MAYOR ADRIAN M. FENTY AND THE DC COMMISSION ON THE ARTS & HUMANITIES PROVIDE ART INSTALLATION FOR COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PARK

Columbia Heights Park Ribbon Cutting
14th & Girard Street, NW
Friday July 10, 12:00 pm

Community celebration of the opening of the new 14th and Girard Park will continue on Saturday, July 11, as DPR in partnership with the Columbia Heights/Shaw Family Support Collaborative, will host a community celebration from 6 to 9 pm.

All are invited to come out and enjoy fun, food, and entertainment.

Washington, DC – On Friday July 10, 2009, Mayor Adrian M. Fenty along with Ward 1 Councilmember Jim Graham; the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities’ Executive Director, Gloria Nauden; Ximena Hartsock, DC Department of Parks and Recreation (DPR) Acting Director; will join the Columbia Heights community at the new 14th and Girard Street Park for a ribbon cutting ceremony celebrating the completion and opening of DPR’s newest park.

Redevelopment of the park began with a community-driven planning and design process in spring 2007 with the goal of completely redeveloping the existing park to better serve the community. Demolition of the old park, which featured large amounts of concrete and little usable green space, began in December 2008, and construction of a completely new park began earlier this year. The DC Housing Authority provided construction management for this DPR capital improvement project.

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, located just one block from the park, has joined with DPR as a community partner and will be overseeing a mural installation by a professional artist or artist team which will work with local residents and youth to design and install the work on the 750 square foot east wall of the outdoor multi-use playcourt.

“The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities is proud to participate in this great project. The Commission is committed to giving every community in the District the opportunity to experience the great work that our city's artists have to offer,” said Commission Executive Director, Gloria Nauden.

The Commission has recently received applications from DC artists and arts organizations to be considered by an art selection panel comprised of representatives from the community, youth, District government agencies, and architects. The selected artist will be required to facilitate at least five workshops for a group of youth in the neighborhood to participate in the design and installation of the mural.

Featured Muralist: KARLISIMA

Karlisima has created the first major mural in Washington DC to include President Obama, standing with the 10 most recent presidents of the United States. The mural, beginning with President Dwight Eisenhower in chronological order all the way to Obama, is now on display at 1967 Calvert Street NW, Washington, DC at the Mama Ayesha’s Restaurant.

Washington, DC artist Karlisima has created a 60’ x 25’ mural for the community which will educate and delight generations to come. Working nonstop for months, the artist unveiled the presidential mural in January. This historical mural is funded by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the Mama Ayesha’s Restaurant, the ANC (The Adams Morgan Advisory Neighborhood Commission) and Private Sponsors.

The mural is being unveiled at President Obama’s Historical Moment: The first African-American President ever elected in the History of the USA. The mural also includes major D.C. landmarks such as the White House, the Lincoln Memorial, Jefferson Memorial, the Capitol and Washington Monument, giving the mural a look of DC's largest postcard on a wall.

The 60’ x 25’ Mural was unveiled on Monday January 19th 2009, prior to Obama’s inauguration. The Mural is now available for Public viewing anytime at the Mama Ayesha’s Restaurant, location outside restaurant wall, at 1967 Calvert Street NW, Washington DC, 20009 by the Duke Ellington Bridge.(www.mamaayesha’s.com)

Creating a mural of this magnitude takes the support of many segments of a community and the dedication and vision of the artist to contribute to and enliven a space for its citizens. The subject matter and theme of this mural are relevant to the times. There's also a surprise element in the mural for the future. You won't want to miss seeing this beautiful new creation to DC's Public Art feasts.

Karlisima would like to thank the Art Initiative of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities:

“The P.A.B.C. initiative (Public Art Building Communities), has allowed me to make a bridge between the community, the Restaurant Mama Ayesha’s, the arts and all the people who have made this mural a reality. This could not be done without the support of all the community and the help of the DC Commission and the Restaurant and all the entities who funded the project. I hope that this mural will become a teaching tool of the History of the Presidents for schools, children and the public in general. This is a gift to the City of Washington DC to celebrate this historical moment in American History and will remain open to the public to see for generations to come. This is fulfilling the idea that mural art is available for the public and for the masses.”

You can see more work by Karlisima at
www.Karlisima.com

Contact Press Coordinator: Mayamerica Cortez
703-731-9841

Mural location:
Mama Ayesha’s Restaurant (by the Duke Ellington Bridge)
1967 Calvert Street NW
Washington DC, 20009
(www.mamaayesha’s.com)

O' Christmas Tree

Here's the community christmas tree decorated every year by kids, parents and friends in a little get together in the Westminster Playground. The mural,"Community," loves the company.

Westminster Playground
913 Westminster Street NW (between S and T Sts.)
Washington, DC

DC Creates Public Art mural by Anne Marchand
Community, acrylic, 34' x 34'

DC Creates Public Art

A couple of my murals are featured on this public art video put together by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.

Westminster Playground, Washington, DC
Takoma Community Center, Washington, DC

Other Public Art Projects