The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) is working with local artists to enliven local storefronts during the pandemic.
Art on Vintage Dress Company exterior(image via Crystal City BID)
This is through a new art campaign dubbed #LoveNationalLanding, that aims to highlight the work of area business and local artists across Pentagon City, Crystal City, and Potomac Yard, an area that was collectively branded as "National Landing" when Amazon announced its move into the area. The Crystal City BID was also recently approved for a name change and boundary expansion to encompass the entire rea.
“The initiative kicked off with the unveiling of an array of vibrant artwork featuring sunbursts, blooming flowers, and oversized hearts emboldened with encouraging messages across several storefronts in National Landing,” the BID said in a press release. The BID got their inspiration from Andy Shallal's #PaintTheStorefronts program and neighborhoods across the country that have utilized art to beautify the public realm during the coronavirus crisis.
Working with curator Tom Pipkin, the BID was able to select a lineup of local artists including Cris Clapp Logan, Jeff Huntington aka Jahru, Patrick Owens, Juan Pineda, Erick Ricks, and Chelsea Ritter-Soronsen. Among the businesses getting the artwork include Commonwealth Joe, Enjera, Freddie's Beach Bar, Jaleo, and Los Tios, with more to follow.
“We are thrilled to introduce our #LoveNationalLanding campaign and couldn’t think of a better way to launch this initiative than the painted storefront campaign, which conveys our unwavering support for our small businesses and the vital role that public art plays in our community,” said Tracy Sayegh Gabriel, Crystal City BID president and executive director, in the press release. “As this initiative advances over the course of the month, residents, workers, and visitors can expect to encounter additional bursts of color and messages of encouragement throughout the National Landing area.”
Another muralist team, Brocoloco, has also been enlisted to create vinyl wraps for welcomes boxes and 100 street decals with positive and amusing messages placed around Crystal City.
Charity W. is a professional and skilled writer with a diploma in Mass Communication. When she is not glued to her computer screen, Charity spends her time reading, traveling, and watching movies. She is an expert on Arlington Virginia and keeps current with local events and occurrences.
