Reverend Ruth Hamilton described Westminster’s offerings of paintings, crafts, clothing, and food.

• Westminster shares the 4th and I intersection with Christ United Methodist Church.  Michael Mack described Christ UMC’s Saturday plans to present a concert by folk-music legend Donal Leace; art from Art Enables, a gallery for artists with mental or developmental disabilities; and--at the Southwest Library--dramatic readings highlighting Southwest history.  From 1-8 Sunday, at Westminster Church, Christ UMC will co-sponsor a documentary festival, including films about Martin Luther King, Jr., the Palestinians, the death penalty, and a real-life African prince sold into slavery in the antebellum South.

• Adding to ArtsFest’s musical offerings, Carrie Dorsey described the Second Baptist Church Southwest’s plans for Saturday performances on Canal Street by choirs, dancers, and bands from 14 neighborhood churches.

• Finally, for a decade Southwest residents have enjoyed Cultural Tourism DC’s neighborhood walking tours.  At July’s SWNA meeting, Washington Walks founder Carolyn Crouch described the four free 90-minute walking tours she’ll lead around Southwest Saturday and Sunday September 24 and 25.

• SW ArtsFest 2011 also hopes to include the Marcātus Creative Art Market, with arts, crafts, and food; and a Second Union Baptist Church flea market.

SW ArtsFest 2011 needs volunteers!  Volunteers can fill a variety of needs, from public relations to litter patrol.  Former SWNA president Carolyn Mitchell is heading up SW ArtsFest’s volunteer effort.  Become part of SW ArtsFest 2011!  Email volunteerswartsfest@yahoo.com or call 202-320-3123.