Artomatic media contact: Marina Reiter, 202-271-4748
NoMa BID media contact: Leslie Braunstein, 703-234-7762

For immediate release: May 27, 2008

Didn’t make it to the Indianapolis 500 this weekend? Then come out to Artomatic on Sunday and cheer on your favorite race-car “driver” during the first-ever Artomatic 500.

With cardboard cars, enthusiastic artists and Artomatic’s trademark colorful creativity, the Artomatic 500 race promises to be a zany, fun-filled event.

Artomatic 500 participants — all of whom are artists in this year’s Artomatic in Washington, D.C. — will strap on their homemade, decorated cardboard vehicles, line up at the starting line and then run like crazy. The event is a cross between the Indianapolis 500 and an art car parade, “just without actual cars," according to race organizer Sal Ferro, co-chair of Artomatic’s Marketing and Development Committee.

"Our vehicles won't have any engines or wheels, but they will be loud anyway,” Ferro said. "And you don't have to go all the way to Indiana or Texas to enjoy them.”

Spectators, cheerleaders and pit crews are welcome to attend the race, which will be held Sunday, June 1, at 2 p.m. just outside the Artomatic building.

Among the rules for the race, all cars must be made primarily of cardboard and no engines of any kind allowed. Winners will be determined by a judging team using points based on “some combination of garishness and ingenuity yet to be determined,” according to Ferro. The event will include a five-lap main event, a drag race and some surprises.

For more information on the Artomatic 500, e-mail Ferro at ferro.sal@gmail.com.

This year’s Artomatic is hosted by the NoMa Business Improvement District (BID). Up to 1,000 local and regional artists are exhibiting their works and performing on 10 floors (more than 200,000 square feet) of the Capitol Plaza I building at 1200 First Street, N.E.

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.

For a full list of all Artomatic activities, visit the online event calendar at www.artomatic.org/event. The site also contains a catalog of artists taking part in Artomatic with images of their work as well as videos and music from performers.

For directions and hours, call the Artomatic infoline at 202-339-9007. Visitors are strongly encouraged to take Metro to Artomatic.

ARTOMATIC
May 9–June 15
1200 First Street, N.E.,
(Corner of First and M Streets)
Washington, D.C.
(New York Avenue Metro station: Red line)
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

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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 over $1 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.