For immediate release: April 25, 2008

Artomatic media contact:
Marina Reiter
202-271-4748
reiter.marina@gmail.com

From an Egyptian tomb to the wonderful world of Oz, about three dozen finalists from the second annual Sunday Source Peeps Diorama Contest held recently by The Washington Post will be on display at this year’s Artomatic.

The newspaper’s 2008 diorama contest drew more than 800 entries from local and regional artists and Peeps lovers. For the second year in a row, Artomatic will be playing host to some of the finalists so that the public can see them up close and in-person.

Dioramas on display at Artomatic will include this year’s contest winner, “The Tomb of Peepankhamun” by Laura Sillers, as well as other finalists, such as “Nightmare in Pink" by Peter Byer, and “The Trojan Peep” by Virginia Haufler.

The dioramas can be viewed anytime during Artomatic regular hours. Visitors will also have a chance to meet the diorama artists and ask them about their inspirations during a special Peeps Party on Saturday, May 31, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. The free event will include Peeps treats, compliments of Just Born, the manufacturers of Peeps.

Kids and families will be able to join into the Peeps fun with a special children’s tour of the dioramas and Peeps diorama-making workshop. The kids events, both of which are free, will be held Saturday, May 31, from noon to 2 p.m. To RSVP for the kids Peeps events, e-mail Fran Atkinson at msazuri@msn.com.

“Peeps are so cute and silly-looking,” said artist Michele Banks, Artomatic Peeps show coordinator and co-chair of the Artomatic Visual Arts Committee. “Any kind of scene you can imagine — from movies, politics or history — just replace the people with Peeps, and it’s instantly new and funny. That’s what makes these dioramas so great.”

To see the slideshow of contest finalists, visit The Washington Post Web site.

The NoMa (north of Massachusetts Avenue) Business Improvement District (BID) will host this year’s Artomatic, which will be held from May 9 through June 15, 2008. As many as 1,000 local and regional artists will exhibit their works on nine floors of the Capitol Plaza I building, located at 1200 First Street, N.E., just one block west of the New York Avenue Metro station, in Washington, D.C.

Held regularly since 1999, Artomatic transforms an unfinished indoor space into an exciting and diverse arts event that is free and open to the public. In addition to displays and sales by hundreds of artists, the event features free films, educational presentations and children’s activities, as well as musical, dance, poetry, theater and other performances.

ARTOMATIC
May 9–June 15
1200 First Street, N.E.,
Washington, D.C.
(New York Avenue Metro station)
Free, but donations accepted

HOURS
Wednesday–Thursdays: 5 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Fridays–Saturdays: Noon to 2 a.m.
Sundays: Noon to 10 p.m.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays

Kids Peeps Events: May 31, Noon-2 p.m.
Peeps Party: May 31, 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.

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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.