Mix, mingle and meet the artists at Artomatic on Friday, May 16

Ever wonder how artists come up with ideas? Or how they create their sculptures or paintings? Make plans to come out to Artomatic on Friday, May 16, for Meet the Artists Night, when many of this year’s Artomatic participants will be on hand from 7 p.m.–10 p.m. to talk with visitors and show off their works.

This year’s Artomatic has more to see than ever before. Ten floors of work, including ceramics, sculptures, installations, paintings, fiber works, murals and photography are on display, and in many cases, the work is for sale.

Visitors on Meet the Artists Night will be able to sample the fun, creative energy that is Artomatic. A full schedule of free events is planned for Friday, including films, dance, poetry, music and even fire dancing. Live music will kick off at 6 p.m. and run through 1 a.m., with performances by James Stephen Terrell, Movimiento, Collider, DJ Sequoia and others.

Artomatic artists are encouraged to throw a mini-gallery opening in their space on Meet the Artists Night and to be on hand to answer questions about their work. Due to legal restrictions, no outside alcohol is allowed at Artomatic at any time. Both non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages are sold at Artomatic’s first and 11th floor bars.

Bloggers: Join us at Artomatic Saturday, May 17

Do you blog? Then pack up your laptop and come out and meet other D.C.-area bloggers during the spectacular that is Artomatic as we host our first-ever Blogger’s Night.

From 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday, May 17, bloggers can get an inside look at Artomatic, the Washington, D.C.-area’s arts extravaganza. Join your fellow DC-bloggites in the NoMa lounge on Artomatic’s 12th floor for a meet-up and mini-tour.

You’ll have a chance to swap ideas with Artomatic artists, including Erin Antognoli, Michael Auger, Jennifer Beinhacker, Angela Raincatcher, Kerri Sheehan and Jack Whitsitt. If you blog, you’re invited. Pizza (aka blogger fuel) will be provided courtesy of Uno Chicago Grill at Union Station. Free wireless will be available, so you can send your thoughts straight into the blogosphere live from Artomatic.

Blogger’s Night is hosted by photographer (and blogger) Angela Kleis, an Artomatic participant and our very own blogger liaison. Read Angela’s personal invite to bloggers below, and drop her a line at akleis@gmail.com if you need more details.

Blog Artomatic and keep the ‘virus’ alive

Friday, May 16:
The Flights of Fire fire-dancing troupe returns to perform outside from 9 p.m. to 11 p.m., while inside the building there will be a “Night of Comedy” at The SpeakEasy starting at 8pm. 13 comedians will perform back-to-back until closing! Bryson Turner, Mike Blejer, Nick Turner, Jay Hastings, Jason Saenz, Jermaine Fowler, Joyce Rebar, John McBride, Aparna Nancherla, Hampton Yount and more! Plus Meet the Artists Night, where visitors will get to interact with hundreds of artists participating in this year’s event. Attendees can also enjoy live music performed by Movimiento, Mostly Monkee, Pygmy Lush, Collider, Caberet Heaven and other cutting-edge bands.

Saturday, May 17:
Artomatic will host a self-portrait workshop for children and a piñata-making workshop for children and adults on Saturday morning. During the afternoon, everyone can participate in Community Drum Circle! Evening activities include the D.C. Independent Film Festival, a performance by Guy Nyame African Cultural Dance Company, several poetry readings, a special meet-up for bloggers and live music by Circle of Saints, Ephemeral Sun, Fire Wheel, IZZ, American Sinner, Allie & The Krunch, Konduit, Kinetic Element, and others.

Sunday, May 18:
There’s no rest for Artomatic artists and performers who will be offering a mobile-making workshop, poetry readings and live musical performances by Albatross, 7 Door Sedan, play with me, Dan Mazer and Aaron Tidd.

Artomatic is open Wednesdays and Thursdays as well, so be sure to check the Artomatic Web site for schedules for those days. Also on Thursday nights in the NoMa (North of Massachusetts Avenue) neighborhood is the James Bond Film Festival, with free films beginning at dusk. This Thursday’s movie is From Russia With Love. For a schedule of festival movies, visit www.nomabid.org

All Artomatic events are free.
For the full weekend schedule, visit the Artomatic calendar at www.artomatic.org/event. For more on workshops, see www.artomatic.org/2008/workshops, for more information about children’s activities, visit www.artomatic.org/kids.

Friday, May 16
7:30 pm – 8:00 pm
Margaux Delotte-Bennett
Poetry and prose: Margaux will share pieces from her travels in India.

8:00 pm – 8:50 pm
Movimiento
Movimiento is a 10-piece Washington DC-based Latin band, featuring rich vocals, ripping horns, and a hard-driving rhythm section. Movimiento plays primarily salsa, while also delving into cumbia, merengue, and other Latin styles. True to its name, Movimiento keeps audiences moving with energetic dance music, so bring your dancing shoes!

International Outreach
The goal of the International Outreach Initiative is to increase connections between Artomatic and the international community in the D.C. area by reaching out to embassies, international organizations, intercultural groups, etc. You can see our mural on the outside of the education room, on the 7th floor. We have created listings of international events and artists at Artomatic, which we are circulating to the international community in D.C. to highlight the international flair of Artomatic. If you would like to be included in these lists, please help us gather this information by completing the survey at http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.aspx?sm=M_2bJiKfG0G869urkJmo9PfQ_3d_3d
If you are interested in being part of our International Outreach committee, please contact us at international@artomatic.org.

12-5pm, Saturday, June 7 at the Cabaret Stage

Set up and sell your work directly to the public at the Artomatic Marketplace, on Saturday June 7 from 12 to 5 pm at the Cabaret stage. Participation is free for registered Artomatic artists, but space is limited, so sign up early. Each vendor gets an approximately 6x4 foot space. Artists bring their own display materials and handle their own transactions. For more information or to reserve a space, contact Tammy Vitale at tammyvsculptor@hotmail.com.

Here are just a few of the special workshops that are taking place this weekend.

Piñata-making Workshop
Sat May 17 - 12:00pm-2:00pm
Education Room
Teresa Diaz
Teresa Diaz, a native Mexican, will give you the history of piñatas in Mexico and will show you how piñatas are made. Just bring your family and friends and have fun making your own piñata design and take it home with you, or leave it to decorate the education room! Materials will be provided and a donation encouraged!To RSVP, visit www.artomatic.org/kids

Documentation: One key to Establishing the "Worth" of Your Work
Sat May 17 - 1:00pm-2:30pm
Education Room
Aziza Claudia Gibson-Hunter
For more information, check out:gibsonhunterstudio.com

Self-Portrait Workshop for Children
Sat May 17 - 2:30pm-4:00pm
Education Room
Join us as Nina Hamedani and Erkin Ozberk teach children 10 years and older to paint self-portraits.
To RSVP, visit www.artomatic.org/kids

Introduction to Watercolor
Sat May 17 - 4:00pm-6:00pm
Education Room
Anna Glodek
The workshop is intended for people, who never tried watercolor before, but are intrigued by it or for people, who tried it already in a more traditional way (think 18th century England dainty watercolor landscapes) and feel somewhat discouraged by the medium. The goal of the workshop is to show watercolor as an expressive and free-style medium that can make the art creation process exciting and vibrant. While performing a live painting demonstration, the artist will discuss watercolor painting supplies (paints, brushes, paper), painting techniques (glazing and mingling color), color theory (color mixing to avoid mud), and many other tricks to make it work.
For more information contact Anna Glodek 240-683-0311 annaglodekfineart@hotmail.com

Mobile Making Workshop
Sun May 18 - 4:00pm-6:00pm
Education Room
Paul Sikora
Students will learn the two key balance techniques by making their own mobile.
They will learn how playful American sculptor Alexander Calder combined the lessons of an ancient Greek mathematician and circus high-wire acts to create a new art form. The next time they see a mobile in a museum or shop, they will they will understand how it works. You can come as late a half an hour before the workshop's end and still have time to learn the basics and make a mobile.
Paul Sikora's mobiles are on the 9th Floor, northeast corner.