Planning proceeds apace for SW ArtsFest 2013.
Our annual neighborhood arts festival this year will have the theme “Breaking New Ground.” Theme 2013 takes its inspiration from ongoing neighborhood redevelopment. The old EPA towers have already experienced extensive renovation. This year will see groundbreaking on the waterfront and on 4th Street south of I Street. Planning is well underway for I Street’s Randall School project.
Scheduled for Saturday, September 28, SW ArtsFest 2013 will incorporate St. Augustine Episcopal Church’s End-of-Summer Fair and Westminster Presbyterian’s 12th annual DC Jazz Preservation Festival. The festival will also include neighborhood walking tours, hand dancing at Arena Stage, a bicycle parade, and entertainment at Christ United Methodist Church and from Hoffman-Madison Waterfront at The Wharf. As last year, organizers plan a Central Art Market between Safeway and M Street, with involvement by the Washington Nationals and an auction of items donated by local hotels and restaurants.
The SW ArtsFest board has set a producer deadline of June 1, 2013. For inclusion in SW ArtsFest 2013, producers must commit by that date. The board will continue its practice of requesting a financial contribution from each neighborhood producer. For more information on how to become an SW ArtsFest 2013 producer, email swartsfest@gmail.com or call 202-320-0286.
Some producers will include space for local artists. If you want to exhibit your art at SW ArtsFest 2013, contact Saadia Athias at saadenterprise@msn.com.
SW ArtsFest board meetings are open to the public. The board will next meet at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, March 2, at Christ United Methodist Church, 900 4th St. SW.
On May 4, SW ArtsFest will hold its annual meeting to elect officers and board members. Adrienne Terry chairs the SW ArtsFest Nominating Committee. If you’re interested in serving on the SW ArtsFest board, contact Reverend Terry at (202) 554-8899 or rokofages@yahoo.com.
SW ArtsFest on September 28 will start a week featuring arts in Southwest, climaxing with the (e)merge art fair from October 3-6. That week, art lovers will find Southwest DC’s center for accessible art.