Painting With Friends:

Chris Shorter, County Executive by Nida Nawaz

Getting to know local community leaders is the pinnacle of a robust and thriving community. Especially one like PWC, where we wear the badge of ‘Most Diverse County in Virginia’, with pride. On this episode of Painting with Friends, Vaze interviewed our esteemed County Executive, Christopher Shorter. The elected members of the Board of County Supervisors appoint this role in Prince William County Government.

Shorter originated from Detroit, Michigan, with an ambition to change the social sphere from age 14. He received his bachelor’s degree in Economics and a master’s degree in Public Administration. Our County CXO then took on the daunting role of Sr. Management Analyst for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey as his first step into public service.

Diving into the interview, Vaze and Shorter discuss perspectives on art. While Shorter is not an artist himself, he keenly appreciates Harry Belafonte for the wisdom, history, and knowledge he imparted, as well as Talib Kweli for his down-to-earth attitude and plethora of experiences he shares. His favorite art forms include plays, poetry, and the spoken word.

With his years of experience, Shorter has also implemented the arts into public service. Murals are a great way to distinguish public places. As the Director of the Public Works Department of Washington D.C., Shorter partnered with Mural D.C. for their 10th anniversary to give local artists a responsible and legal avenue to display their artistic skill in a manner that legitimizes graffiti as an art form, incentivizes community awareness, and provides regard for communal and personal property.

In Prince William County, Shorter has enjoyed the Anniversary Gala for the Hylton Performing Arts Center and a retirement party that was also held there. The Gala’s seating looked out into the audience and grand architecture of the building for a more appreciative experience. Since his arrival, he has been focused on getting to know the sphere of our local government but plans to explore the beauty Prince William County has to offer. Our meeting location at the Open Space Arts Gallery at Stonebridge at Potomac Town Center in Woodbridge, VA, impressed him.

Vaze and Shorter further discussed arts in Prince William County - where there are exuberantly talented artists of all genres. However, the avenues in PWC are limited. It was revealed that the area needs to grow affordable housing, transportation, and a place where artists can legitimately establish themselves and produce their art professionally. One way that could help is to create an arts institution.

Shorter boasted about the comprehensive plans that would help artists in Prince William County thrive - such as - creating a community where folks do not come here to simply sleep, but also to live, with entertainment and a thriving, vibrant society. Artists should be able to live here perpetually by being able to afford their housing and developing their art. For

Shorter, Austin, TX, comes to mind as a place where artists can affordably live and develop their skills.

Closing the interview, Vaze and Shorter discussed the legacy of Prince William County. Shorter highlights the need for the County to absorb this explosive growth we are experiencing. Furthermore, CXO Shorter believes that the constituents of Prince William County not only want to participate in civic duty but also want to be an active participants in the local government - which will bring the legacy of Prince William County as the best government to fruition.

Link to the interview: https://youtu.be/bOic1MD9GkU