For immediate release: April 7, 2008

NoMa BID media contact: Leslie Braunstein, 703-234-7762

WHEN: Thursday, April 10, 11 a.m.
WHERE: Capitol Plaza I, 1200 First Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20002

On Thursday, April 10, we are giving you a behind-the-scenes preview of this year's Artomatic in NoMa — the biggest Artomatic ever!

In partnership with the NoMa Business Improvement District, Artomatic will transform 200,000 square feet of unfinished building space into an extravaganza of creative expression. From May 9 through June 15, some 50,000 people are expected to visit galleries with the works of 1,000 artists; free musical, dance and theater performances; holiday celebrations; films; educational presentations and much more.

Don't miss this look at our "blank canvas" with "sneak previews" of some Artomatic highlights — and be the first to "make your mark" on Artomatic's huge interactive mural.

Also, save the date for our Pre-Opening Media Lunch and Art Tour on Friday, May 9, at 11 a.m., Capitol Plaza I, 1200 First Street, N.E., Washington, DC 20002

On Friday, May 9, come back for an exclusive pre-opening media tour of the Artomatic galleries before they open to the public at 3:00 p.m. You'll have the opportunity to meet and interview the area's most cutting-edge artists and performers while enjoying a delicious lunch.

To RSVP for either event, visit http://www.nomabid.org/artomatic/.

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About Artomatic: Artomatic is a creative community that collaborates to produce and present a free arts spectacular. Participation is open to all, from recognized artists to undiscovered talents, who work in a variety of arts forms. In partnership with the development community, Artomatic transforms unused building space into a playground for expression, serves as a catalyst for community growth in up-and-coming neighborhoods, and helps to grow our creative economy. The nonprofit Artomatic organization is headed by a volunteer Board of Directors and is funded in part by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, an agency supported by the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information, visit www.artomatic.org.

About the NoMa BID: NoMa is an emerging mixed-use neighborhood north of the U.S. Capitol and Union Station in Washington, D.C. Private developers have invested almost $2 billion in 2007–2008 alone, with plans to develop more than 20 million square feet of office, residential, hotel, and retail space in the 35-block area covered by the NoMa BID over the next 10 years. For more information about the BID, including an interactive development map, see the BID Web site at www.nomabid.org.