I’m here to tell you that Washington, DC is a city full of creative people.
It’s a city that’s home to artists, entrepreneurs, and people seeking – and embracing – unique life paths. It’s a place where the famous Cake Love founder Warren Brown traded in a law career to open a bakery. Where Kimberly Wilson, founder of Tranquil Space Yoga in Dupont Circle, started a yoga studio in her living room. Where firemen and government workers alike moonlight as improvisers, where publicists and moms form writing workshops, where hair stylists are percussionists and computer programmers make short films.
I have 3 goals with this blog:
- Help inspire DC residents who haven’t yet tapped into a creative community here,
- Help people learn about creative groups, projects and businesses, and
- Help reshape the mainstream image of DC.
Far too often, I see DC painted as a town full of humorless transients, slaves to dull government jobs; a city devoid of pulse, known so much for its monuments and memorials that it too comes to seem perhaps important, perhaps beautiful, but also untouchable, and lifeless.
For a long time, I bought into these images, and others that were similarly uninspiring. I believed that if I wanted a creative life, I needed to move somewhere more stimulating, like San Francisco or New York. This was partly a product of my 20-something soul searching, and yet, it was a breed of angst that I never heard friends in other cities express. Once I finally discovered creative organizations like Washington Improv Theater, I got so excited – I felt a creative spark, inspired by the work I saw people doing, fulfilled by a sense of connection and belonging. I don’t see a lot of resources in this city geared towards helping foster creative community, so I hope that in some small way, this blog can help play that role.
Are there people, groups, projects or businesses you think I should feature? Let me know.
{ 11 comments… read them below or add one }
The Washington Post had a great article about DC as a creative city a few weeks back. I was one of those surprised residents mentioned here:
Even longtime residents are often surprised to learn that the biggest sector in the local economy is not government, but technology.
Don’t think “technology” like boring wires and computer parts – instead think of the amazing creativity and creative thinking involved in everything from the Internet to MP3 players and everything else “technology” encompasses. Go DC!
Good idea for a blog. Good luck with it.
This is a great idea. I look forward to visiting often.
If you like WIT, there is also an active stand-up comedy scene in the city and the players often overlap. Check out great stand-up and alternative comedy from Rory Scovel, a member of WIT’s Dr. Fantastic at http://www.roryscovel.com. There are plenty of other great stand-ups like Danny Rouhier (www.funnydanny.com) and Jon Mumma (www.jonmumma.com). I’ve performed with these guys, I’ve paid to watch them, and I think anyone who wants to enjoy themselves on a weeknight would be hard-pressed to find a better time.
There are plenty of creative things coming out of the city, especially now, and I look forward to getting info from here.
I first saw this link in today’s DC Blogs post – I knew it was you before I clicked on it! Go get ‘em, tigress!!
I suppose the only thing I’d mention at this point is to remember that creativity in DC isn’t limited to the arts. There are also a number of us who want to infuse our creative skills into community investment, which in turn will likely feed back into, or partner with, the arts. Obviously I’m thinking of my projects, including Fihankra Akoma Ntoaso / FAN. Mark and I will looking closely at a possible future partnership b/w WIT and FAN.
Oh, and just from my blog/community contacts, take a peek at Scenic Artisan and his links, as well as shoofly and her links.
And don’t forget to link back to multitudes. Yay, you!
Thanks for the links, Andy. I actually perform with an improv troupe called Jinx, directed by one of WIT’s players, Zack Phillips. You can check out our embarassingly weak Web site here.
hi there. i wanted to first say thanks for mentioning my paintings at flashpoint on your blog! that is awesome. (cara ober) i wanted to let you know about a show i am curated at the dc arts center – the jolly cowboy – it opens next friday- so march the 16. http://www.dcartscenter.org for more info.
i very recently started a blog for art happenings in and around baltimore – we don’t really have much of that here – so if possible, give us a shout out on your links:http://bmoreart.blogspot.com.
word.
Hi Amanda, my name is Beth and I’m the ArtBank coordinator for the DC commission on the Arts and Humanities. I’m writing to art-focused blogs in DC that I like to let them know about a new program I’m starting, here’s the press release on it, if you’d like to join us, or help spread the word!
Thanks!
Beth
At 12 p.m. on Wednesday September 26, the public is invited to the Wilson Building for a guided tour through the City Hall public collection of art on permanent display on floors 1-5 of the Wilson building. The tour will be lead by local artist Sondra N. Arkin, curator to the collection of over 170 pieces.
This is a unique chance to meet with local artists featured in the collection and have a discussion on being an artist in the Nation’s Capitol and to see a rich cross section of local artists (both established and emerging). This will be a bi-monthly occurrence.
The tour is free, however advanced registration for the series is preferred. Please RSVP to beth.baldwin@dc.gov with the number in your party. Meet at the Pennsylvania Avenue entrance — the building is located at 1350 Pennsylvania Ave NW. ID is required to enter the building.
Dina Knight, Cheryl Hill and I are interviewing attendees, panelists and trade show exhibitors at SXSW for http://geeknewscentral.com and http://austincast.com/sxsw. I see that you’re going to SXSW. Geek News Central was a big hit on itunes with it’s coverage of CES in Las Vegas this year.
Would you be willing to do a skype or phone interview with us online now and then do a video interview at SXSW? My skype name is walhus. Phone is 512.699.4000. The video would appear on both of the above mentioned sites.
If this is ok, send your contact phone and skype to walhus@gmail.com with a suggested time to call or skype you.
This is a sample of an interview I did today with Jim Crews via skype.
http://www.austincast.com/blog/?p=134
Thanks,
Paul Terry Walhus
512.699.4000 cellphone
skype: walhus
http://austincast.com/sxsw
http://geeknewscentral.com
http://justin.tv/austintexas/
http://twitter.com/springnet – add me
Hey Amanda! What a cool site. I just subscribed so I can keep my finger on the pulse of DC’s creative goings-on. Thanks for coming to the Vijai Nathan’s show on Friday. Hope you liked it. Please let folks know that SpeakeasyDC’s storytelling open mic is a great creative outlet, too. See you back on stage soon, I hope.
Hooray! I just found your blog. How did I not find it sooner?
Keep up the good work!
Sacha
http://goinggreendc.wordpress.com