Members

Washington Arts Group

Since 1977 we have worked to encourage professionalism in the arts, the connection of art to the life and faith of communities nationally and internationally, and the development of Washington, D.C. as a viable arts center. Our participating artists come from a broad spectrum of disciplines: architecture, dance, drama, film, journalism, music, poetry/creative writing, sculpture, theatre and visual arts. While Christian in our foundation and mission, we do not align ourselves with any single Christian denomination. Our current areas of concentration are Washington, D.C. and St. Petersburg, Russia. We publish a newsletter 2-4 times a year and regularly send special reports on projects to members and affiliates. When finished, our new website will display information on our history and events. In 1991 we presented the first international exhibition of contemporary sacred art in St. Petersburg, Russia, after the fall of the U.S.S.R., to raise funds for local orphans. In 1996 we organized the first joint Jewish-Christian art display in Jerusalem, Israel, to bring unity to the city. In 1998 we mounted Anacostia, A Place of Spirit in the streets of Anacostia (Washington, D.C.) to promote reconciliation in our city through the positive portrayal of this often disregarded inner city area. Washington, D.C.’s Union Station invited us to display an expanded version, Hope in Our City: Anacostia, A Place of Spirit, in their halls for Black History Month, February 1999. An estimated 1.4 million people viewed Hope in Our City. In May 2003, a version of this exhibition will travel to St. Petersburg for its 300th anniversary. We regularly involve artists, clergy, educators and civic leaders in discussions on the role of the arts in worship and society. Notable examples include the Tinkers in the Toy Shop (1989, 1991) conferences (each attracted over 250 artists, architects, journalists, musicians, performers, etc.) and national and international conferences of Christian journalists (1992, 1996, 1997). We have also worked to expose audiences to the performing arts who are usually financially excluded from performance halls. In 1984 and 1985 we invited actor Tom Key to give benefit performances of C.S. Lewis on Stage at the John F. kennedy Center for the Performing Arts Terrace Theatre. We believe that the hope for the future rests with the next generation. In 1994 we reached out to inner-city children in D.C. by collaborating with the Corcoran School of Art and the John F. kennedy Center for the Performing Arts to bring Mukulu, an Ugandan singing/dancing troupe to 6 churches, 6 public and 2 private scholls, American university, D.C.’s Dance palace, and the Bowen YMCA. Recently, we designed a research program on classical culture and religious liberty in American democracy with Harvard University’s Center for hellenic Studies and the Freedom Forum’s First Amendment Center for St. Petersburg State University student Ilya Ivanova (winter 2002). On january 19, 2002, we hosted an Ethiopian icon workshop for over 24 Anacostia elementary school children.
Country:United States of America
Adress:P.O. Box 39223
20016 WASHINGTON D.C.
Website:http://www.washingtonartsgroup.org
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