Inspirational Architecture in Washington DC

Mar 29, 2019

Each year I get the opportunity to visit Washington D.C. to give a presentation at the Department of Energy for the NEED project. It is always a highlight for me to make this trip which I also combine with a visit to some of the museums and / or monuments. The inspirational architecture in Washington D.C. from the scale to form to meaning brings me so much joy.

African American Museum

My last visit to D.C. I was able to visit the National Museum of African-American History and Culture. What an amazing architectural experience. The path you take through the building takes you through a range of emotion, tells the story of richness and diversity, and highlights some amazing people. It was overwhelming at times. I look forward to returning to spend more time there.

This visit I was a little late getting to town so my time was spent in the shadows of greatness. There is something about scale and perspective in the darkness of night that adds even more to the architecture. Of course I visited the MLK, Jr. Memorial. I wonder what the world would be like if this man was still alive and what we have all missed due to hatred that took him too early.

I also walked the length of the National Mall to visit with Abraham Lincoln. The memorial was alive with young people making one last visit for the day. There was laughter and conversations in this historic structure. In his shadow I am left wondering if there will ever be a true American Statesman that will stand up for what is right instead of what is popular. I wonder what his stance would mean today with so many weapons of mass destruction available. I hope never to have to experience a country that is torn apart by different beliefs putting brother against brother. I hope if we do face such a tragedy we have someone emerge that can lead us to a better future.

Of course the Washington Monument stands as the icon lit at night as a beacon for good. It remains closed for repairs while upgrades are made to improve accessibility. Is this symbolic of the state of our nation currently – well this is not a political blog so I will leave it as a maybe.

It was nice to visit the DOE the following morning to share my thoughts on building science. I so appreciate Mary, Kim, and El for having me back each year and letting me skip the morning traffic. While I could not function in such a densely populated space, it is nice to visit the inspirational architecture in our nations capital once or twice a year.

As always, this event is free and open to everyone, and refreshments will be provided by Gaines Group Architects.

Series Name: An Interlude of Water

Medium: Hand-cut Montage

Artist Statement: “An Interlude of Water

The stillness of a hot, lazy summer evening broken by the laughter of good friends as fishies bite and the sun slowly slips towards the horizon.

The pond collection swirls and twirls like the eddies at the shoreline. Developing slowly to capture the quiet aspects of what creatures could quietly inhabit a pond within the Shenandoah landscape.

The past eight months have been a creative frenzy of exploration, joy, and personal contentment, from envisioning a cohesive grouping of collages that share a color palette to letting my imagination play. The resulting collection has stretched my artistic skills and broadened my perception of interpretation and idea development.

My Process:

Each collage starts as a line drawing, creating a detailed map of the imagery to be included within the work. Moving the drawing to the wooden panel entails many bits of hand-cut paper, acrylic mediums, and acid-free paste. A sticky mess, but it so satisfies the need for detail my brain requires. All papers used are colored with acrylic paint applied with painting tools or a Gelli plate. A lot of time is spent pressing (lever press, heavy books, etc) and drying the glued papers before and after mounting on the wooden surface. Acrylic varnish provides a protective sealant for the completed collage. From concept to finished work, the process takes, on average, four weeks.”

Artist Bio: I’ve always been one to dabble in new trends and techniques. Treading water, seeking the thing that would capture and devour my imagination. In 2018, when life was overwhelming and my soul needed an escape, I fell back in love with collage. Over the intervening eight years, my artistic practice has settled into an obsession, forcing a growth in style and technique with results that personally bring me joy. A relocation to Harrisonburg, Virginia, has allowed me to establish a permanent studio space, adding momentum to my artistic journey.

*Accessibility Note: This building was previously restored from a fire. The elevator shaft is currently not functioning and there is an absence of ramps in the space. Because the show is on the 2nd floor, this may pose an issue for those who have mobility challenges. We are aware of this need and we apologize greatly if this changes your ability to attend.

This event is free and open to everyone. Snacks and refreshments will be served and we look forward to seeing you there!

Each month we host a new artist in our building’s 2nd floor gallery at the Chesapeake Western Depot at 141 W. Bruce St. (second floor entrance is on Chesapeake). Artwork will remain on exhibit through the month. Come view the show anytime and get a tour the Depot!