The DC Convention Center is bringing its artistic side out

The DC Convention Center is bringing its artistic side out. With a first-of-its-kind exhibit to fill windows and exterior gallery spaces with art, the Windows Into DC show is a reflection of our community. A little known fact about the Convention Center is that it houses a dynamic $4 million permanent art collection. With this new show, the Convention Center extends its inner-artists out to the sidewalk spaces around the building.

This is the time to take another look at the Convention Center. Thirteen DC artists created installations and new artworks for the exhibit. “Filling empty spaces with art is a great way to beautify the community and connect with new audiences,” says Windows into DC Artist Tim Conlon. “My Shaw Scrabble piece is a fun play with the words that connote the community. This way, area residents will see themselves reflected in the windows.”

The artists are: Beth Baldwin, Jason Clark, Tim Conlon, Liani Foster, Amber Robles-Gordon, Eve Hennessa, Michael Dax Iacovone, Anne Marchand, Cory Oberndorfer, Michael Platt & Carol A. Beane, Kelly Towles, Aneikan Udofia, Colin Winterbottom, The New Community for Children and singer, songwriter, KUKU, the Afro-Soul Acoustic Experience. (http://www.kukulive.com)

The entire DC community is invited to a ribbon-cutting ceremony with Mayor Adrian M. Fenty at 5:00 PM on Tuesday, September 29 at 7th & M Streets outside of the Mt Vernon Sq/7th St-Convention Center Metro entrance. At that time, young students from the New Community for Children will be finishing their three-panel art piece that shows their pint-size view of Shaw.KUKU will be performing, 4:30 PM - 5:00 PM on Tuesday at 7th & M Streets outside of the Mt Vernon Sq/7th St-Convention Center Metro entrance.

Pick up a Windows Into DC brochure at the information desks located in the Grand Lobby. The installation will be open through March 2010.

Source: Massey Media Own The Press

Tony Gittens to Leave Arts Commission, Stay With Filmfest DC

Tony Gittens has been with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for as long as I can remember. As executive director of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, he has helped the city bring the artscene to life over the past eleven+ years. Before his watch, I don't recall the amount of public art, funding opportunities and programs that are now available to local DC artists and art organizations. It's been a pleasure to witness the changing face of public art under Tony Gitten's watch. From my view, he's put together a great team of players who are working diligently to keep the arts centerstage in Washington, DC. As well as thanking him for his commitment and dedication, I wish him many more successes in his next endeavors!

Read today's WaPO article about Tony Gittens career with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

In the past decade, the arts commission has raised its visibility through a number of programs. The agency initiated the Party Animals project, a public display of donkeys and elephants designed by artists, which it followed with a similar public art exhibition of painted pandas.The commission revived the honorary Mayor's Arts Awards and managed the art program for the Washington Convention Center and the John A. Wilson Building. "The commission felt the public doesn't have to go to museums to see art," said Gittens.

The commission provides funding for Artomatic, a volunteer organization that hosts an annual multimedia art festival, and also has purchased work from Artomatic participants. By Jacqueline Trescott

Washington Post Staff Writer
Wednesday, June 11, 2008

Name Change for Convention Center

The Washington Convention Center Authority said Monday it is changing the name of the city's convention center to honor D.C.'s first elected mayor, Walter E. Washington.

The 2.3 million-square-foot center at 801 Mount Vernon Place NW is currently known as the Washington Convention Center. Constructed in 2003 for $850 million, it is the largest publicly financed project built in the city.

The building will officially become the Walter E. Washington Convention Center at a dedication ceremony Nov. 5, the authority said. The D.C. Council approved the legislation for the name change last year.