News

MuralsDC Kicks Off

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 25, 2008 DC Commission On The Arts & Humanities

Contact: Rachel Dickerson, Public Art Manager.
(202) 727-5820

MursalsDC Kick off- New Way To Combat Graffiti

WHAT: Did you know the District of Columbia spends over a million dollars a year using three crews to clean up graffiti? MuralsDC has been created to replace illegal graffiti with artistic works, to revitalize sites within communities in the District of Columbia and to teach young people the art of aerosol painting.

The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (DCCAH) in collaboration with the Executive Office of the Mayor (EOM), and the DC Department of Public Works (DPW) began this initiative to positively engage the District’s youth by teaching proper art techniques, providing supplies, and a legal means for them to practice and perform their skill in a way that promotes community awareness and respect for public and private property. Funding for this program was made possible through the Council of the District of Columbia’s Committee on Public Works, chaired by Councilmember Jim Graham (D-Ward 1).

The Midnight Forum, Inc., a D.C. based organization that empowers youth through hip-hop, will kickoff MuralsDC by painting at the first site. Celebrity DJ Kool will host the event with special performances by DJ Sixth Sense, Hip-Hop dancers, youth students of The Midnight Forum, Inc. and Words Beats and Life, Inc.

WHEN: July 12, 2008 at 11:00 AM

WHO: Councilmember Graham, DPW Director Bill Howland and DCCAH Director Tony Gittens along with other public officials will speak between 11:00 AM and 11:30 AM followed by entertainment.

WHERE: The kickoff will be held in the parking lot next to Sankofa Books located at 2407 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, D.C. 20001.

HITTIN’ THE STREETS WITH MURALS:

Representatives from the Department of Public Works and the Mayor’s Office of Community Relations and Services will be on hand. Murals will be painted on twelve sites by local area artists and art organizations including: AM Radio, Joel Bergner, Rashad Cuffee, Aniekan Udofia, Centro Nia, City Arts Inc., Latin American Youth Center, The Midnight Forum, and Words Beats and Life. Each mural will reflect the character, culture and history of the individual neighborhood. In order to receive a mural, site owners were required to sign a release form, which is approved by the Department of Public Works.

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