SHAW: New Art Installation Coming to City Market at O - And Its Spectacular and Huge

Every so often I am amazed by what is going on in Shaw and DC - This is one of those times. Roadside Development (who developed City Market at O) along with Shaw Main Streets and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities have commissioned a large art installation, that will encompass P Street NW, between 7th and 8th Streets. That's 120 Feet Long by 16 Feet High and created by renown sculpture Zachary Oxman.(take a moment to check out his work) The art installation, titled "Symphony in DC Major"  will pay homage to the "prolific composer and jazz musician, and DC native Edward “Duke” Ellington; neighborhood namesake and abolitionist Union Army Colonel Robert Gould Shaw; and renowned American Expressionist painter and Shaw Junior High School art teacher, Alma Thomas, whose paintings are exhibited as a part of the collections in the White House and museums around the world." 

Here is the Press Release in its entirety;

ROADSIDE DEVELOPMENT DEBUTS A LANDMARK PUBLIC ARTWORK IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE DC COMMISSION ON THE ARTS & HUMANITIES, SHAW MAIN STREETS AND ARTIST ZACHARY OXMAN

A Modern Homage to Local Greats: City Market at O Designates Entire City Block To Energize Shaw Streetscape

Roadside Development, LLC, (Roadside), the Washington, D.C.-based development company, announces the unveiling of a new public art installation at its City Market at O project in the historic Shaw neighborhood. Titled “Symphony in DC Major,” and created by renowned sculptor Zachary Oxman, the work will be one of the largest works of public outdoor art in the city.

The public is invited to the official unveiling and celebration of the artwork with the artist and special guests 6PM to 8PM on June 11th. Following the unveiling, Long View Gallery will host an open reception to kick off a month-long solo exhibition of Oxman’s works at the Shaw-based gallery.

Roadside Development commissioned Mr. Oxman, a native Washingtonian and internationally acclaimed artist, to create an original artwork celebrating Shaw that would engage the community and tell its storied history to the nation. The art installation will activate an entire block along the south side of P Street, NW between 7th and 8th Streets and will measure 125 feet long and 16 feet high. Through a collaborative partnership with Shaw Main Streets and the DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities, the artwork is partially funded through the Public Art Building Communities grant program.

“Our goal was to commission a unique work of art that would honor, inspire and connect our community and its impressive historical roots,” said Richard Lake, Founding Partner of Roadside. This contemporary artistic landmark will add another vibrant layer to City Market at O’s diverse mix of uses, including the nationally-registered, historic O Street Market and complementary residential, retail, and hotel buildings in a visual dialogue that spans centuries.

“Zachary Oxman’s powerful work invites DC residents and visitors to celebrate Shaw through a unique artistic experience,” said Lisa Richards Toney, Interim Director of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities. “Shaw is a prime example of the exciting renaissance that’s possible when neighbors work together to build the kind of environment in which they want to live, work, shop, play, pray, and learn,“ said Alexander Padro, Executive Director of Shaw Main Streets. “Oxman’s iconic artwork will help make Shaw even more of a go-to destination for DC residents, businesses, and visitors alike for years to come.”

“Symphony in DC Major” will portray three historic figures that have made an enormous impact on not only the Shaw neighborhood, but also the entire city of Washington, D.C. and beyond: prolific composer and jazz musician, and DC native Edward “Duke” Ellington; neighborhood namesake and abolitionist Union Army Colonel Robert Gould Shaw; and renowned American Expressionist painter and Shaw Junior High School art teacher, Alma Thomas, whose paintings are exhibited as a part of the collections in the White House and museums around the world. The sculptural portraits will be abstracted with deconstructed elements and varying surface treatments that will reveal differing images depending on the angle at which the art is viewed.

"Zachary Oxman's artwork will be the most unique public art experience in Washington, helping to catalyze greater community engagement by enriching the eye, mind, and spirit of all its beholders," said Drew Porterfield, Gallery Director of Long View Gallery. "As an outstanding community partner, Roadside has helped further our longstanding mission to revitalize Shaw through the powerful medium of art, enabling a gallery without walls to come to life."

Asked to reflect upon his composition, Oxman explains, 

“I was inspired to portray the essence of these extraordinary individuals who have made significant contributions to the social, political, and cultural fabric of our great city and beyond. Their legacy continues to uniquely inspire and empower greatness in all of us with vibrant stories that need to be shared and kept alive.”

So hold on to your hat's Shaw/DC, add the date into your calendars, and make sure to visit Shaw's newest piece of art (make a point of visiting even if you cannot make the unveiling)

Location of new art installation at 7th & P Street NW

 More on this shortly, here at Badwolfdc