The First Lady and a group of Congressional Club spouses joined Sitar Arts Center, along with Higher Achievement, in a community beautification project at Marie Reed Learning Center
First Lady Michelle Obama and Congressional spouses partnered with Coming Up Taller Award-winners Sitar Arts Center and Higher Achievement for a service event Thursday, April 22 at the Marie Reed Learning Center in the Adams Morgan community of northwest Washington, DC. The group painted a mural spanning seven walls designed by Sitar’s resident muralist and Director of Program Operations, Loretta Thompson, with the help of Sitar students, in addition to planting a butterfly garden, at Marie Reed to make the space more visually engaging and vibrant for the children and members of the community.
Sitar Arts Center was honored to be chosen along with Higher Achievement by the First Lady’s Office and The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities to lead this project, giving Sitar’s students the opportunity to be engaged in giving back to the Adams Morgan neighborhood and to interact directly with the esteemed First Lady while making art.
Joined by Rachel Goslins, Executive Director of the President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities, and Rocco Landesman, Chairman of the National Endowment for the Arts, Mrs. Obama remarked to Sitar’s Executive Director Ed Spitzberg and Higher Achievement’s Executive Director Lynsey Wood Jeffries about their respective programs, “You guys are doing some phenomenal work.” To the students, Mrs. Obama said “We are so proud of you all and we want the world to see you all and understand your potential…we are so proud and we want to keep lifting you up and showing other kids that these opportunities are available.” Mrs. Obama completed a beautiful butterfly and signed it “Dream Big Dreams. Michelle Obama,” forever leaving a mark on the mural and the students who had the remarkable experience of interacting with her.
202-797-2145 or visit www.sitarartscenter.org
Sitar Arts Center
1700 Kalorama Road NW
Suite 101
Washington, DC 20009
10 Years of Celebrating Kids, Arts, and Community
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