Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Exciting New Arts Initiative Coming to D.C. Area

Imagine. . . 

✦ A building that houses a photography center with six classrooms, three shooting studios, a gallery, a public darkroom, conference rooms, and an office/studio rental program for photographers.

✦ An arts center in that same 25,000-square-foot building, offering resident artists studio space in which to work and affiliate artists space on an as-needed and as-available basis.

✦ Classroom space for arts-related education — from how to run an art business, to networking, to exploring new processes — as well as gallery space and meeting rooms that can accommodate art groups of all kinds.

✦ Arts events and classes at times convenient to your schedule.

✦ Two local nonprofits sharing the building, which will be open 70 hours a week, every day of the week.

✦ Plenty of free parking and accessibility via Metro.

Imagine they did! The Washington School of Photography and Capitol Arts Network - CAN Studios, I'm delighted to announce, are about to realize their dream to open a new, inspiring, and lively arts space where Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C.-area artists may work, network, collaborate, and inspire one another.  I know personally a number of the artists who have been involved in this venture and can attest to their dedication to see their initiative through and make it a success. What they've envisioned will benefit our area enormously.

Informational Meetings Scheduled

Next week, WSP and CAN will be convening two informational meetings for photographers and artists who are interested in learning more about prospective opportunities for resident artists or photographers. The events, both at WSP's current location (see address below), will be held on Wednesday, September 5, 7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., and Saturday, September 8, 11:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Plans and photographs of the building will be available for examination, along with takeaways, including an information packet, application, and an overview of WSP and CAN and the groups' collective creative vision.

WSP and CAN anticipate studio space for approximately 30 artists and 10 photographers and expect those spaces to fill quickly; so, get in at the start of this promising project by attending one of the meetings.

RSVP Judith HeartSong at judith@capitolartsnetwork.com by Tuesday, September 4. 

E-mail Judith to let her know that you would like to be added to the mailing list for gallery openings and art-related opportunities.

If you have questions, please telephone Judith HeartSong at 301-661-7590. 

Washington School of Photography
4850 Rugby Avenue
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
301-654-1998

WSP on FaceBook and Twitter

Please help get out the word by passing along this information to artists and photographers you know, your social media contacts in the arts, and local artist groups and guilds.

1 comment:

Hannah Stephenson said...

How cool and exciting! What a great resource for artists!