Artomatic in the making: picked a space!

Today I picked out my space at ARTOMATIC! A lovely, light-filled corner on the 9th floor.

I need your help to fill it with messages of LOVE. Stop by my studio in Hyattsville from 3 to 6 pm TODAY to craft a message or pop one in the mail.

Help Share Some Love

You are loved.

As I was reading The Autobiography of Martin Luther King, Jr., I was struck by the words in its preface, “I believe firmly that love is a transforming power [that] can lift a whole community to new horizons of fair play, goodwill, and justice.”

As I think about my community, what it means to be a citizen locally, nationally and globally, and how I can use what I have to be the change I want to see, I keep coming back to love.

It’s both a complex and incredibly simple thing. And one simple thing I can do is to share more love with my neighbors. I invite you to join me.  

What I'm doing:

This spring Artomatic, an unjuried event showcasing creative work from a variety of mediums, will be held in Crystal City, Va. I'm dedicating my space this year to messages of love. With your help, I'd like to share the message "You are loved" in as many languages, mediums and ways that we can. My hope is that anyone viewing the display will find at least one message that resonates with them.

How you can get involved:

I'm collecting your messages. While the submission deadline has passed, I will do my best to have up at opening any submission received by March 15. Interested in taking part, but can't make the deadline, please reach out.

Guidelines for submissions:

  • Max size of 5 inches x 3 inches (this is the size of a standard index card). They can be smaller if you'd like. Submissions can be oriented vertically or horizontally.
  • Any medium is welcome as are both 2-D and 3-D submissions.
  • Submissions by all ages welcome.
  • The words or imagery should convey the message that "you are loved" in a way that is culturally, linguistically, visually, artistically (in any way) relevant to you. All languages welcome.
  • Submissions may be submitted anomalously. If you would like to be acknowledged for submitting a piece, please indicate how you would like to be credited when you make your submission (name, social media handle, etc.). I don't anticipate being able to list names next to each piece, but, for those who choose to be acknowledged, I will provide a listing of contributors in the display space and here on the website.
  • Please mail your submissions to: Beth Hess, c/o DC GlassWorks, 5346 46th Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781.

Details:

  • Please assume that your submission will NOT be returned. Artomatic is a large, public event run by volunteers. While steps are in place to ensure the security off all work, I can't guarantee the security of pieces displayed. Depending on response, I may also try to find additional ways to share submissions after Artomatic ends.
  • I cannot provide compensation (beyond my heartfelt thanks) for submissions.
  • I'd love to send you a personal thank you for your submission. So, if you are comfortable doing so, please include your email or mailing address with your submission (I will not share your contact information with others).
  • This project is inspired by tiny affirmations from the You Are So Very Beautiful" Craftivism project.

Questions? Please reach out!

Below are examples of messages crafted in the past few months:

Handmade for the Holidays

Want to shop blown glass in the warmth and glow of a glass furnace? You're in luck!

On Saturday, December 10, I'm one of seven glassmakers taking part in the annual DC GlassWorks Studio Artist Holiday Sale. The studio will be open 1:00 to 5:00 pm and you can shop a variety of blown glass bowls, vases, sculpture, ornaments and lots more.

Bonus: while you are there you can spend some time in my craft studio crafting up some love to share with our neighbors. Bonus, Bonus: This is the first stop on your Highlight Hyattsville for the Holidays tour and there is lots more to explore!

Save the Date: December Community Craft Party

I was going to switch up the theme for our next Craft Party, but honestly, sharing a message of love with the community seems more important then ever now.

So, please save the date for December 10 and join us to craft up some love! Bonus: this party takes place during the annual Holiday Sale at DC GlassWorks (which is the studio we call home), so you'll be able to meet a great community of artists and shop blown glass bowls, vases, sculpture, ornaments and lots more.

Details:

When: December 10, 1:00 - 5:00 pm
Where: 5346 46th Avenue, Hyattsville, MD 20781

What we're crafting:
We'll be making tiny affirmations as seen in the "You Are So Very Beautiful" Craftivism project. Use the supplies of your choice to craft a palm size message that begins with the words, "You Are" and includes the hashtag #YASVB on the back. No prior crafting experience needed! Tools and supplies will be provided, but you're also welcome to bring supplies to use or to share.

You are...

On Saturday we welcomed the community into the studio for our second Craft Party.

As we did in July, makers used paper and glue to transform playing cards into messages for the community #craftivism style. Each piece used the phrase "You are..." to create tiny affirmations as seen in the "You Are So Very Beautiful" Craftivism project.

We have plans to do a community walk next week (when things are a little drier) to deliver these messages around Hyattsville. In the meantime, here's a look at a few of awesome messages the community crafted up. Many thanks for sharing your creativity with the community!

We have some ideas in the works for our next Community Craft Party activity and are thinking early December. Hop on the email list to be first to get all the details!