If you're taking the bus during your stay in Arlington, take a moment to enjoy the original artwork and the poems. That's right! Two Arlington programs bring cultural experiences right onto public transportation, via Arlington Transit's ART Buses. Although focused on an earlier exhibit, the video below will give you an idea!
Art on the ART Bus
Taking a bus to an art gallery is hardly new. But placing original artwork on a bus to engage Arlington Transit (ART) riders is a decidedly different route. The 15th Season of the Art On the ART Bus Mobile Gallery launches with paintings based on the inspiring stories of four Arlington entrepreneurs. With Art on the ART Bus signage on the front, the unique ART bus rotates routes daily and features a new exhibit every few months. With the portraits Installed in the overhead advertising panels, each subject has utilized the entrepreneurial services of the award-winning BizLaunch program run by Arlington Economic Development, of which Arlington Cultural Affairs also is a Division. The subjects are: Farah Brunache (Electric Feel); Sheyla Difo (Sheyla’s Luxury Boutique Truck); Robbie Peck (Java Shack); Woyni Tewelde (R.Ph.-Joule Wellness Pharmacy). Arlington-based artist David Amoroso is well known for exploring the aesthetics and energy of popular culture. His strikingly bold and colorful work can be seen each November at the Arlington Arts Center’s Dia de los Muertos celebration and throughout the year at Miss Pixie’s and El Tamarindo in Washington, DC.
Moving Words
Poetry in Arlington is quite literally on the move thanks to the 16th Annual MOVING WORDS Poetry Competition. From April through October, the six winning poets will be printed on colorful placards and displayed prominently inside Arlington Transit’s ART Buses where they will be seen by thousands of riders. Chosen from a field of 417 poems submitted by 166 poets from throughout the DC metropolitan area, the entries were juried by poet, editor and literary curator, Francisco Aragón. A program of Arlington Cultural Affairs Division in partnership with Arlington Transit, the MOVING WORDS Winners Poetry Reading coincides with National Poetry Month. Winning poems are posted on ArlingtonArts.org and will be archived on the Arlington County CommuterPage.com website.
These programs are just two examples of how Arlington Cultural Affairs Division builds community through artistic outreach. While you're here enjoy the art and be part of our community!
Author: Jim Byers