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Crystal City Takes Art Underground

Crystal City Takes Art Underground

The Crystal City Business Improvement District Launches
Destination for Artists and Art Lovers: Galleries, Theaters, Studios and More

“Art Underground” Launches on Saturday Evening, March 16, 2013

CRYSTAL CITY, VA — The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID), in partnership with Vornado/Charles E. Smith and the Arlington Artists Alliance (AAA), is transforming five blocks of Crystal City’s interior retail space into a vibrant arts and cultural destination with galleries, studios, interactive exhibits and activities, performance and classroom spaces, and a host of special events. This effort will create a powerful new incubator for the arts that will further activate and support Crystal City businesses and retail by attracting additional exposure, visitation, business and opportunities.

Art Underground is a collection of arts programming that will initially include:

• Studios Underground: an outlet for local artists to create, practice and showcase their talents while providing an engaging cultural experience for area residents, employees, visitors and guests.

• Gallery Underground (formerly the Northern Virginia Art Center): a showcase of original artwork by regional artists with monthly rotating exhibits to excite the imagination, stimulate creativity, and encourage repeat visitation.

• FotoWalk Underground: in partnership with FotoDC, FotoWalk is a yearlong, 1000-foot, 150-image gallery that changes every six months.

• Synetic Theater: the premier American physical theater, fusing dynamic art forms – such as text, drama, movement, acrobatics, dance and music.

• Special Events: Art Underground will host and present ongoing activities and events, including monthly ArtJamz sessions.

“The launch of Art Underground celebrates and transforms Crystal City’s interior assets into a premiere arts and culture venue,” said Crystal City BID President/CEO Angela Fox. “We began this project as a series of small and large changes to our interior retail experience and this will roll all of that work together into a much larger vision for what Crystal City can be and do for the rest of the area. This experience is poised to be a regional draw for artists, art lovers and audiences of all kinds.”

Art Underground will celebrate its launch on Saturday, March 16 with an open house and free mega paint-off hosted by ArtJamz from 6pm – 10pm at 2100 Crystal Drive. This event will be an energetic opportunity for the public to get a taste of Art Underground with music, beverages, and snacks.

For more information about Art Underground, please visit www.crystalcity.org.

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About the Crystal City Business Improvement District
The Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) is a public-private partnership established in April 2006 to promote the vibrant Crystal City business, retail, restaurant and residential community. The BID is committed to showcasing the area as a world-class destination for visitors, employees and residents. Crystal City is ACTIVE, ARTFUL, ACCESSIBLE, and GREEN. For more information, visit www.crystalcity.org.

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