For immediate release: April 29, 2008

Artomatic media contact: Marina Reiter, 202-271-4748
NoMa BID media contact: Leslie Braunstein, 703-234-7762

Artomatic opening day is Friday, May 9

There’s less than two weeks until opening day for Artomatic 2008, and excitement is building for the arts spectacular of the summer. With more than 100 free events, activities and performances planned over 28 days and nights May 9–June 15, Artomatic is a can’t-miss attraction.

Presented in collaboration with the NoMa (North of Massachusetts Avenue) Business Improvement District (BID), Artomatic 2008 is expected to attract more than 50,000 visitors during its five-week run. The event will be held on 10 floors — more than 200,000 square feet — of the Capitol Plaza I building. The building is located at 1200 First Street, N.E., just one block west of the New York Avenue Metro station, in Washington, D.C.

Held regularly since 1999, Artomatic is the Washington, D.C., area's one-of-a-kind multimedia event. More than 1,000 artists — including about 700 visual artists and 300 performers — have already signed up to take part in Artomatic, and registration is still open for performers.

“We will be putting on quite a show this year, and as our largest event ever, Artomatic will be an event that no one will want to miss,” said Veronica Szalus, Artomatic president. “It’s a good thing Artomatic will be open for weeks, as visitors will want to come again and again.”

From paintings, sculptures and photography to music, film, dance and other performances, visitors to Artomatic 2008 will have a wealth of attractions to choose from. Special events will include Meet the Artists Night on Friday, May 16, where visitors can mix and mingle with Artomatic participants, as well as socials and an art-themed fashion show.

Free children’s activities will be held every Saturday beginning at noon, including kids tours, mobile-making and a diorama workshop. Artomatic will also include educational arts workshops for adults, such as sessions on collecting art, grant writing and drawing.

Other highlights of Artomatic 2008 will include:
• a Victorian tattoo parlor, built entirely on site;
• a one-day marketplace;
• comedy, theater and fire dance performances;
• films and poetry readings;
• performances by dozens of local bands on two stages;
• Artist Socials on Sunday, May 18, and Thursday, June 12;
• a community blood drive on May 10; and
• food sales by On the Fly and Thursday pizza nights in conjunction with Papa John’s.

“As host to both Artomatic and the James Bond Film Festival, NoMa will be Washington, D.C.’s premier neighborhood for free arts and entertainment this summer,” said Elizabeth Price, president of the NoMa BID.

Artomatic will once again be hosting finalists from the Sunday Source Peeps Diorama Contest held by The Washington Post, and visitors will be able to meet the diorama-makers during a special Peeps Party on Saturday night, May 31.

Also of interest to Artomatic visitors will be the wide array of visual artwork on display on nine floors, including ceramics, sculptures, installations, paintings, fiber works, photography and murals. Artomatic is unique in that it is an inclusive and open art event, showcasing works from a range of performers and artists — from emerging artists showing their works for the first time to longtime professionals established on the art scene. Visitors can browse Artomatic and discover new artwork and — in most cases — buy the art that’s on display.

For about three months, volunteers have been working to transform vacant floors at the Capitol Plaza I building into an arts space. The building, designed by renowned architect Shalom Baranes and owned by an affiliate of The Polinger Company, was newly completed, so Artomatic organizers had to get creative and build temporary display “walls.” They also strung lights and power cords to illuminate the space. In total, the work included about two miles of string lighting, 100 pounds of screws and 250 plugs and outlets — all of which was installed thanks to 100 volunteers and 1,000 labor hours donated by Miller & Long.

“It takes an army of artists to get Artomatic up and running, and this year we are particularly grateful to the dedicated volunteers — as well as our partners and sponsors — who helped transform this space,” said Jim Tretick, a member of Artomatic’s Board of Directors. “It is amazing how much we’ve been able to accomplish in such a short amount of time. It’s really come together.”

For a full list of all Artomatic activities, visit the online event calendar at www.artomatic.org/event. The site also contains a catalog of artists taking part in Artomatic with images of their work as well as videos and music from performers.

For directions and hours, call the Artomatic infoline at 202-339-9007. Visitors are strongly encouraged to take Metro to Artomatic.

Press images: Hi-res images of work by Artomatic artists are available for use by the media. For a password to the Artomatic press images Web page, e-mail Marina Reiter at reiter.marina@gmail.com.

ARTOMATIC
May 9–June 15
1200 First Street, N.E.,
(Corner of First and M Streets)
Washington, D.C.
(New York Avenue Metro station: Red line)
Free, but donations accepted

HOURS
Wednesday–Thursdays: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Fridays–Saturdays: Noon to 2 a.m.
Sundays: Noon to 10 p.m.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

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About Artomatic: Artomatic is a creative community that collaborates to produce and present a free arts spectacular. Participation is open to all, from recognized artists to undiscovered talents, who work in a variety of arts forms. In partnership with the development community, Artomatic transforms unused building space into a playground for expression, serves as a catalyst for community growth in up-and-coming neighborhoods, and helps to grow our creative economy. The nonprofit Artomatic organization is headed by a volunteer Board of Directors and is funded in part by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit www.artomatic.org.

About the NoMa BID: NoMa is an emerging mixed-use neighborhood north of the U.S. Capitol and Union Station in Washington, D.C. Private developers have invested over $1 billion in 2007–2008 alone, with plans to develop more than 20 million square feet of office, residential, hotel, and retail space in the 35-block area covered by the NoMa BID over the next 10 years. For more information about the BID, including an interactive development map, see the BID Web site at www.nomabid.org.