Category Archives: DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

Commemoration of the Slaves who Built the US Capitol

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Glass art by Michael Janis

The recent order from President Trump to rescind DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion) programs has led to a noticeable downplaying of Black History Month across government agencies. The U.S. State Department, for instance, has prohibited public events or messages celebrating the month, which has been a staple of American culture since the 1970s.

Michael Janis’ design for DC Ward 5 Memorial

In contrast, local organizations in Washington, DC, are stepping up to honor Black history and contributions. The Lamond Riggs Library Friends, in collaboration with the DC Office of Planning, is hosting Foundations of Freedom: Recognizing the Enslaved People Who Built the U.S. Capitol. This special event will introduce WGS Director Michael Janis’ design for a new DC Memorial to Honor the Enslaved People Who Built the U.S. Capitol for Ward 5. Along with DC’s Office of Planning staff, Michael will offer an overview of a public art proposal. The program will include storytelling, a discussion of the design process, and a Q&A session to engage the community.

Thursday, February 6, 2025 from 1 pm – 3 pm @ Lamond-Riggs DC Public Library, 5401 South Dakota Ave NE, WDC.

For more information – click on link to jump to DCPL site: https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/12875262

Posted in african american glass, american craft, american glass, architect of the capitol, architecture, black artists of DC, bullseye, creative economy, creative glass, DC, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, future of glass, glass architecture., history project, kiln-formed, martin luther king jr, michael janis, mike janis, Public Art, studio art glass, studio artist, US Department of State, warm glass, washington DC, washington glass school, Washington Glass Studio, 玻璃艺术 | Tagged ,

New DC Public Art Design!

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Concept 1 design by Michael Janis for DC’s OP & CAH TAP project in Ward 5

WGS Co-Director Michael Janis’ public art design (concept 1 & 2) for DC’s memorial to the Enslaved People that built the US Capitol has many steps before the Mayor’s approval. One can see -and vote! – on the two concepts online :https://engage.dc.gov/JD4865#tab-50371

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH), in collaboration with the DC Office of Planning (OP), awarded Janis the commission create the significant project that aims to shed light on the often overlooked role of over 200 enslaved people whose labor laid the foundation for one of the most iconic symbols of democracy.

public art sculpture from fused glass made at Washington Glass Studio in Washington DC by Michael Janis
TAP DC OP CAH Commemorate DC
Photo of first community input event in Ward 5 site, April 20, 2024

Posted in commemorate dc, DC Arts, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, glass public art, office of planning, OP, Public Art | Tagged , , ,

New CAH Exhibition: Fragile Beauty (May 9, 2022 – July 1, 2022)

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With social injustice a common theme around the world, we are also currently witnessing the injustices committed against our natural environment. Like our ancestors, we sense nature’s vastness, yet we lack the same respect those indigenous peoples had for nature as a sentient being. We take the Earth’s vastness for granted. What we experience as nature pushing back is nature seeking balance.

Michael Janis: Transformation; cast glass, ceramic

With this exhibit, Fragile Beauty, 33 DC artists seek to bring a sense of balance to an array of environmental injustices. Their art and their vision advocate awareness, mindfulness, consciousness, and stewardship, offering pathways towards personal partnership with our planet. They tell their stories with painting, sculpture, prints, photography, and installations. They inform us of both the joyful and the sorrowful, the woeful and the hopeful. Their work will challenge, enlighten, and inform your sense of wonder for exploring the beauty, power, and magnificent mystery of our home planet. We thank these artists for their commitment to illuminating the importance of nurturing and protecting the fragile beauty of the place we all call home.

Fragile Beauty is the first juried art exhibition initiated by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. The new Juried Exhibition Grant provides support for DC artists to exhibit their creative vision to the residents of Washington, DC.

-Jarvis Grant


Featured artists: Tammy Barnes, Jeffrey Berg, Monica Jahan Bose, Elizabeth Casqueiro, Gloria Chapa, Michèle Colburn, Chris Combs, Shaughn Cooper with Kelsye Adams, Frank Hallam Day, Anna U Davis, R.A. Dean, Julee Dickerson-Thompson, Cheryl D. Edwards, David Allen Harris, Michael Iacovone, Michael Janis, Noel Kassewitz, Sally Kauffman, Barry D. Lindley, Patrick McDonough, Regina Miele, Steven Muñoz, Werllayne Nunes, Chelsea Ritter-Soronen, Lisa K. Rosenstein, Carly Rounds, Amanda Sauer, Alexandra Silverthorne, Ira Tattelman, Roderick Turner, Jessica van Brakle, Dawn Whitmore, Bahar Yürükoğlu.

Fragile Beauty
May 9 – July 1, 2022
Monday – Friday, 9:00 am – 6:00 pm ET

Opening Reception
Thu, May 12, 2022
5:00 PM – 7:00 PM EDT
Masks are required

Location:
DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Gallery
200 I Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003
Gallery Hours:
Monday – Friday
9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Posted in cast glass, ceramics/glass, DC, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DCCAH, environmental art, twenty first century sculpture, united states, فن الزجاج الجديد, 玻璃艺术新 | Tagged , ,

DC Commission Announces New grant/exhibition Opportunity

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Environmental Justice Juried Exhibition Grant now open!

DC’s Commision on the Arts + Humanities invites District-based artists to apply for their new Juried Exhibition Grant! (Note: Must be a resident of Washington, DC)

Application deadline: Friday, January 21, 4:00 pm

Exhibition dates: May 9 – July 1, 2022

Exhibition theme: Environmental Justice. In their work, artists may address local and/or global questions of ecology, environmentalism, biodiversity, climate change, stewardship, the relationship of climate justice to social justice, and/or other related concepts and issues.

Click HERE to jump to CAH website for more info.

Posted in CAH, call for artists, call for entries, DC, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

CAH SYNERGY: FY20 Exhibit – Closing Reception

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200 I Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003

200 I Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003

SYNERGY features visual arts applicants for the FY20 Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program (AHFP) general support grant. On display are pieces submitted by the artists that represent their individual style and body of work. This exhibition allows grant review panelists an opportunity to evaluate the applicants’ works in a gallery setting, while at the same time showcasing the broad scope of the District’s dynamic art scene to the public.

Free and open to the public. Reservations are not required.

GALLERY HOURS
Monday – Friday
9 am – 6 pm

CLOSING RECEPTION
Friday, July 19, 2019, 6 – 8 pm
I Street Galleries
200 I Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003

The Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program (AHFP) provides general funding support of up to $10,000 to individuals who demonstrate exceptional creativity. These grant funds are intended to encourage the creative contributions of the District’s established and emerging individual artists and humanities practitioners and further cultivate the District’s dynamic cultural sector. The works in this exhibit will be evaluated by a DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) review panel.

About CAH
Established in 1968, CAH supports programs that promote progress in the arts and humanities through grants, professional opportunities, and other services to individuals and nonprofit organizations in all communities within the District of Columbia. CAH is the designated state arts agency for the District of Columbia, and is supported primarily by District government funds and in part by the National Endowment for the Arts.

Posted in DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, DCCAH, fellowship, synergy

DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities seeks artwork for Art Bank

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FY20 Art Bank Program (ABP) –In support of local visual artists, District art galleries, and District art nonprofit organizations, CAH acquires fine art from metropolitan artists to grow the Art Bank Collection. Artwork in the collection is owned by CAH and loaned to District Government agencies for display in public areas and offices of government buildings. The Art Bank Collection, which started in 1986, has over 3,400 artworks.

CAH seeks grant applications from qualified artists and District art galleries or District nonprofit organizations representing metropolitan artists for the acquisition of works of original two- and three-dimensional artwork including, but not limited to:

  • Paintings;
  • Drawings;
  • Mixed media works;
  • Prints;
  • Photographs;
  • Fabric arts;
  • Ceramics; and,
  • Sculptures.

For the purpose of this grant, metropolitan artist is defined as a legal resident of Washington, DC, or a legal resident within a 50-mile radius of the Washington, DC boundaries, for at least one (1) year prior to the application deadline.

Application Release: Friday | May 3, 2019
Application Deadline: Friday | July 19, 2019 | 4:00 pm ET

Click HERE for info on how to submit for DCCAH Art Bank.

DCCAH Staff Contact: Ron Humbertson, Art Collections Registrar | ron.humbertson@dc.gov

Posted in art bank, DC, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

DC Commission on The Arts & Humanities Exhibit “Synergy”

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DCCAH AFP18

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities presents a visual arts exhibition featuring some of the District’s finest visual artists. Works by WGS artists Michael Janis and Tim Tate are featured in the exhibit.

SYNERGY

Opening Night – Friday, July 7, 2017 

This exhibition, curated by the DCCAH, features artists applying for the FY 2018 Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program (AHFP). “Synergy” captures the broad scope of the District’s dynamic art scene and provides an opportunity for the artists to express their visions directly to the panel of peer reviewers evaluating their applications and to the public.

Opening Night Details
Friday, July 7, 2017, 6 – 8 pm
I Street Galleries
200 I Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003
RSVP here

GALLERY HOURS
Monday – Friday
9 am – 6 pm
Exhibition Closes Friday, August 11 at 6 pm 

Posted in DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

WGS’ Michael Janis Wins DC Mayor’s Arts Award!

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The Mayor's Arts Awards are presented in a similar manner to Hollywood's Academy Awards.

DC Mayor’s Arts Awards are presented in a similar manner to Hollywood’s Academy Awards.

The Mayor’s Arts Awards are the most prestigious honors conferred by the city of Washington, D.C. on artists, teachers, nonprofit organizations and patrons of the arts and humanities. D.C.’s 31st Annual Awards ceremony was held at the Historic Lincoln Theater this past Thursday, and Washington Glass School Co-Director Michael Janis was awarded the “Excellence in the Arts” honor!

jp.mike.janis.dccah.202creates.mayors_arts_award.glass.#MayorsArtsAwardsDC

Michael Janis onstage at the Historic Lincoln Theatre

The DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities works hard at supporting and advancing the arts, humanities and creative industries and presented the awards as recognition of how the creative community impacts the District.

Michael Janis interviewed at the Lincoln Theatre.

Michael Janis interviewed at the Lincoln Theatre.

The Awards Gala – modeled after Hollywood’s Academy Awards – had it all – the red carpet (but in green), media and press interviews, glamor, gowns, glitter.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser welcomes the audience to the 31st Mayors Arts Awards.

DC Mayor Muriel Bowser welcomes the audience to the 31st Mayors Arts Awards.

Mayor Muriel Bowser welcomed the audience to the award ceremony and some incredible performances were throughout the evening’s ceremony. In addition to Michael Janis winning the Excellence in the Arts, the winners included Once Common Unity for Excellence in Creative Industries, Leron Boyd for Outstanding Student, Dawn Johnson for Excellence in Teaching and Tara Campbell for Outstanding New Artist. The DCCAH also presented three honors – Lou Stovall, for Lifetime Achievement, Julianne Brienza for Visionary Leadership and   E. Ethelbert Miller for Distinguished Honor.

Washington Performing Arts, Children of the Gospel Choir performed.

Washington Performing Arts, Children of the Gospel Choir performed.

Congratulations on the Award Michael! What will you be doing next?mike_janis.michael.sandra_arkin.dccah.mayors.arts.award

Michael Janis with Kay Kendall, Chair of the Board of Commissioners DCCAH

Michael Janis with Kay Kendall, Chair of the Board of Commissioners DCCAH

Posted in #202Creates, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, mayor's arts award, michael janis | Tagged