PRINCE GEORGE'S COUNTY ‘The Sky’s The Limit’ Mural Enhances the Hyattsville Landscape
WI Staff Report
The city of Hyattsville will feature a colorful mural to enliven an area that’s part of the Prince George’s County’s arts district. A mural called “The Sky’s The Limit” will prominently display on the Pyramid Atlantic Art Center for three years as part of the city’s 4 The Eclipse International Reggae Band performs at a free outdoor concert July 10 at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park. Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation will offer free concerts every Sunday in July to celebrate National Park and Recreation Month. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer
Corridor Investment Grant program. A program description summarizes the program provides funding for three different activities include: up to $1,500 for programming for a series or one-day event; up to $2,500 for exterior improvements such as planters, flower boxes and public art/murals; and up
to $5,000 for business consulting, workshops, or a one-time commercial tenant subsidy for a small business. Muralist John Ortiz, who has a
studio at Pyramid Atlantic, summarized the artwork as “soothing” and “organic.” “I thought about how sky’s the limit with printmaking, it’s exper-
Prince George’s Celebrates Parks Month in July WI Staff Report
ARETHA
DISTRICT24 3 People attend an outdoor concert July 10 at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park. The Eclipse International Reggae Band performed as part of Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation celebration National Park and Recreation Month in July. (Robert R. Roberts/The Washington Informer)
12 JUL 14 - 20, 2022
5 A mural called “The Sky’s The Limit” created by John Ortiz will be featured in Hyattsville for three years as part of the city’s Corridor Investment Grant program. (Photo courtesy of the City of Hyattsville)
Prince George’s County Parks and Recreation will host free outdoor concerts in July as part of National Park and Recreation Month. The concerts will be held every Sunday at 6 p.m. at Bladensburg Waterfront Park. Each week features a different genre starting with a reggae band July 10; dance July 17; blues and soul July 24; and jazz and R&B July 31. Those interested in outdoor movies can see “Little Giants” for free at 7 p.m. July 20 at Watkins Regional Park in Upper Marlboro. The park showcased two other movies this month on Wednesday. Parents and guardians with children can participate in “Kids Day in the Park” from 4 to 6 p.m. July 14 at Walker Mill Regional Park in Capitol Heights.
The annual celebration held since 1985 seeks to promote health, explore walking trails, participate in outdoor recreation and other activities. The National Recreation and Park Association has a legislative platform for parks officials and advocates to help local, state and federal officials incorporate legislation based on three pillars: health and wellness, equity and conservation. “Parks and recreation is a vital part of our community. We help preserve and protect more than 28,000 acres of parkland, strive to keep our community healthy, and provide quality programs for people of all ages,” Bill Tyler, director of the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation, said in a statement. “We’re excited to celebrate our impact in Prince George’s County.” WI
imental, adventurous, and there is really no limit to what you can do,” he said. Pyramid Atlantic, founded in 1981 by artist and teacher Helen C. Frederick, seeks to create an artistic hub in Hyattsville to help inspire local and international artists, elevate the local arts scene and enhance the quality of life for artists. Besides workshops and other activities, the center also provides free art education classes called “Snag It” for those ages 14 and 22 who reside in Prince George’s. Participants will need to pay for certain materials toward the class. Summer internships will be offered next year for college art students and those who recently graduated. The interns will help maintain studios, assist in projects, one free workshop and a critique session from an artistic director and visiting artists. The application deadline is Feb. 18. Kate Taylor Davis, executive director of Pyramid Atlantic, praised Ortiz’s mural to showcase the center’s creative talent. “It works on a couple levels, both as a vibrant landscape and also as a hint of what can be done at Pyramid,” she said. “In addition to inspiring a few selfies, I hope it also inspires curiosity.” For more information on the art center, go to www.pyramidatlanticartcenter.org. WI
THE WASHINGTON INFORMER / WWW.WASHINGTONINFORMER.COM
