Take Part in Art with the Arlington Art Truck

Painted by mural artist Stephen Powers for Arlington Cultural Affairs, this colorful truck is an exciting initiative that brings art into the community and inspires people to be more creative in their everyday lives. 

With a generous grant from National Endowment for the Arts, the Arlington Art Truck is transforming Arlington at a variety of free, weekly events. Blending the spontaneity of a classic ice cream truck and the interactivity of a pop-up shop, the Arlington Art Truck can take a small and otherwise ordinary space like a sidewalk, street, or park, and turn it into an extraordinary and unique art experience. 

The Arlington Art Truck features innovative, commissioned projects from local artists based in Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C, as well as works by visiting artists from around the country. These artists join the Arlington Art Truck at every event, allowing visitors to engage to with both art and artists. 

The first Arlington Art Truck installation is Bipedal Soundscapes, a sound art invention by Emily Francisco and Alex Braden. Bipedal Soundscapes is a stationary bicycle that powers five turntables at once. Depending on the speed of the cyclist, the music of vinyl records emits a cacophony of different noises. Riders of all ages can hop on the bike and “ride a sculpture,” making them an artist, too. Bipedal Soundscapes will appear June 2 at the Make Your Mark Maker’s Fair in Arlington’s Shirlington neighborhood, in front of New District Brewing Co.

On June, July and August dates, see Going Native: Flora and Fauna of Arlington, Virginia. Created and illustrated by artist Kate Samworth, Going Native is a folding, pocket-sized manual of some of Arlington’s native plant, mammal, and insect species. Using Samworth’s artwork as a reference, enjoy a quick hands-on art project examining and recreating the shapes and patterns found on selected species of plants, insects, and butterflies by using collage, watercolor and drawing. Doing this project will help participators identify local species and the ecosystems they support.

Look out for the Arlington Art Truck during your next stay! Event details and Arlington Art Truck schedule are available on the Arlington Arts website. Follow the Arlington Art Truck on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest appearances and updates.

-Special thanks to contributors Cynthia Connolly, Special Projects Curator, Arlington Art Truck, and Caroline Weinroth, Arlington Art Truck Assistant