Art-O-Matic

All Things Creative in One Place in DC

Before there are walls, carpet, and cubicles, there is art and music and lots of it, in a building on the corner of First and M Streets NE. Ten floors and over 1,100 visual and performing artists make up this year's installment of Art-O-Matic. Since 1999, DC-area artists have been coming together to organize and produce this annual free-hung group show. This year the show takes place on the concrete floors of an empty office building. Walls of plywood were erected as backdrops and lights were strung to illuminate the space. Besides that, the space was raw until artists came in and brought the space to life.

There is so much great work there it's hard to know where to start, but lets take a look at some of the crafts-people. The faculty of DC Glassworks make a strong showing on the 8th floor. DC Glassworks is a community glass shop offering classes, workshops, and hot shop rental in Hyattsville, MD. Four faculty members can be seen, Mike Showalter, Steven Jones, and co-owners Wyndell Williams and Dave D'Orio. Here's a peak at the work you will see.


Oil cans by Wyndell Williams.


Wall-mounted organ stemware by Dave D'Orio.


Jelly fish pendant light by Mike Showalter.

Art-O-Matic is up until June 15.
Hours: Wed-Thu, 5pm-10pm; Fri-Sat, noon-2am; Sun, noon-10pm; closed Mon-Tue
For directions and a full schedule of events including musical shows, poetry readings, and dance performances visit www.artomatic.org

Post written by VWStudios