Last Friday the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) launched a new eMuseum that makes the District's fine art and public art collections available to the public in digital format for the first time.

 

The site will catalogue more than 2,800 pieces of the District's Art Bank fine arts collection, as well as public artworks commissioned by the DC government. Users will be able to search by different criteria, including artist name, media and year of creation.

 

"Using technology in this way allows us to make these artworks accessible to a larger group of the population," said Arthur Espinoza, Jr., Executive Director of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. "The District has acquired an impressive collection of works by local artists over many years, and we want to make sure that our residents and visitors have the opportunity to see and engage these pieces."

 

The new site is part of innoMAYtion, Mayor Muriel Bowser's month-long initiative that showcases DC's innovation ecosystem.

 

The Art Bank is the District's fine art collection, managed by DCCAH. Each year, DCCAH takes submissions from local artists to be included in the collection. Submissions are reviewed by an independent panel that makes purchase recommendations. The artworks are then displayed in public areas of District government buildings.

 

Currently, 40% of the collection is available to view online. The total collection will be online by the end of 2016. Public artworks commissioned by the District will also be viewable online.

 

Visitors to the site will have the option to register for a free account to save their favorite works, as well as share artworks on social media networks.

 

For more information, visit: www.dcarts.dc.gov.

Memorial Day

Have a grand Memorial Day! Our grateful thanks to all those who have served and their families, and our gratitude to all the soldiers, airmen/women, marines, and sailors currently serving all over the world and at sea.


We've got your back!

RESPECT: Unsung Heroes in Uniform Art Exhibit at Del Ray Artisans Gallery

Opening Reception: Friday, June 3 from 7-9pm

Show Dates: June 3-26, 2016

When one is in uniform, people tend to see the uniform but not the individual. Let’s take a moment to give respect to ALL unsung heroes in uniform: coaches, teams, nurses, doctors, dentists, vets, food and restaurant workers, janitors, maintenance employees, retail service workers, gym instructors, landscape workers, bus and train drivers, police officers, and security personnel... just to name a few!

Visit Del Ray Artisans gallery in June to see how area artists chose to show their respect. Some artists expressed their point of view, depicted something funny or thought provoking, or honored a loved one. There will also be a small memorial section in the gallery where visitors can reflect, contemplate or remember. The exhibit runs June 3-26, 2016.

 

Please join uthemfor the opening reception on Friday, June 3 from 7-9pm, and check Del Ray Artisans website calendar for other events scheduled throughout the month.

 

The RESPECT exhibit is at Del Ray Artisans gallery in the Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, Virginia 22301. Gallery hours are: Thursdays 12-6pm, First Thursdays (April-September) 12-9pm, Fridays 12-9pm, Saturdays 12-9pm, and Sundays 12-6pm. The gallery is free, open to the public and handicap accessible.

For more information, please visit www.TheDelRayArtisans.org or contact the curator, Tracy Wilkerson, at RecycledWorks@yahoo.com.