Integral to the theme of the convention is an opportunity to experience real communities that exemplify the characteristics that attendees will be discussing. By metro, bus, and shoe-leather, we will explore these vibrant places.
DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: U Street/14th Street Bohemian Tour
Experience the revival of the heart of DC’s historic African-American community, where entertainers like Pearl Bailey and Jelly Roll Morton; black-owned businesses; and grand movie theaters like the Howard, Dunbar, and Lincoln made U Street the place to be. Participants will arrive by Metro to the U Street/African American Civil War Memorial station. We will visit the Thurgood Marshall Building, which is a former YMCA, and housed the law offices of Thurgood Marshall during his landmark Brown
vs. The Board of Education Supreme Court trial. The Shaw Heritage Museum has re-created rooms in the building that bring back the sounds and look of this long ago time. Then, stroll past the African American Civil War Memorial, and tour the Black Fashion Museum and the Lincoln Theater. The tour will culminate with a walk down 14th Street’s Theatre Row, featuring Arena Stage’s Second Space and the Studio Theatre’s Main Stage and Second Stage. We will then be free to return to the hotel or have dinner on our own among the many new restaurants and cafes along the 14th Street corridor.
Accessibility: This ARTventure begins with a two hour walking tour.
Transportation: Metrocard of $2.70 roundtrip is required. You will be escorted from the Omni Shoreham through the Metro system to your destination.
[Depart: Woodley Park Metro stop on the red line in the direction of Silver Spring or Glenmont; transfer at Gallery Place to the green line in the direction of Greenbelt; exit U Street/African American Civil War Memorial at the 13th and U Streets exit. Return: U Street/African American Civil War Memorial Metro stop on the green line in the direction of Branch Avenue; transfer at Gallery Place to the red line in the direction of Grosvenor/Strathmore or Shady Grove; exit Woodley Park.]
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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Capitol Hill Gallery and Library Tour
Located next to the U.S. Capitol grounds is the charming 19th-century neighborhood of Capitol Hill. Unique museums, the historic Eastern Market, and the Folger Shakespeare Library are all within walking distance of the Eastern Market Metro. We will begin with a walking tour of the Hill, followed by art exhibits and discussions at galleries with local artists. The ARTventure will culminate with a walk over to the Folger Shakespeare Library where we will have a tour and then view an excerpt from Deep Azzure, a featured play at the DC Hip Hop Theater Festival.
Accessibility: This ARTventure begins with an hour-and-a-half walking tour. The bathroom at Eastern Market is up a flight of stairs; however other restroom options are available.
Transportation: Metrocard of $2.70 roundtrip is required. You will be escorted from the Omni Shoreham through the Metro system to your destination.
[Depart: Woodley Park Metro stop on the red line in the direction of Silver Spring or Glenmont; transfer at Metro Center to the orange or blue line in the direction of New Carrollton (orange) or Addison Road (blue); exit Eastern Market. Return: multiple options. Check with your tour leaders on-site.]
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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Dupont Circle: Visions Cinema and The Phillips Collection
In this vibrant, cosmopolitan neighborhood, you will find some of the city’s finest museums, embassies, and historic homes, as well as an array of restaurants, unique bookstores, and the city's largest concentration of private art galleries. We will begin with a screening of short films at Visions Cinema and a discussion of the dance scene in the District. Then, we’ll leave Visions and take a walking tour of Embassy Row, stopping by Joy of Motion, one of the DC’s most popular dance studios. We’ll end up at The Phillips Collection. This museum was formerly a residence and one can still feel that sense of home when strolling through a gallery that was once a dining room.
Accessibility: This ARTventure includes an hour-and-a-half hour walking tour. Joy of Motion is up a flight of stairs.
Transportation: Metrocard of $2.70 roundtrip is required. You will be escorted from the Omni Shoreham through the Metro system to your destination.
[Depart: Woodley Park Metro stop on the red line in the direction of Silver Spring or Glenmont; exit Dupont Circle at the Q Street exit. Return: Dupont Circle Metro stop (Q Street entrance) on the red line in the direction of Grosvenor/Strathmore or Shady Grove; exit Woodley Park.]
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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Georgetown Jazz
Georgetown, a remarkably intact example of a complete historic town, boasts period homes, gardens, shops, and eateries. We will arrive by bus and take a walking tour of Georgetown before ending up at the legendary Blues Alley. While at Blues Alley, one of DC jazz greats, Jacque Johnson, will serenade us with song and discuss the history of jazz music in DC. Then enjoy dinner on your own at Blues Alley or in one of Georgetown’s many restaurants, or head back to the hotel by bus.
Accessibility: This ARTventure begins with a two hour walking tour.
Transportation: Buses leave from the Parkview exit of the Omni Shoreham and return from Wisconsin Avenue and Grace Street (near Blues Alley) at 6:15 pm. Those staying in Georgetown return on their own by Metro or taxi.
[Return: Foggy Bottom/GW University Metro stop on the orange or blue line in the direction of New Carrollton (orange) or Addison Road (blue); transfer at Metro Center to the red line in the direction of Grosvenor/Strathmore or Shady Grove; exit Woodley Park.]
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DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA: Metro Rail Public Art Tour
We will ride the Metro and disembark at the city’s largest public art gallery, the Washington Convention Center. A Convention Center tour will highlight the artworks specifically designed and commissioned for the facility. The tour will culminate with DC’s version of The Quiz Show at the City Museum, where brave participants can test their DC IQ and win fabulous prizes.
Accessibility: This tour is accessible to people with disabilities and older adults.
Transportation: Metrocard of $2.70 roundtrip is required. You will be escorted from the Omni Shoreham through the Metro system to your destination.
[Depart: Woodley Park Metro stop on the red line in the direction of Silver Spring or Glenmont; transfer at Gallery Place to the yellow or green line in the direction of Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street/Convention Center (yellow) or Greenbelt (green); exit Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street/Convention Center exit. Return: Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street/Convention Center on the yellow or green line in the direction of Huntington (yellow) or Branch Avenue (green); transfer at Gallery Place to the red line in the direction of Grosvenor/Strathmore or Shady Grove; exit Woodley Park.]
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MARYLAND: Baltimore Public Arts in Community Places
A charter bus will bring us into the neighborhoods of historic Charles Street, the north-south spine of Baltimore City, as well as into the Sowebo area. We will begin with Sculpture at Evergreen 2004, a biennial exhibition of large outdoor installations on the 25-acre grounds of historic Evergreen House, and then spend time at the American Visionary Art Museum; tour community art sites; and take in the beat at the annual Artscape Festival, the city’s premier event highlighting the literary, visual, and performing arts. The afternoon will include a casual dinner reception overlooking the Artscape Festival site.
Accessibility: Several installations at Evergreen House are in the middle of grassy areas or down a short flight of stairs.
Transportation: Bus leaves from the Parkview exit of the Omni Shoreham and leaves from the Artscape Festival at 8:00 p.m.
Please note that you will return to the hotel from this ARTventure around 9:00 p.m.
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MARYLAND: Arts and Economic Development: Silver Spring Synergy
Silver Spring’s ARTventure will begin with a quick visit to Arts on the Block. Modeled on Chicago’s Gallery 37, it is Maryland’s only job training program in the arts for high school students. Then, it’s on to Pyramid Atlantic, internationally renowned for their paper arts and newly arrived in downtown Silver Spring. From there we head to the new black box theater built for Round House Theatre, a regional equity theater company. Going next door, we will see the magnificent renovation of the Silver Theatre, operated by and home to the American Film Institute on the East Coast. Our tour will continue to the $400 million redevelopment project in downtown Silver Spring that uses public art to create a sense of place. Our final destination will be the international headquarters of Discovery Communications, Inc.
Accessibility: This ARTventure is primarily walking though a shuttle will be available. Studios at Pyramid Atlantic are on both the ground and second floors. The second floor is up a flight of stairs.
Transportation: Metrocard of $3.70 roundtrip is required. You will be escorted from the Omni Shoreham through the Metro system to your destination. Those staying for dinner in Silver Spring return on their own by Metro.
[Depart: Woodley Park Metro stop on the red line in the direction of Silver Spring or Glenmont; exit Silver Spring at the main exit (toward the back of the train). Return: Silver Spring Metro stop on the red line in the direction of Grosvenor/Strathmore or Shady Grove; exit Woodley Park.]
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MARYLAND: Art’s Alive in Downtown Bethesda
Bethesda is located just outside the nation’s capital and is renowned throughout the greater Washington, DC, area for its international dining, spectacular festivals, and distinctive boutiques. From award-winning theater to independent films, downtown Bethesda’s Arts and Entertainment District is filled with inspiring artists and art venues. Unique galleries and public art fill the streets. Take a tour through Bethesda’s hip “urban village” and delight in fine art, the creative works of independent artists, public art, and the marvels of live theater.
Accessibility: This tour is accessible to people with disabilities and older adults.
Transportation: Metrocard of $2.70 roundtrip is required. Those staying for dinner in Bethesda return on their own by Metro.
[Depart: Woodley Park Metro stop on the red line in the direction of Grosvenor/Strathmore or Shady Grove; exit Bethesda. Return: Bethesda Metro stop on the red line in the direction of Silver Spring or Glenmont; exit Woodley Park.]
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MARYLAND: Building the Arts from the Ground Up: An Insiders Look at the
Gateway Arts District
Witness how arts-centered development, civic engagement, and public/private partnerships are being creatively combined to transform a neglected inner-beltway community into a vibrant arts district. When completed, this $70 million initiative will provide more than 150 artist live/work facilities; an African-American Cultural Heritage Center; and gallery, studio, and performance spaces. Gateway Community Development Corporation will host this walking and bus tour, which will feature live performances, neighborhood-based arts programs, an exploration of development sites, and examples of affordable housing projects for artists. A panel of partners will introduce the tour and be on hand to answer questions on everything from animation to zoning.
Accessibility: One gallery is up a flight of stairs on the second floor.
Transportation: Buses leave from the Parkview exit of the Omni Shoreham. Participants will transfer to smaller buses for the actual tour. Those staying for dinner will be taken to the Metro to return on their own.
[Return: West Hyattsville Metro stop on the green line in the direction of Branch Avenue; transfer at Gallery Place to the red line in the direction of Grosvenor/Strathmore or Shady Grove; exit Woodley Park.]
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VIRGINIA: Alexandria ARTventure
Experience how the arts continue to define the charming ambience of this waterfront city. The tour will include music, dance, theatre, and public art in three distinct areas of Alexandria: Arlandria/Del Ray, Upper King Street, and North Old Town. A docent on each bus, as well as city officials at various stops, will speak about the revitalization of particular neighborhoods, cultural diversity, and the public/private partnerships that have developed. The afternoon will conclude with a reception at the Campagna Center and an opportunity to enjoy the Young at Art exhibition. Sponsored in partnership with the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program and the Friends of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, this annual juried exhibition showcases artwork of older adults.
Accessibility: This tour is accessible to people with disabilities and older adults.
Transportation: Bus leaves from the Parkview exit of the Omni Shoreham. A bus returns to the hotel between 6:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m.; a later bus will be available for those staying in Alexandria for dinner.
[Return: King Street Metro stop on the yellow line in the direction of Mt. Vernon Square/7th Street/Convention Center; transfer at Gallery Place to the red line in the direction of Grosvenor/Strathmore or Shady Grove; exit Woodley Park. OR King Street Metro stop on the blue line in the direction of Addison Road; transfer at Metro Center to the red line in the direction of Grosvenor/Strathmore or Shady Grove; exit Woodley Park.]
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VIRGINIA: Arlington Incuba-tour—A Neighborhood Arts Odyssey
Arlington’s award-winning arts incubator…ever wonder how it got that way? Visit key incubator facilities, and see and hear from the diverse group artists and arts organizations supported by the program. The tour features multiple examples of neighborhood-based arts facilities and adaptive reuse, and demonstrates how strategic investment can spur economic and cultural growth. As if Washington summers aren’t hot enough, our first stop will be a red-hot smokin’ raku party at the Lee Arts Center-Arlington County Cultural Affairs Division’s studio facility for ceramics, printmaking and the book arts. Next, at the Gunston Arts Center theater complex, tour our theatres, scene shop and costume shop where you can reinvent yourself in preparation for our final stop: an interactive arts experience showcasing Arlington’s diverse art community, and accompanied by food, beverage and surprises!
Accessibility: This tour is accessible to people with disabilities and older adults.
Transportation: Buses leave from the Parkview exit of the Omni Shoreham and return from the Rosslyn Spectrum. Those staying for dinner in Rosslyn return on their own by Metro or taxi.
[Return: Rosslyn Metro stop on the blue or orange line in the direction of Addison Road (blue) or New Carrollton (orange); transfer at Metro Center to the red line in the direction of Grosvenor/Strathmore or Shady Grove; exit Woodley Park.]
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