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

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

CAH SYNERGY: FY20 Exhibit – Closing Reception

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.

Michael Janis Selected as Finalist in 31st DC Mayor’s Arts Awards

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The DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities (DCCAH) has selected our Michael Janis as a finalist in the “Excellence in the Arts” category for the 31st Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards. The Mayors Arts Awards are the most prestigious honors conferred by the city on individual artists, teachers, nonprofit organizations, and patrons of the arts.

This year, the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities will present the 31st Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards Thursday, September 22, 2016, 7 pm at the Historic Lincoln Theatre.

Artists and Organizations will be recognized in six categories:

Excellence in the Arts

Excellence in the Humanities

Excellence in Creative Industries

Outstanding Student Award

Excellence in Arts Teaching

Outstanding New Artist

Special Awards will be given to individuals and organizations, recognizing their outstanding support to DC arts, humanities and creative industries.

Everyone is invited to come to the ceremony- 

Mayor Muriel Bowser presents

The 31st Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards

Thursday, September 22, 2016 at 7 pm

Historic Lincoln Theatre

1215 U Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009

Red Carpet Pre-Show 6 pm

Reception 8:30 pm

DCCAH FY 2017 Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program (AHFP) Exhibit Opens

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities visual arts exhibition at the DCCAH Main Gallery.

Opening night at the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities AHFP visual arts exhibition at the DCCAH Main Gallery.

The Washington, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities opened its exhibit of visual artists applying for the FY 2017 Arts and Humanities Fellowship Program (AHFP) on Friday, July 29, 2016. Each artist had submitted a piece that represents their body of work and artistic perspective. The new Deputy Director – Michael Bigley – commented on the broad scope of the District’s dynamic art scene.

DCCAH Curator Zoma Wallace and DCCAH Deputy Director Michael Bigley.

DCCAH Curator Zoma Wallace and DCCAH Deputy Director Michael Bigley.

Some familiar faces from the DC visual arts scene were to be found on opening night.

Some familiar faces from the DC visual arts scene were to be found on opening night.

DC Commission on Arts and Humanities

Main Gallery
200 I (Eye) Street, SE
Washington, DC 20003

Exhibition closes August 31
Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9:00 am – 5:00 pm

DC Commission on the Arts + Humanities Exhibit

afp.exhibitor.2016AFP16 Visual Arts Exhibition

featuring applicants of DCCAH 2016 Artist Fellowship Program 

This exhibition presents some of the District’s finest visual artists applying for the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities’ FY16 Artist Fellowship Program (AFP) grant. Each artist has submitted a piece that represents their body of work and artistic perspective.

The gathering of these artworks in the District’s first operated public gallery captures the broad scope of the dynamic art scene and provides an opportunity for artists to express their visions directly to the panel of peer reviewers evaluating their applications and to the public.

Opening Night Details

Friday, August 14, 2015

6 – 8 pm

I Street Galleries

200 I Street, SE, Washington, DC 20003

 

GALLERY HOURS

Monday – Friday

9 am – 5 pm

Exhibition Closes Monday, September 30 at 5 pm

 

RSVP online HERE!

DC is the District of Creativity

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The arts and culture are the hallmark of any great city. The Washington, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) has granted over $7.4 million in FY 2014 to local organizations and individuals as well as provided numerous professional opportunities, educational enrichment, and other services to those serving the creative sector. The DCCAH aids the grantees in their efforts to elevate their work and, thus, the District of Columbia.

District of Creativity: A Year in the Arts and Humanities is a celebration for and by local artists and organizations. Performances and remarks will review and highlight the accomplishments of those arts and humanities organizations and individuals funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities in FY 2014.

Presentations and Performances By:
• Step Afrika
• Michael Janis
• Shawn Short for Dissonance Dance Theatre/Ngoma Center for Dance
Dance Place
Life Pieces To Masterpieces, Inc.
Young Playwrights’ Theater
The Dance Institute of Washington
Capital Fringe
• Washington Youth Choir

and others!

Following the production, the DCCAH will be hosting a Networking Social at Lost Society for DCCAH grantees and local funder, philanthropies, and DC VIPs.

District of Creativity: The Arts and Humanities in 2014 

Kindly RSVP here.

Lincoln_Theatre_and_Bens_Chili_BowlEvent Details

Date: Monday, June 8, 2015

Time: 7 pm – 8 pm

Location: The Historic Lincoln Theatre

1215 U Street, NW

Washington, DC 20009

#DistrictofCreativity

Spoilt For Choice: Which Gallery Opening Tonite?

Looking for a big hit of Art tonight? Where you are can determine what you should see. August 1, 2014 has many great options!

AFP15.dccah.1

In Washington DC? The DC Commission on the Arts + Humanities opens its exhibit of artwork by DC artists that are up for a Fellowship Grant. AFP 15 in the Gallery at 200 I Street. The collection of these artworks captures the broad scope of DC’s dynamic art scene and provides an opportunity for artists to express their visions to the public. The Washington Glass School is represented with works by Sean Hennessey, Michael Janis and Tim Tate. The exhibit runs through September 1, 2014. The Gallery at 200 i Street; Opening Reception Aug 1, 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

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In the Norfolk, VA area? Virginia’s Portsmouth Art & Cultural Center (near Norfolk’s Chrysler Museum) joins with the TCC Visual Art Center to host a series of glass exhibits and programming that celebrate the studio glass movement. PACC, 400 High Street, Portsmouth, VA ; Opening Reception  Aug 1, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

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audrey.wilson.bender_gallery.NC

In Asheville, NC? Asheville’s Bender Gallery is hosting Artifacts and Contraptions, a two person exhibition featuring glass and mixed media sculptures by artists Peter Wright and Audrey Wilson. Opening Reception Aug 1, 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm in conjunction with downtown Asheville’s First Friday Art Walk.

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Out West? Check out Habatat Galleries space at ArtAspen in Colorado! This is the fifth edition of ArtAspen, thru Aug. 3 at the Aspen Ice Garden and the fair is expanding its reach into other cultural disciplines, in efforts to attract first time art buyers and to surpass last year’s record art sales and attendance. On Friday Night, 5-7pm, ArtAspen celebrates the Golden Anniversary of the Aspen Ice Garden. Fair organizers will provide open wine bar and celebratory birthday cake for all attendees.

There is a quick roundup of tonight’s events – get your LBD on (or jeans…. whatever) and get going!

 

DCCAH AFP 15 Visual Arts Exhibit

AFP15.dccah.1

The DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities (DCCAH) supports District-based artists with grants thru the Artist Fellowship Program (AFP). The AFP offers awards to individual artists who make a significant contribution to the arts and substantively impact the lives of District of Columbia residents through their artistic excellence. For fiscal year 2015 the visual artists competing have submitted a piece that represents their body of work and artistic perspective. 

AFP15.dccah.2

The DCCAH presents AFP15 in the Gallery at 200 I Street. The collection of these artworks captures the broad scope of DC’s dynamic art scene and provides an opportunity for artists to express their visions to the public. The Washington Glass School is represented with works by Sean Hennessey, Michael Janis and Tim Tate. The exhibit runs through September 1, 2014.

AFP15.dccah.3

DC Mayor Gray to Dedicate WGS Public Art Sculpture

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities invites all to a Public Art Dedication of : The Community Gateway Arch

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   On Friday, July 18, 2014 come to the Unity Health Care’s Parkside Health Center, 7:00 – 9:00 PM at 765 Kenilworth Terrace, NE Washington, DC 20019

For more information contactThe DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities:

202-724-5613 or tonya.jordan@dc.gov

Light refreshments will be served

The Process: Public Art and Placemaking

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DC Ward 7 Green Community Arch sculpture located at the new Unity Healthcare Building.

One of the Washington Glass Studio’s most ambitious public art projects has just completed installation. The DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities commissioned the sculpture for the new Unity Healthcare facility in Washington, DC, and the glass-and-steel artwork was installed without a problem this week.

Michael Janis bolts the panels to the top of the public art sculpture before the work is hoisted into place.

Michael Janis bolts the panels to the top of the public art sculpture before the work is hoisted into place.

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Concept design for the Green Community Gateway Arch

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The public artwork concept was designed and engineered to a high level.

The design of the public artwork was intended to mark the symbolic entrance to the Kenilworth / Parkside section of DC’s Ward 7. This area (near Caeser Chavez charter school, the Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens and the Anacostia Freeway) was recently identified as a DC Promise neighborhood – and its experiencing a renewed investment in neighborhood revitalization. After meeting with community representatives, the WGS team focused on themes that were strongly held. A “Community Gateway Arch” became the vision for the placemaking sculpture that would help identify the new environment. The glass panel insets in the 16′ tall sculpture would be made with the help of the neighborhood residents, students of the high school, and the staff of the new Unity Healthcare facility. The Washington Glass Studio worked with the DC Creates! Public Art Program selection committee, the DCCAH Council, Unity Parkside Health Care, the Ward 7 ANC and the community and held a series of glass “quilting-bees” and made a communal environment where community and art were not separate. 

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Artist Erwin Timmers oversaw the structural integration of support framework, LED lighting and glass panel insets.

The 16′ high x 14′ wide sculpture lit internally with LED lighting was one of the largest outdoor artworks installed to date for the Washington Glass Studio, and much went into the design, engineering and the fabrication of the steel framework. 

DCCAH invitation to Ward 7 to make glass at WGS

DCCAH invitation to Ward 7 to make glass at WGS

In early 2014, with the structural foundation for the artwork finished and the steel framework underway, the call went out to the community to come make glass. By directly involving the public in the creation of the new landmark, the space would resonate because the artwork would have meaning to all – as everyone had the chance to tell their story.  The glass workshops were packed. Many of the people that came to work in glass returned to each of the scheduled dates – they loved working in glass and wanted to see how the artwork changed once fired. 

DC ANC Commissioner Willie H. Woods, Jr and DCCAH Exec Director Lionell Thomas were among the community enlisted to interact with the glass artwork.

DC ANC Ward 7 Commissioner Willie H. Woods, Jr and DCCAH Exec Director Lionell Thomas were among the community enlisted to interact with the glass artwork.

By having many area residents making the glass art insets, the sculpture has an increased sense of local identity. The artwork arch stimulates curiosity, inspired some of the budding artists to consider new artistic avenues and on occasion, create a smile.

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Many voices told many stories in the inset panels that made up the glass quilt archway.

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Opposite view of Washington, DC’s Green Community Arch.

The formal opening ceremony of the Anacostia Arch with DC Mayor Gray is now being scheduled. We will update on the school’s FB page and on the blog!

Project Details

  • Location: Corner Hayes Street & Kenilworth Terrace, NE; Washington, DC 20019
  • Washington Glass Studio Public Art Team: Michael Janis, Tim Tate, Erwin Timmers, Audrey Wilson, Derek Thomas, Miles Lark, Cris Chaney and Robyn Townsend
  • Structural Engineers: Holbert Apple Associates, Inc and Wolfman and Associates
  • Structural Steel: Iron Kingdom
  • Number of Glass Tile Insets: Over 300
  • Weight of Sculpture: 2000 lbs