Sign up to stay connected
Get the top stories of the day around the DMV.
Calling all visual artists! Artomatic is back in a virtual format from July 20-Aug. 20.
Visual artists are encouraged to submit their work for consideration for the upcoming event. Due to the coronavirus pandemic, the 20th-anniversary celebration of “Artomatic 2.0: A Virtual Experience” will be an online platform to showcase the work of many art forms. Visual artists can register at www.artomatic.org/register.
The formal virtual opening of Artomatic 2.0 will take place on July 21.
“Visual artists of all experience levels are welcome,” said Natalie Graves Tucker, Artomatic executive director. “Artist registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. We have set the registration as pay-what-you-can with a $20 suggested donation in recognition of Artomatic’s 20th anniversary.”
Visual artists will each have their own artist page on Artomatic’s website with their biography, social media, and website links to images to display and sell their work through individual pay channels. Visual art categories include 2-D Visual Artist (painting, glass, fiber, drawing, photography, etc.), and Installation and Sculpture. Each artist receives an artist toolkit to promote their Artomatic 2.0 participation and individual page.
The virtual Artomatic 2.0 stage will also feature workshops and creatives of all types such as actors, spoken word artists, magicians, pole dancers, and other art forms. The workshops and performances are already confirmed.
Artomatic has established space for artist’s response to Black Lives Matter and recent political protests.
“We are thrilled to be able to give back to the community and see what amazing things we can accomplish given the circumstances,” said Artomatic Co-President Olivia Garcia. “We asked our artist community how we could help through a survey and a majority asked for a virtual show.”
Artomatic was founded in 1999 by George Koch, The free event is well-known for transforming empty spaces into innovative arts communities and for creating unique environments for tens of thousands of guests. Artomatic has been on a break since its last festival in 2017 held in Crystal City, Va.
“In founding Artomatic, artists and creators came together with their ‘sweat equity’ to create an opportunity where we could all be seen, be heard and be experienced,” Koch said. “As artists and creators, we will always have judgments made about our work. Artomatic does not make any judgments on an individual’s work so we can all be seen, be heard and be experienced.”
Artomatic has been honored with the Mayor’s Arts Award for Special Recognition and for Innovation in the Arts by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
For more information, go to www.artomatic.org.