April ART(202) Journal: The Mayor's Arts Awards by DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

APRIL|2010

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25TH ANNUAL MAYOR’S ARTS AWARDS

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51 FACES OF DC

DIALED IN ART SALON SOUND BITE

1371 Harvard St. N.W. Washington D.C. 20009 (202) 724-5613 (202) 724-4493 TTY/TDD

www.dcarts.dc.gov

content IMPRINT 25th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards

COVER ART |ROD LITTLE

EDITOR

Mayor’s Arts Awards Winners 2010

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SHYREE MEZICK

DESIGNER ROD LITTLE

CONTRIBUTORS R. DWAYNE BETTS REBECCA LANDWEHR E. KIMBELL HALL ELIZABETH PISANO

SPOTlight Meet the winners of the 25th Annual Mayor’s . Arts Awards

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•2010 Grantees •Upcoming Deadlines

art 101 •Focus on CityDance: Dream Big •Mayor’s Award for Arts Teaching

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•April 17: Porter Colloquium •April 26: Artist 2 Artist Talk

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Census 2010: 51 Faces of DC

artisttoolbox Resources

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ithin this considerably concentrated urban center, DC artists are constantly starting anew; approaching every new project as a fresh start and an opportunity to explore their personal definition of accomplishment. This continuous self-actualization calls into question the ultimate goals of the individual artist. Given the diversity and abundance of art in DC, what defines artistic success within this contemporary art scene? There are few, if any, spaces in which DC artists are recognized on a District-wide scale. As Michael O’Sullivan of The Washington Post asserts, “there’s art everywhere and hardly anybody sees it sometimes.” One such event brings light to the arts in DC— the Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards, recognizing local artists, arts teachers, and arts advocates for their contributions to the city’s cultural landscape. Every year, the DC arts community is called upon to nominate individuals and organizations for the Mayor’s Arts Awards. Through these awards, our community expands and evolves, connecting local artists with the general public. On March 22, 2010, Mayor Adrian Fenty honored nine local individuals and groups in various categories such as Outstanding Emerging Artist, Excellence in Service to the Arts, and Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education, among six others. At the 25th Annual Mayor’s Arts Awards, the Mayor recognized the achievements of DC’s artistic community, thus emphasizing the vital role of the arts in DC. With diversity being a hallmark of DC art, uniformity is hard to recognize amongst the different artists and disciplines. In absence of a common thread baseline to measure their artwork, District artists’ competition has evolved into an internal process based on the relentless desire to exceed preset goals and expectations. While achievements are awarded on a community-wide stage, true success is known only to those who define and attain the elusive personal excellence. PHOTO ILLUSTRATION|ROD LITTLE

L E E R DC COMMISSION ON THE ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Featuring: Felix Angel Armando Lopez Bircann Margery E. Goldberg Victoria Joy Murray Bill Harris Michael Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;Sullivan Luciana Stecconi Rebecca Stump Peter Wadell Mark A. Williams CityDance Ensemble, Inc. Theater Lab School of the Dramatic Arts

VIDEO|CHRIS KEENER

SPOTlight

PHOTO|DEBBIE CORRIE/IDB CULTURAL CENTER

THE VISIONARY:

FÉLIX ÁNGEL

INTER-AMERICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK, CULTURAL CENTER 2010 Mayor’s Arts Award for Visionary Leadership in the Arts Félix Ángel could be considered a “Renaissance man,” but that would not do him justice. A Colombian native, Ángel studied architecture and was already making waves in the art world before settling in DC in 1977. An accomplished painter, architect and novelist, Ángel’s style has been called “in your face,” and unsettling—his ideas are always on the move. Some might call him a serious man, not in the sense that he takes himself too seriously, but that he takes what he does seriously. He is serious about art, culture and history and most importantly, how those things interact. In his 40-year tenure, Félix Ángel has participated in more than 500 exhibitions, fairs, and competitions around the globe. He has received numerous distinctions and appointments, including the DC Poet Laureate Award for Outstanding Contributions to Poetry in 2005. Angel also served as a DCCAH Commissioner from 2002-2007. In 1990, he was called upon by the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to implement its Cultural Center as curator and later serving as Director starting in 2000. Under his direction, the Cultural Center has collaborated with more than 50 DC-based arts and cultural organizations. This addition makes IDB the only multilateral financial institution with an official cultural program, reiterating IDB’s vision of culture as an important stakeholder in financial development – at the center, not the peripheral, of IDB’s investments. www.felixangel.com

Spotlight video on Félix Ángel.

PHOTO|CHRIS KEENER

THE ADVOCATE:

MICHAEL O’SULLIVAN THE WASHINGTON POST

2010 Mayor’s Special Recognition Award Michael O’Sullivan considers himself a vessel through whom DC can experience one of its most seen yet unseen demographics—artists. Having written for The Washington Post for over 17 years, O’Sullivan is one of the most influential advocates for DC’s arts community. Of this community, he reiterates, “...they’re the most creative, alive, vital people in the city; and not everybody knows that. People tend to think of Washington as a political town and not necessarily a cultural town, and I’m trying to change that” O’Sullivan’s passion for the local arts and local artists was first manifested in his Arts Beat column in 1993. He has since moved to the Weekend section, highlighting local visual arts, theatre and film through his over 1500 articles on the local arts scene. Through his writing, he gives rise to the arts; enlivening that which is seemingly dormant and reminding our community of the breadth of our rich and diverse cultural landscape. Every artist knows that a nod from O’Sullivan can make or break a show, and extend validity and credibility to DC artists. He is both art critic and art journalist and appreciates that the Washington Post, with a readership of 1.5 million, is first a daily newspaper—seeing every day as a new opportunity to bring new insight and relevance to the arts community of DC. View articles by Michael O’Sullivan on The Washington Post’s website.

Spotlight video on Michael O‘Sullivan.

PHOTO|JANET DANDRIDGE

AT THE INTERSECTION OF ART AND HISTORY:

PETER WADDELL 2010 Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in an Artistic Discipline

How does one engage with the past in the modern world? Through historical records on dusty shelves, or maybe an old photograph faded with time? Visual artist Peter Waddell, a DC transplant for the past 15 years, offers both residents and visitors a unique way to connect to the city’s multifaceted past.

In his efforts to incorporate historical documents,

photographs and diagrams into his work, Waddell seeks to craft a story about DC’s beginnings. Although born and raised in New Zealand, Waddell maintains that the United States has always called to him, perhaps one reason why American history and culture play such a prominent role in his work. Waddell never allowed the remoteness of New Zealand to hinder his imagination; and after visiting the United States several times, he immigrated to DC. With exquisite detail, Waddell depicts DC’s many public and private buildings at various intervals throughout history. A stickler for historical accuracy, Waddell bases his paintings on written descriptions, early prints, photographs, and architectural plans. His reliance on these sources of the past ensures his ability to accurately capture the constantly shifting cultural identity and history of our city. Through the work of Peter Waddell, we are able to visit a different time in DC’s history. His paintings instruct, inspire, and entertain audiences from around the world, inviting them to experience the beginnings and evolutions of DC’s own unique cultural blend. www.peterwaddell.com

Spotlight video on Peter Waddell.

THE CROSS SECTION:

THE THEATRE LAB SCHOOL OF THE DRAMATIC ARTS 2010 Mayor’s Arts Award for Innovation in the Arts The Theatre Lab School of Dramatic Arts is a meeting ground for many in DC. Through its theatrical opportunities, populations from across the city come together to create, design and engage in the performing arts. Founded in 1992, Theatre Lab’s philosophy has consistently been that beginners and professionals alike can benefit from its rigorous standards in an atmosphere of encouragement. Theatre Lab is continually expanding their reach; engaging in partnerships with local organizations such as N Street Village, New Beginnings, GALA Hispanic Theatre, Friendship Terrace, and Food and Friends. Their nationally recognized Life Stories Initiative enables participants to create original works of dramatic art using their real life experiences. This program reaches approximately 275 incarcerated youth, homeless women, individuals living with HIV/ AIDS, and seniors in assisted living facilities each year. Theatre Lab is DC’s most comprehensive theatre training center, educating more than 1200 youth and adults each year. At no other venue in DC can such a breadth of individuals come together. Theatre Lab offers a core curriculum of more than 50 classes in acting, directing, musical theatre, and dramatic criticism, all taught by a distinguished actors and directors. It is through this engagement with professional leadership that individuals reach personal and artistic growth, a hallmark of Theatre Lab since its inception. www.theatrelab.org

Spotlight video on the Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts.

Past Awards from DCCAH: Arts Education Projects: 2004, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 City Arts Projects: 2004, 2005 Cultural Facilities Program: 2005, 2007 Elders Learning Through the Arts: 2006, 2010 Grants in Aid: 2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2010 Knowledge in Technology Program: 2001 Small Projects Program: 2009 UPSTART: 2010

THE ADVOCATE

MARGERY E. GOLDBERG 2010 Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in an Service to the Arts

Margery E. Goldberg has many reputations in DC: some know her best as a gallery owner, while others might know her as an artist. No matter the title, Goldberg has worked as a pioneer and activist for DC’s arts community for over 30 years. Through the vehicles of Zenith Gallery and Zenith Square, both founded in 1978, Ms. Goldberg has promoted and championed art for area residents while nurturing the careers of hundreds of artists. Of her many achievements, Ms. Goldberg co-founded the Arts and Entertainment News Service, which taped and documented over 30 arts, music and cultural events in the Washington area and served as a DCCAH Commissioner from 1992-1997. In 2000, she expanded Zenith Gallery’s reach by forming Zenith Community Arts Foundation (ZCAF). Through ZCAF’s programs like Food Glorious Food, The Freedom Place Collection, and eARThly concerns, Ms. Goldberg continues her own mission to foster alliances between artists, businesses and other non-profits to benefit our community and to touch diverse residents through arts programming. Although Zenith Gallery closed its doors in 2009, Ms. Goldberg continues to embrace and promote art as social change. Her years of tireless service to the District’s arts community have made her a standing influence in DC’s unique cultural community. www.zenithgallery.com

Spotlight video on Margery E. Goldberg.

PHOTO|SUZANNE ALESSI

BETWEEN IMAGINATION AND THE STAGE

LUCIANA STECCONI 2010 Mayor’s Arts Award for Outstanding Emerging Artist Few can enter onto the theatre scene in a new city with both the innovation and motivation that Luciana Stecconi brings to the stage. The Argentinean-born set designer moved to Washington, DC in 2006 and since that time, has conceived and carried out the stage design for twelve productions in Washington, DC and has held assistant position for five productions. Stecconi currently serves as the Studio Theatre’s stage designer and scene painter, playing an integral role in the artistic development of each production. In DC alone, her work has also been a part of productions at Theatre J, Theatre Alliance and MetroStage. With a sharp intellect, quiet competence, and boundless creativity, Stecconi has come into her own with distinctive yet variable styles. The DC Agenda has called Ms. Stecconi’s designs “elegant;” The Washington Post theatre critic Peter Marx has commended her unique visual impression. An extremely skilled visual artist, Ms. Stecconi is also more than proficient in model making, costume design and rendering; making her a valuable and versatile member of the Studio Theatre team. Her innovative sensibility and diverse capabilities have resulted in some of the most impressive and memorable designs to appear at the Studio Theatre and elsewhere in DC. www.lucianastecconi.com

Spotlight video on Luciana Stecconi.

2010grantees

DCCAH will award 515 grants totaling $7.25 million to fund arts projects across the District of Columbia. DCCAH is proud to continue offering support to the District’s unique artists and arts organizations. Congratulations to these individuals and organizations who received funding so far in 2010: ARTIST FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM •Abdul Ali Addurrahman •Amy Saidman •Anupama Yadav •Assane Konte •Brian Wilbur Grundstrom •Frederic Yonnet •Gabriel Feldman •Henry Ofori-Atta •Issachah James Savage •Juan H. Gaddis •Karen L.B. Evans •Karen Zacarias •Kyle Dargan •Laura Zam •Lawrence B. Redmond •Marc Anthony Nelson •Mary Hall Surface •Maurice Michael Saylor •Randall Packer •Ryan Richmond •Sandra Beasley •Sara Ilyse Jacobson •Suzanne Zweizig •Vijay Palaparty

ARTS EDUCATION PROJECTS INDIVIDUALS •Asssane Konte •Joel Bergner •Marc S. Spiegel •Mary Beth Bowen ARTS EDUCATION PROJECTS ORGANIZATIONS •Capital Fringe, Inc. •Capitol Hill Arts Workshop •Capitol Letters Writing Center •CapoeiraDC •Center for Inspired Teaching •CentroNia •City Arts, Inc. •City at Peace, Inc. •CityDance Ensemble •Critical Exposure •DC Scores •Dumbarton Concerts, Inc. •Festivals DC, Ltd. •Folger Shakespeare Library •Grupo de Artistas Latino Americano •John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

•Joy of Motion Dance Center, Inc. •Latin American Youth Center Youth-

Build Public Charter School •National Building Museum •National Housing Trust Enterprise Preservation Corporation •PEN/Faulkner Foundation •Septima Clark Public Charter School •St. Coletta of Greater Washington, Inc. •Step Afrika! USA, Inc. •The Choral Arts Society •The Ellington Fund •The National Museum of Women in the Arts •The Parkmont School •The Patricia M. Sitar Center for the Arts •The Phillips Collection •The Selma M. Levine School of Music •The Shakespeare Theatre •The Studio Theatre •The Theatre Lab School of Dramatic Arts •The Washington Ballet •The Washington Middle School for Girls •The Washington National Opera •The Washington Theatre Awards Society •Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art •Turning the Page •Washington Bach Consort •Washington Drama Society, Inc. •Washington Performing Arts Society •William E. Doar, Jr. Public Charter School •WVSA School For Arts in Learning •Young Playwrights Theater, Inc. ARTS TEACHER FELLOWSHIPS •Christina Greta Schorn •Dawn Naser •Katie Coogan •Premila Mistry

ARTISTS IN SCHOOLS INDIVIDUALS •Jose Gonzalez •Marta Perez Garcia •Regie Cabico •Thembi Duncan

ARTISTS IN SCHOOLS ORGANIZATIONS •Center City Public Charter SchoolCongress Heights Campus •Dorothy I. Height Community Academy Public Charter School-Amos 1 Campus •Hyde Leadership Public Charter School •KippDC-LEAP Academy •School Within School at Peabody •Scott Montgomery Elementary School • SEED Public Charter School CITY ARTS PROJECTS INDIVIDUALS •Audrey L. Brown •Holly Bass •Holly Tank •Joy Jones •Kim Roberts •Rex Weil •Ruth Stenstrom •Sarah Browning •Sukumar Srinivasan CITY ARTS PROJECTS ORGANIZATIONS •Art Enables •Building Bridges Across the River •Capital City Symphony •CapoeiraDC •CentroNia •Cultural Development Corporation of the District of Columbia •Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Company •Dance Institute of Washington •DC Film Alliance •DC Wheel Productions, Inc. •Ford’s Theatre Society •Interfaith Conference of Metropolitan Washington •James Renwick Alliance •John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts •Mexican Cultural Institute •Moving Forward: Contemporary Asian American Dance Company •Opera Lafayette •Pin Points Theatre •Post-Classical Ensemble, Inc. •Sixth & I Historic Synagogue •Speakeasy DC

•Teaching for Change •The Choral Arts Society •The Shakespeare Theatre •The Textile Museum •The Washington National Opera •Transformer, Inc. •Vera Institute of Justice, Inc. •Washington Bach Consort •Washington Drama Society, Inc. •Washington Improvisational Theater Co. •Washington Parks & People •Washington Project for the Arts •Washington Sculptor’s Group EAST OF THE RIVER

•African Diaspora Ancestral Com-

memoration Institute •Arch Development Corporation •East of the River Boys and Girls Steelband •Life Pieces To Masterpieces, Inc •Northeast Performing Arts Group •Serenity Players, Inc. •Sewing Opportunities Never Ending Young Playwrights Theater, Inc. (S.O.N.E.) •Smithsonian Institution’s Anacostia Community Museum •The Washington Ballet •Ward 7 Arts Collaborative •Young Playwrights Theater, Inc. ELDERS LEARNING THROUGH THE ARTS PROGRAM •Abraham and Laura Lisner Home for Aged Women •Audrey L. Brown •IONA Senior Services •Sharna Fabiano •The Double Nickels Theatre Company, Inc. •The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts •The Washington Ballet •Washington Improvisational Theater Co. FESTIVALS DC

•Building Bridges Across the River •Capital Fringe, Inc. •Cultural Tourism DC •D.C. Blues Society •Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Company

•DC Film Alliance •El Teatro de Danza

Contemporanca de El Salvador

•Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital

•Festivals DC, Ltd. •FotoWeekDC •French-American

Cultural Foundation

•Grupo de Artistas Latino Americano

•John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts

•National Building Museum •National Cherry Blossom Festival Committee, Inc.

•One in Ten, Inc. •VSA Arts •Washington Project for the Arts •Washington, DC International Film Festival

FOLK & TRADITIONAL ARTS MINI-GRANT PROGRAM •Brendan Bell •Carlenia Springer •Interstages, Inc. •Lucy Ann Jickling •Sharna Fabiano

GRANTS IN AID •21st Century Consort •African Continuum Theatre Coalition •Art Enables •Atlas Performing Arts Center •Building Bridges Across the River •Capital City Symphony •Capital Fringe Inc. •Capitol Movement, Inc. •City Arts, Inc. •City at Peace, Inc •CityDance Ensemble •Critical Exposure •Cultural Development Corporation of the District of Columbia •D.C. Blues Society •Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh Dance Company •Dance Institute of Washington •DC Film Alliance •DC Wheel Productions, Inc. •Edgeworks •Environmental Film Festival in the Nation’s Capital •Federal City Performing Arts Association, Inc. •FotoWeekDC •Free Minds Book Club and Writing Workshop •Friends of Fillmore Arts Center •Hamiltonian Artists, Inc. •International Arts and Artists •International Capoeira Angola Foundation •Joy of Motion Dance Center, Inc. •KanKouran West African Dance Co. •Maru Montero Dance Company •Moving Forward:Contemporary Asian American Dance Company •Musica Aperta •Northeast Performing Arts Group

•One Common Unity, Inc. •Opera Camerata of Washington DC,

Inc. •Opera Lafayette •Pan American Symphony Orchestra •PEN/Faulkner Foundation •Post-Classical Ensemble, Inc. •Smith Farm Center for the Healing Arts •Solas Nua, Inc. •Southwest Renaissance Development Corporation •SpeakeasyDC •Step Afrika! USA, Inc. • Taffety Punk Theatre, Inc. •The Black Women Playwrights’ Group •The Congressional Chorus •The In Series, Inc. •The Inkwell •The National Men’s Chorus •The Patricia M. Sitar Center for the Arts •The Selma M. Levine School of Music •The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts •The Thomas Circle Singers •The Wagner Society of Washington, D.C. •The Washington Chorus •The Washington Theatre Awards Society •The Washington Women’s Chorus •Theater Alliance of Washington •Theatre Downtown, Inc, t/a The Washington Stage Guild •Transformer, Inc. •Vocal Arts Society •Washington Bach Consort •Washington Concert Opera •Washington District of Columbia Jewish Community Center, Inc •Washington Improvisational Theater Co. •Washington Project for the Arts •Washington, DC International Film Festival •Words Beats & Life •Youth Organizations United to Rise

HIP HOP COMMUNITY ARTS

•CityDance Ensemble •Dance Institute of Washington •David Nicholas Adams •DC Wheel Productions, Inc. •Diallo Sumbry •Facilitating Leadership in Youth, Inc. •Festivals DC, Ltd •Jerald Bryant •Latin American Youth Center, Inc. •Magee McIlvaine •Mentors of Minorities in Education •Pediatric Aids/HIV Care, Inc. •The Patricia M. Sitar Center for the Arts •The Studio Theatre •William E. Doar, Jr. Public Charter School •Words Beats & Life •Youth Organizations United to Rise

SMALL PROJECTS PROGRAM •Alexis E. Gillespie •Allison Lince-Bentley •Building Bridges Across the River •Carol Pineau •City Arts, Inc. •CityDance Ensemble •Consumer Action Network •DC Youth Orchestra Program •El Teatro del Danza Contemporanea de El Salavador •Eleanor Walton •In Da Streets, Inc. •Jamelle G. Thomas •Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington •Keisha Dene Mitchell •Khanh H. Le •Lorton Art Program, Inc. •New Horizons •Noah Getz •Ryan Richmond •Shawn Short •Sherri Lyn Sosslau •SpeakeasyDC •The Selma M. Levine School of Music •The Washington Ballet •Washington Bach Consort •Washington Project for the Arts •Women in Film & Video •VERGE Ensemble

•Eric Rubin •Graciela Requel Sedillo Lopez •Guarina Lopez-Davis •Hannah Naomi Kim •Jason Nickens •Jes Therkelsen •Jessica Solomon •John A. Johnson •Justin Young •Lindsay Routt •Maria Emelyn Villa Bryk •Mark Perkins •Mary Christina Coble •Matthew Jordan Hemerlein •Maureen Elizabeth Andary •Nicole Aguirre •Patrick Crowley •Paul Joseph Thornley •Peter Chang •Rachel Beamer •Ryan Patrick McDonnell •Sarah Koss •Sia Tiambi Barnes •Thomas Patrick Goss •Tommy Bobo

STIM10

•American Poetry Museum •Building Bridges Across the River •Capital City Symphony •City Arts, Inc. •CityDance Ensemble •Dakshina/Daniel Phoenix Singh

Company •DC Youth Orchestra Program •Joy of Motion Dance Center, Inc. •Life Pieces To Masterpieces, Inc. •Opera Lafayette •Prisons Foundation •The Choral Arts Society •The Double Nickels Theatre Company, Inc. •The Patricia M. Sitar Center for the Arts •Theater Alliance of Washington •Washington District of Columbia Jewish Community Center, Inc •Washington Men’s Camerata •Woolly Mammoth Theater Company UPSTART PROGRAM

•Environmental Film Festival in the

Nation’s Capital •FotoWeekDC •Jones-Haywood Dance School, Inc. •One in Ten, Inc. •The Theatre Lab School of the Dramatic Arts •Youth Organizations United to Rise YOUNG ARTIST PROGRAM

•Adam de Boer •Alexander Richard Clarke •Alexandra Silverthorne •Carmen Wong •Christylez Bacon •Danielle M. Evennou •Elizabeth Dawn DeRoche

CULTURAL FACILITIES PROGRAM

•Atlas Performing Arts Center •Dance Institute of Washington •DC Wheel Productions, Inc. •Folger Shakespeare Library •Grupo de Artistas Latino Americano •Hillwood Museum and Gardens

Foundation •Meridian International Center •National Trust for Historic Preservation •The National Museum of Women in the Arts •The Patricia M. Sitar Center for the Arts •The Shakespeare Theatre •The Studio Theatre •The Washington Ballet •Trustees of the Corcoran Gallery of Art •Washington District of Columbia Jewish Community Center, Inc PUBLIC ART BUILDING COMMUNITIES •Bill Warrell •Chinatown Community Cultural Center, Inc •City Arts, Inc. •Golden Triangle Business Improvement District •Kelly Towles •Latin American Youth Center, Inc. •Roderick Turner

PUBLIC ART COMMISSIONED PROJECTS •Takoma Metro Underpass – Sam Gilliam •NY Avenue BridgeDesign Team – Kent Bloomer •Girard Street Playground Mural – Words Beats and Life – Albus Cavus – Aniekan Udofia •Benning Library Project – Rik Freeman –Life Pieces To Master Pieces •Anacostia Library Project – Kamala Subramanian –Bill Howard •New Beginnings Youth Development Center Mural – Cheryl Foster –Joey Tomassoni •The New Saint Elizabeths Hospital Suspended Installations – Matthew Barinholtz – Walter Kravitz •The New Saint Elizabeths Hospital Murals – Sheila Crider – Roderick Turner – Bill Gibbons

PUBLIC ART BANK RECENT ACQUISITIONS Artists •Aliza Lelah •BJ Adams •Carol Brown Goldberg •Caroline Thorington •Catherine Kleeman •Cynthia Connolly •David Allen Harris •Denise Wright •Elaine Langerman •Ellen Hill •Frank Hallam Day •Frank Smith •Gloria Kirk •Gwen Lewis •James Brown Jr. •Jarvis Grant •Jason Horowitz •Jenny Walton •John Aquilino •John Grunwell •John James Anderson •Joseph Craig English •Judy Byron •Karen Hubacher •Kay Hwang •Lely Constantinople •Lisa Fanning •Lisa Marie Thalhammer •Margaret Boozer •Matt Dunn •Michael B. Platt •Michael Dax Iacovone •Peggy Fleming •Robert Sanabria •Sandra Parra •Sharon Moody

•Solomon Wondimu •Sondra Arkin •Stanley Squirewell •Steven Jackson •Susana Raab

Artomatic Purchases •Arlie Hammons •Ben Nicholson •Carlito Cabading •Claudia Minicozzi •Jamea Richmond Edwards •Jeremy Arn D. Ramirez •Jessica Van Brakle •John Sawyer •Kerry Cavanagh •Kimberley Bursic •Lori Larusso (Jordan Faye Contemporary) •Lynne Venhart •Marina Reiter •Mark Jude •Matthew R. Carucci •Michael Torra •Pat Goslee •Patricia McDonald Hartnett •Rachel Thern •Rob Chester •Sam Vasfi •Sean Hennessey •Stephen Beardsell •Susan Finsen •Susannah Parnin Artists Represented by Galleries •Colby Caldwell (Hemphill Gallery) •Franz Jantzen (Hemphill Gallery) •Godfrey Frankel (Hemphill Gallery) •James Huckenpahler (Hemphill Gallery) •Jamils Rahimi (ArtEnables) •Kate McGraw (Curator’s Office) •Kevin McDonald (Pyramid Atlantic) •Margie Smeller (ArtEnables) •Michael Farrell (Curator’s Office) •Nancy McIntyre (Jane Haslem Gallery) •Renee Stout (Hemphill Gallery) •Robin Wheeler (ArtEnables) •Workingman Collective (Hemphill Gallery)

WE’RE GETTING A NEW LOOK! LOOK FOR OUR NEW WEBSITE AND GRANTS APPLICATIONS SET TO LAUNCH IN EARLY JUNE

GRANT OPPORTUNITIES 2010 WPA PUBLIC ART RESIDENCY PROGRAM DEADLINE: APRIL 23, 2010 Washington Project for the Arts, DCCAH and Socrates Sculpture Park in Long Island City, NY are seeking applicants for a Public Art Residency Program to instruct and inform artists about the creation of public art. Artists will learn how to develop a proposal, identify sources for materials and projects, access a support network for technical assistance as well as learn about future opportunities. For more information, contact Rachel Dickerson.

DANCE DC FESTIVAL DEADLINE: APRIL 30, 2010, 7pm Gotta swing? Love to dance? DCCAH is hosting its seventh annual Dance DC Festival from August 2022, 2010. The Dance DC Festival 2010 will present a wide array of folk and traditional dance and music performance groups from Washington, D.C. to perform at venues throughout the city. For more information, contact Ebony Blanks.

COLUMBIA HEIGHTS PUBLIC ART OPPORTUNITY DEADLINE: MAY 3, 2010 6:30PM DCCAH is seeking members of the Columbia Heights community to design 17 Streetscape Mosaic Medallions at Resonance Plaza for Summer 2010. This competition is open to the community in order to capture the unique qualities of the neighborhood. For more information, contact Rachel Dickerson.

CAPITAL REGION TOURING PROGRAM DEADLINE: MAY 12, 2010, 7PM The Capital Region Touring Program will promote the exchange of touring artists between DC and Maryland. This is a unique opportunity for DC artists to enhance their touring capacity and showcase the diverse talent in both regions. For more information, contact Keona Pearson.

THE MAYOR’S SUMMER YOUTH EMPLOYMENT PROGRAM MEDIA CAMP 2010 Does your organization work with youth between the ages of 14 and 21? DCCAH looks forward to supporting the youth of DC through the Mayor’s Summer Youth Employment Program. For more information, contact Shyree Mezick.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION— CALLS TO ARTISTS & ARTS ORGANIZATIONS MEET THE ARTISTS AT NATIONALS PARK BY AKRIDGE/HALFSTREET DEADLINE: ONGOING (throughout the Nationals’ season) Akridge/Halfstreet is seeking artists to create work on a ‘Meet our local artists’ wall at The Nationals Stadium before the crowds arrive at home games. For more information, download the entry form.

WPARADE DEADLINE: May 5, 2010 The WPA Art Parade is an extravaganza of artists connecting with community to create a moving visual spectacle of art and culture. Visual artists, performers, architects, musicians, and visual arts organizations are invited to work independently, together, and in partnership with community organizations to create inflatable art, placards, portable sculpture and street performances!

THE NEA’S CHALLENGE AMERICA FAST-TRACK REVIEW GRANTS DEADLINE: MAY 27, 2010 The National Endowment for the Arts aims funds for support, primarily to small and mid-sized organizations, of projects that extend the reach of the arts to underserved populations.

FEDERALGRANTS BULLETIN The Office of Partnerships and Grants Funding Alert is available for all of DC interested in federal funding opportunities. Interested individuals and organizations can sign up by clicking on the “DC DOCS” link on OPG’s Funding Alerts website -

art 101 DREAMING

BIG CityDance Ensemble

The Mayor’s Arts Award for Outstanding Contribution to Arts Education

Click here to watch a video on CityDance.

atch a performance, take a class—or help a child do both. CityDance Ensemble, Inc. invites Washington, DC’s youth to discover the power, passion, and purpose of dance. Since 1996, CityDance has touched the lives of more than 30,000 young people through dance; teaching students the importance of setting, achieving, and often exceeding personal goals in a safe and caring environment. CityDance has successfully committed itself to engaging at-risk youth in our city to become active members of their community by learning how to use art to communicate a message and promote change. While CityDance’s mission is to reach neighborhoods where arts education is the least accessible and affordable, they have a presence in every ward of DC. In the words of a Chyna McCleary, 8, CityDance “helps me learn that you have to work hard to be the best that you can be.” www.citydance.net

PHOTOS|PAUL G

GORDON EMERSON

Mayor’s Awards for Arts Teaching

The Mayor’s Awards for Arts Teaching acknowledges

teachers who encourage DC's elementary, middle, and high school students to excel through innovative teaching and active collaboration with school personnel, artists and arts organizations. The following teachers possess an outstanding leadership in promoting activities that involve the arts through multi-disciplinary initiatives with arts and non-arts content areas.

Performing Arts

Rebecca Stump Lafayette Elementary School

Rebecca Stump infuses music with each element of education to make the learning process more meaningful and inspiring for her students six years ago, the performing arts at Lafayette Elementary School continue to grow and mature, as she leads her students through new musical adventures. With Ms. Stump, performing has not just been about learning a new song or a new piece and performing it on stage. With the classroom and visual arts teacher, multidisciplinary units have been created to give the children a more thorough understanding of what they’re studying in school. Every day is performing arts day at Lafayette Elementary School.

Language Arts

Mark A. Williams

Duke Ellington School of the Arts Mark A. Williams is an artist, educator and scholar. Since 2000, he has taught at Duke Ellington School of the arts, where he is currently chair of the literary media and communications department. He has directed 5 grand stage productions in his 10 years at Ellington; all of them showcasing original student work and establishing a precedent with multimedia performance art. Mr. Williams’ artistic and teaching philosophies are inextricably linked. The goal of Mr. Williams’ methodology? The triangle method seeks to produce life-long learners who understand that with learning comes responsibilities.

Bill Harris

Visual Arts

Duke Ellington School of the Arts

Standards. Professionalism. Achievement. In the classroom and studios of master teacher Bill Harris, these words are brought to life everyday. And are continue to live in the hearts and minds of students who carry it with them these lessons. Mr. Harrisâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; room pulses with the expectation of high levels of achievement. And his walls are decorated with the evidence of that achievement. The professional standard that Mr. Harris sets for his students is the same standard he sets for himself.For 42 years, Mr. Bill Harris has imparted to generations of Duke Ellington Students a respect for the creative process and the possibilities that lie within.

Artwork provided by students of Bill Harris.

SOUND

dialed

BITE

Artist LisaMarie Thalhammer discusses the creation of the Bloomingdale

neighborhoodâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s newest public artwork & poet Danielle Evennou reads excerpts from her new chapbook Queen of Tuesday.

EXPERIENCE THE 2010 PORTER COLLOQUIUM Honoring Elizabeth Catlett, Dr. Floyd Coleman, Dr. Jeff Donaldson, and Peggy Cooper-Cafritz Named for the pioneer art historian and professor James A. Porter, the Porter Colloquium is the leading forum for scholars, artists, curators, and individuals in the field of African American Art and Visual Culture. To support the continuation of his legacy, DCCAH joins the Black Artists of DC and Howard University to host our monthly Art Salon. This unique event will celebrate an exhibition of works by the esteemed honorees and bring together scholars, collectors, administartors, and supporters of DCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s creative communities.

special address will be given by DCCAH Chair Dr. Anne Ashmore-Hudson, Commissioner Marvin Bowser, Black Artists of DC Chairman Akili Anderson, and Dr. Gwendolyn Everett, the Howard University Art Department Chair. Date: Saturday, April 17, 2010 Time: 6-8pm Location: Howard University Gallery of Art

For more information, contact Zoma Wallace

ARTIST 2 ARTIST TALK: A DCCAH SOUND BITE

2 ARTISTS, 2 QUESTIONS LISA MARIE THALHAMMER LisaMarie Thalhammer was born in St. Louis, MO and currently lives and creates art in Washington, DC. After studying at the Art Institute of Chicago and Staffordshire University in England, Lisa Marie received a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Painting with Honors and a Women Studies Minor from the University of Kansas in 2003. In 2004, she came to DC for a visit; immediately falling in love with the city and eventually moving here. In May 2009, Lisa Marie created her first major public art work - Boxer Girl - located at 1st & W Streets NW. Lisa Marie has won numerous awards, including the Hollander Family Foundation Award and the Jacobs Prize. Read more about Lisa Marie on our blog

DE: What is it like to be a DC artist amongst the international art world?

“

LMT: One major bonus to being an artist in such a transient city is that amazing curators move here to work in DC’s museum industry for a couple years then move on to other cities - taking with them a knowledge of the DC area’s top artists. Most of my exhibition opportunities nationally, can be traced back to a DC connection somehow.

”

ARTIST 2 ARTIST TALK Date: Sunday, April 25, 2010 2pm Time: 2-4pm Location: O Street Studios

DANIELLE EVENNOU Danielle Evennou is an ex-cheerleader from Central New Jersey. The president of the board of investigators for the DC women’s spoken word organization Mothertongue, Danielle also co-hosts Sparkle, a queer-driven reading series for all. In DC, she has been featured at Sunday Kind of Love, Queering Sound, Cheryl’s Gone, Capital Pride, Poetic Situations, as well as at Sparkle. Her poems have appeared in Blue Collar Review, Objet d’Art, and Xenith. Danielle is the recipient of a DCCAH Young Artist Grant. She recently performed in NYC at Come Hear!, a showcase of 40 poets curated by Nathaniel Siegel and Regie Cabico. Her first chapbook Queen of Tuesday is slated for release in Summer 2010. Read more about Danielle on our blog.

LMT: How is poetry present in your daily life?

“

DE: To me, being a poet means constantly observing the nuances of everyday life, from a protester carrying a giant banner of the Virgin Mary through Union Station to the sound of sirens over church bells. The images and messages created by other poets create a mental backdrop for the way I experience the world.

”

52 O Street NW For more information please visit: 52ostreetstudios.org/

with DC Poet Laureate, DOLORES

KENDRICK

Celebrate National Poetry Month

with a Reading/Greeting

from DC Poet Laureate, Dolores

Kendrick

& Poets, E. Ethelbert Miller, In Search of Color Everywhere Joy Alford, Collective Voices Thomas Sayers Ellis, The Maverick Room Carolyn Joyner, PIP Poet Hosted by Carl Cole, Commissioner Emeritus, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities

Special Award Presentation to Renowned Poet and Author,

Grace Cavalieri

Saturday | April 17 | 10am-1pm Continental Breakfast at 9am GALA Hispanic Theatre 3333 14th St., NW, Washington, DC 20010 COMPLIMENTARY ADMISSION RSVP by 4/14/10: carolyn.parker@dc.gov

A Lesson Before Dying:

The District of Columbia is the tale of two cities.

One is cloistered around 1600 Pennsylvania Av e n u e , arguably the epicenter of power in the entire world; the other, represented by streets like 4000 South Capitol teems with people trying to make it, struggling against the violence and poverty that people on the outside looking in believes defines them. The paradox? At the moment, both places are defined by what the black men that run them do. President Barack Obama is the graduate of two Ivy League schools, author of two books and has been sighted clutching a copy of Derek Walcott’s Collected Poems. The nameless young brother in Southeast doesn’t walk around with those credentials yet, but the Big Read is trying to close some of the gap.

An ART(202) Op-Ed

What if you walked down any street in the city and saw young folks clutching Ernest J Gaines novel A Lesson Before Dying? Call it bold. In a city struggling to keep a library open in each public school, there is a plan to encourage each citizen to pick up the same book. This idea that books matter, and can matter to the lives of regular folks, if only they had a platform to begin a conversation around them. Call it needed. The idea that an entire city reading the same book lays the foundation for a future where literature is woven into conversations on trains and buses, in taxi cabs and in the hallways of federal buildings and tenements. This year, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA) will bring Ernest J Gaines 1994 novel A Lesson Before Dying into public conversation. The NEA began The Big Read three years ago, each year sponsoring communities as they declare a single book to be worth reading by the entire city. A wild ambition, The Big Read argues that good books have lives of their own, and are able to affect more lives as they are read and discussed more. To read more, visit our blog

—Opinion by R. Dwayne Betts for The Big Read. Opinions expressed in this article do not necessarily reflect the views of, nor are they endorsed by DCCAH. .

Power Pirate is a three-piece electronic

rock band from DC. Since their formation in 2007, Power Pirate has found its place in DC’s music scene through catchy melodies and complex instrumentation. The trio fuses 80s-styled techno synths with hard-rock drum beats and guitar riffs to create the new, uncategorized genre unique to Power Pirate. The band employs a “Do It Yourself” philosophy by recording and producing their music at home, as well as their graphic design, photography, and booking work.

www.powerpirate.com

EMILY

- Vocals & Guita

Emily began experimenting with a nylon string guitar whe she was 12 years old. After tackling some of the basics, bought her first electric guita year later, Emily formed Pow Pirate with Michael. Emily is 1 years old and is a high schoo sophomore in Washington, D

“Fun, pulsat

- District of Sound

Listen to Power Pirate’s new album here.

MICHAEL

- Keyboards:

A former student at the Levine School of Music, Michael is experienced in both classical and jazz piano styles. Currently Michael is a self-taught performer, expanding his talents to include electronic, jazz, and experimental psy-trance. Mike is 17 years old and is a junior in high school in Bethesda, MD. twitter.com/mike_pp

ar:

she ar. A wer 15 ol D.C.

ting, head-rocking musicâ&#x20AC;?

ANNIKA

- Drums:

When Annika was 12, Emily recommended that she play the bass so that the two of them could collaborate. At the age of 13, Annika began teaching herself drums, eventually developing the skill to keep Power Pirate in rhythm. Annika is 16 years old and is a sophomore in high school in Washington, DC. twitter.com/annika_pp

CAPTURING

DC’ S IDENTITY Portraits of DC is more than just faces on paper. It tells the true state of DC, where every person brings a unique story to the conversation. For the contest, DCCAH partnered with FotoWeekDC, Social Restaurant and the DC Counts campaign in an attempt to capture that diversity. Our community has a history that is unparalleled by any other place in the country or the world. We have come from different parts of the country, various parts of the world; contributing numerous cultures and many languages to this place in time and history. Portraits of DC aims to capture that character and to remind citizens of the importance of the 2010 Census. Look for the 51 winning photographs at Columbia Heights’ newest restaurant, Social, on April 27th at 7pm for the opening of ‘Portraits of DC.’ For more information, contact Zoma Wallace.

42 34

he contest was open to all photographers: public and private, experienced and novice, old and young alike. The wide range of images submitted paint the true story of DC—from young professionals to children at play; from recently naturalized citizens to standing neighborhood legends. Maurice Henderson of the DC Counts Campaign asserts, “this was not about glamour shots.” The judging panel selected the winning photographs not only according to the quality of the photo, but also the context of the subject.

PHOTO|DAVE ADAMS

LISTING OF 30 ARTISTS CHOSEN: 1. L.A. Abbott 2. Dave Adams 3. Rachel Atcheson 4. Pablo Benavente 5. Saundra Bishop 6. William Bramble 7. Carol E. Buns 8. Rodney Choice 9. Jim Darling 10. Eleena Fikhman 11. James Gentner 12. Daria Grayer 13. Annie Kaempfer 14. Phil Kogan 15. Gunnar Larson 16.Beverlie Lord 17. Quentin Miles 18. Charlie Nutting 19. Deeny Ogden 20. Rick Reinhard 21. William Rivas-Rivas 22. Mark Silva 23. Michael Starghill 24. James Symons 25. Chip Taylor 26. Yoma Ullman 27. Alyssa Vedia 28. Peter Witte 29. Joshua Yospyn 30. Beki Gangi

JOSHUA YOSPYN

BEVERLIE LORD

RACHEL A

ATCHESON

QUENTIN MILES

SAUNDRA BISHOP

CHARLIE NUTTING

MICHAEL STARGHILL

CAROL E. BURNS

PHIL KOGAN

CHIP TAYLOR

DAVE ADAMS

PHOTO|DAVE ADAMS

JIM DARLING

MARK SILVA

Special thanks to Social Restaurant, FotoWeekDC, and DC Counts.

GUNNAR LARSON

WILLIAM BRAMBLE

PETER WITTE

JIM DARLING

WILLIAM RIVAS-RIVAS

JAMES SYMONS

DAVE ADAMS

RICK REINHARD

BEKI GANGI

RACHEL ATCHESON

ELEENA FIKHMAN

DARIA GREYER

QUENTIN MILES

YOMA ULLMAN

JOSHUA YOSPYN

CHARLIE NUTTING

PABLO BENAVENTE

CAROL E. BURNS

CHARLIE NUTTING

CAROL E. BURNS

RICK REINHARD

ANNIE KAEMPFER

JAMES GENTNER

ALYSSA VEDIA

BEKI GANGI

DEEDY OGDEN

YOMA ULLMAN

RODNEY CHOICE

MARK SILVA

ALYSSA VEDIA

DEEDY OGDEN

JAMES SYMONS

RODNEY CHOICE

L.A. ABBOTT

THE

IN KNOW

ART(202)TELEVISION

TEACHING ARTIST SURVEY

DCCAH, in partnership with DC Office of Cable Television (OCT), is airing Art(202)TV, an innovative one-hour television segment showcasing DC’s Art Scene on the Mayor’s Channel 16. Tune in Fridays at 9pm and Saturdays at 11pm!

DCCAH is currently gathering information on DC teaching artists to advance Arts Education and to promote life long learning. Please complete our survey or forward it to someone you know who is a teaching artist. Our goal is to amass a Teaching Artist Roster which will then provide DCCAH and other organizations the information they need to offer you employment and other opportunities relative to your field.

For more information, visit our website.

FATAL FANTASY: LA MELODIA DE LA CALLE In his first solo show, Angel Perez, a Junior at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, exhibits a variety of media including painting, printmaking, and found object sculpture. Perez considers himself a Chicano artist, combining elements from his Hispanic heritage with inspiration from his Adams Morgan neighborhood. April 10-May 15 Sitar Arts Center 1700 Kalorma Road, NW

CultureCapital.com connects DC to the heart of the arts and culture community of the DC area. This virtual arts marketplace provides information and ticketpurchase options for shows, performances, classes and exhibitions from more than 300 regional arts organizations and cultural institutions, making it the region’s richest and most diverse collection of arts and culture activities.

HALF PRICE TICKETS

BLACK IN BLACK

TICKETPLACE, your source for halfprice local tickets to the performing arts in DC, now offers advance purchase and day of show ticket sales.

The Fridge DC presents a unique collaboration between Tim Conlon and Mark Jenkins. Black in Black fuses the artists’ two distinct styles: Conlon typically uses a gamut of color, whereas Jenkins prefers a transparent, muted range.

NEA FY2011BUDGET On Tuesday, April 13, NEA Chairman Rocco Landesman presented the 2011 budget for Fiscal Year 2011 to the House Interior Appropriations Subcommittee. The NEA is requesting $161.3 million for programs such as Our Town, which will invest $5 million in 35 communities for projects that put the arts at the center of creating sustainable, livable communities.. To read the transcript, click here

For more events, visit our website and Facebook page.

STAY ITK WITH CULTURECAPITAL.COM!

April 10-May 9, 2010 The Fridge Rear Alley 516 8th Street, SE

artisttoolbox

Each month, you’ll find a staple of arts resources, with new additions provided by grantees.

PARTNERSHIPS Provides a forum for artists to convene, perform and exhibit; strengthening Washington’s arts community.

RESOURCES ARTS EDUCATION •The American Alliance for Theatre & Education •The Kennedy Center ArtsEdge •National Guild of Community Schools of the Arts

FUNDING C U LT U R A L A L L I A N C E

& SERVE

RESEARCH

CONVENE

A D V O C AT E GREATER WASHINGTON

This virtual arts marketplace connects users to more than 300 DC-area arts organizations and cultural institutions.

Provides access to arts and humanities education for DC Public and Public Charter Schools to encourage the growth of the whole child.

A private, non-profit affiliate of the National Endowment for the Humanities, the Humanities Council funds and conducts humanitiesbased cultural and educational programs across DC.

Established by Congress in 1965, the NEA is the nation’s largest annual funder of the arts, supporting excellence in the arts bringing art to all Americans, and leading the nation in arts education.

Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation supports the richness and diversity of the region’s arts resources and promotes wider access to the art and artists of the region, nation and world. Provides education, advocacy and volunteer services through workshops, seminars, and clinics for artists and arts organizations, and pro-bono referral services.

•ArtsReady •Grantmakers in the Arts •Mayor’s Office of Partnerships and Grants Development (OPGD) •Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers (WRAG)

MARKETING •National Arts Marketing Project •Technology in the Arts

LEGAL •The Artists Rights Society •The Copyright Society of the United States of America •Porterfield’s Fine Art Licensing •Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts (VLA)

GENERAL •Americans for the Arts •Cultural Alliance of Greater Washington •National Council of Nonprofit Associations •National Endowment for the Humanities •National Foundation for Advancement in the Arts •The President’s Committee on the Arts and the Humanities

SPECIAL INTEREST •American Association of Community Theatre •International Society for the Performing Arts • Jesse Thompkins III Foundation for Young People in the Arts •National Alliance for Media Art & Culture •National Association of Women Artists •National Association of Latino Arts and Culture •PEN American Center •Poets & Writers

dccah

ABOUT MISSION

Our Mission at The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities is to provide grants, programs and educational activities that encourage diverse artistic expressions and learning opportunities, so that all District of Columbia residents and visitors can experience the rich culture of our city.

COMMISSIONERS

OFFICE OF THE POET LAUREATE Dolores Kendrick | District of Columbia

DCCAH STAFF Gloria Nauden | Executive Director Ayris T. Scales | Deputy Director

INTERNS

Evan Bentz | ART(202) TV Intern Breanna Bickmore | ART(202) TV Intern Armando Lopez Bircann | Digital Media Intern

E. Kimbell Hall | Outreach Intern Elizabeth Pisano | Arts Education Intern Nijeul Porter | Special Events Intern

Get Connected!

EMPLOYEE OF THE MONTH Keona Pearson has worked at DCCAH for the past year as an Arts Program Assistant and our Risk Management Coordinator. With a background in finance, Keona is an integral asset to the grants management department. Most recently, she has spearheaded the management and coordination of our Capital Region Touring program and the Performing Artist Roster program. Her positive energy, hard work and professional stature enable her to give the highest quality customer service to all constituents. A true joy to be around, Keona is always able to bring out a smile in everyone with whom she interacts.

STUDENT OF THE MONTH Angel Perez, a junior at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts, is having his first solo show at Sitar Arts Center, where he has been a student for ten years.

Fatal Fantasy: La Melodia de la Calle April 10-May 15 Sitar Arts Center Fatal Fantasy: La Melodia de la Calle showcases his work in a variety of media including painting, printmaking, and found object sculpture. Perez considers himself a Chicano artist, combining elements from his Hispanic heritage with inspiration from his Adams Morgan neighborhood. In 2009, Perez won the District of Columbia Congressional Art Award through the Office of Eleanor Holmes Norton. In addition, he is very active in the community, serving as the student representative on DCâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Arts Education Task Force, meeting with the Congressional Latino Council, and working with artists in the DC community such as color field painter Sam Gilliam and muralist Karlisima (Karla Rodas).