I am honored to have been selected to participate in #ArtHappensHere, a temporary mural/banner effort organized by Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County to bring local artists’ ideas to public places. My proposal featuring my abstract painting got selected and turned out great – literally and figuratively – as it got printed on a 10x10’ banner by Image360, a print shop in Kensington, MD, where I live and work. My artwork is now featured at the National Capital Trolley Museum in Silver Spring, MD. Let’s take a look at this fun community-building project!
The original artwork is a 14x10” abstract acrylic painting on yupo called “One Wild Precious Life,” which is a line from Mary Oliver’s poem, ‘The Summer Day’. It’s all about positive energy and celebrating being alive. And isn’t that exactly what art can bring to us and our communities?
I took a section of this artwork and created a square piece to fit the required banner specifications. The piece brings the joy of creativity out in colors, shapes, and textures. I enjoy its vibrancy. I am thankful to Sierra Smith, public art & communications coordinator of Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County, who organized the call for art, reviewed submitted proposals with her team, and worked with the selected artists to bring their ideas out to communities around the county.
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Working with Marsha Kaiser, of the Museum, has been a lovely experience. We met to assess the space and located a wall in the main hall to display the banner. My husband Jordan and I picked up the banner from Image360. Chris Samford, client relations manager, was so helpful and friendly; I highly recommend this business if you have any signage needs. Marsha, my husband, and I, hung the banner up (high up!) and enjoyed our time together while chatting about the Museum’s restoration efforts. You must see the amazing trolleys from several countries around the world!
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To see my artwork (in display through September 2021) and visit this cool Museum, please stop by Saturdays (noon-5pm) at 1313 Bonifant Rd, Silver Spring, MD 20905. Thanks again to the Arts & Humanities Council of Montgomery County and National Capital Trolley Museum for this unique opportunity. I have had a blast!
