Alexandria Arts Forum and the Alexandria Commission for the Arts Celebrate Summer

On Thursday, July 15th, Fort Ward was besieged by the Alexandria Arts Forum and the Alexandria Commission for the Arts. The annual picnic allowed for informal interaction between city council members, artists, commission members and members of the Alexandria Arts Forum.  For those who showed up, there was cold wine and lemonade, fried chicken and a savory array of salads. Dessert ranged from cookies and watermelon to ice cream cake. (I brought a summer blueberry pie, my mother's recipe). The real food however was in the exchange of creative ideas and the sharing of concerns.

I enjoyed meeting new and old faces and discussing the need for more collaboration between artists. In one conversation the possibility of having an edgier, creative space on the West End was raised, perhaps in a warehouse or vacant mall space, a place where creation as well as performance could take place, large enough for dance and installations, but also a place where the public could gather for informal poetry slams/open mics/arts showcases featuring photography, dance, film...a space for experimentation.

I had a couple of conversations in which the lack of creative space for teens was discussed. Kudos to Convergence for making headway in this direction. Where can creative teens gather to be among themselves, where they won't be judged by adults around them and where they can be safe? The school/rec center umbrella is often perceived as too limiting and bureaucratic. What is the arts scene in Alexandria doing to reach out to younger generations in general? Is the art in the city addressing the issues and concerns of residents in their teens, twenties and thirties? I don't know what the answer to that question is, but based on recent conversations I am sensing that there is something missing and that this may be something to strive for.

I was happy to share with a number of people, my progress in making a slam team in Alexandria a possibility. Regie Cabico, a nationally revered spoken word artist and the organizing figure behind the DC Youth Slam Team, is eager to help get a team going in Alexandria.

All-in-all there was much to celebrate. These conversations were upbeat and encouraging! Let's celebrate summer! And thank you Alexandria Arts Forum and the Alexandria Commission on the Arts for providing an informal opportunity to mingle and connect.

To see the summer poem that accompanied my blueberry pie (and that I was later asked to read) go to POEMS.