When the City Smiles
- tourdeforcedc
- Dec 15
- 2 min read
Updated: Dec 16
Making Warmth in Public!
Hi friends,
Meet Our December Grantee: Julio Valdez for Takoma Elementary School.
Julio has been commissioned by Takoma Elementary School to paint a welcoming mural on the walls flanking the outer entrance. Julio has worked with the students in previous instances to design art for the streetscape in front of the building.
“Sharing the joy of the creative process to enliven communities and schools through my art. What motivates me is putting a smile on peoples faces and seeing how they react to the public art projects and workshops I share with them.” – Julio Valdez
Joy Is a Public Act
An update from our previous grantee: Partners for Historical Justice (PHJ)
PHJ has been working on additions to their Public Art Guide: Re-envisioning Blackness: Race and Public Art in the District of Columbia.
Over the past year the Capital Hill Boys Club Intergenerational Gallery has emerged as one of the most interesting art-making and cultural spaces in DC’s southeast. Resident artists and youth practitioners collaborate in in a wide range of creative production, reclaiming a former open air drug market while forging deep bonds of community within one of the lowest income neighborhoods in the national capital area.
The learning guide is permanently displayed in our blog and is available for anyone to comment on and share!
Tis the season! It’s a special time of year, as holiday decorations and cheer increase tenfold. Here are some fun ways to partake in this year’s winter wonderlands:
DC Holiday Market (until December 23rd)
Hosted in DuPont Circle neighborhood at 11 Dupont Circle on New Hampshire Ave Street, NW, featuring over 30 small businesses.
Downtown DC Holiday Market (until December 23rd)
Hosted in Penn Quarter/Chinatown neighborhoods on F Street, between 7th and 9th Streets NW, featuring vendors, artists, live performances. Be sure to experience the special light installation in Franklin Park!
Winter Wonderfest (until December 30th)
Hosted at Nationals Park, this one is for the active folks. The pop-up theme park features a gigantic slide, putt-putt course, and a train ride, plus a Snowflake Studio with the work of local artists.
Give → Inspire → Repeat!
We accept tax-deductible donations via Fractured Atlas, our fiscal sponsorship partner! Find out more on our fundraising page by clicking the button below.
Get in touch!
We're always eager to connect with artists and educators in the DMV area who are passionate about creating social impact through their work. Whether you have an idea for a community-based project or if you simply want to learn more about our grant opportunities, we'd love to hear from you!
Feel free to reach out to us through the contact information provided on our website, or submit your proposal using the form you'll find there.
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