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Artomatic March 8 – April 28 Wednesdays – Sundays 2100 M Street NW
Artomatic, DC’s largest non-juried arts festival, has returned to DC this year in the Golden Triangle. Celebrating it’s 25th year anniversary, Artomatic, features over 1,000 artists offering diverse art displays, performances, screening rooms, workshops and more. Known for transforming vacant buildings into vibrant hubs of visual and performance art, Artomatic, in partnership with the Post Brothers and the Golden Triangle BID, currently occupies eight floors in the 2100 M Street building.
See the list of events, here. Artomatic is free and open to the public.
Syahidah is a local visual artist whose interest in art started as a child drawing outside in the soil. Now, she uses mixed media ranging from acrylic, watercolor, and charcoal to repurposed items. Syahidah’s overarching message, “advocacy through art”, stems from conflicts in her own life, with friends, and within society, ultimately leading her to become a founder of Artvocate, a DC arts non-profit that provides a platform for unrepresented artists to showcase their artwork. While she draws inspiration from the works of Malaysian Khalil Ibrahim, Okinawan Naka Bokunen, and Cecily Brown, she also cherishes the sketches from her three sons.
Syahidah’s first solo exhibition was in 2010, since then she has exhibited in Japan, Malaysia and across the US.
Colin Winterbottom, a local artist based in Washington, D.C., discovered his passion for photography in the 90s while working at the Urban Institute, the building Artomatic currently occupies. Captivatingly, his showcase unfolds in his former office, adding a serendipitous twist to his artistic journey. Starting with a humble second-hand entry-level camera gifted by a colleague, Colin’s photographic prowess has evolved over the years, yet some of his most compelling work was captured with that first camera. His signature style revolves around moody monochromatic or black and white shots of the city, often portraying unconventional angles that evoke a sense of intrigue and contemplation. This aesthetic, characterized by its emotive quality, resonates deeply with Colin, who once grappled with feelings of isolation. Influenced by early photographers such as Brassai, Eugene Atget, and Joseph Sudek, who embraced high contrast and grainy imagery, Colin’s independent artwork seeks to capture the essence and soul of the urban landscape, eschewing technical perfection for raw authenticity.
Portrait photograph by Colin Winterbottom
Kaila Gracia, a native of Washington, D.C., is a vibrant artist whose creative drive blossomed into her brand, Kai’s Kuties, at the age of 17. A graduate of the Duke Ellington School of the Arts and currently pursuing her Bachelor of Arts degree, Kaila specializes in sculpting with clay, 3D modeling, and acrylic painting. Drawing inspiration from the renowned artist Takashi Murakami, Kaila is captivated by his ability to bring characters to life in diverse forms, a feat she aspires to replicate with her own creations. Immersed in Japanese pop culture, anime, and video games, Kaila infuses her work with a dynamic energy and playful aesthetic. Central to her artistic narrative is the recurring motif of her flower character, born during the pandemic as a symbol of resilience and motivation.
John is a local DC artist whose distinctive artistic style emerged in the summer of 1999. Over the years, he has honed his craft across various mediums, including acrylic paint, digital media, and ink. His showcase at Artomatic 2024 features an equal mix of digital and acrylic works, showcasing his versatility and mastery of different techniques. Drawing inspiration from the natural world, his art explores themes of fractal geometry and cosmic forces. Influenced by artists such as Pink Floyd, Jordann Wine, and Mariano Valadez, his compositions often delve into the mysteries of existence and the cosmos. John’s work can be categorized into two main series: “Entelechies” and “Eschatological Objects.” The former references the origins of the universe, while the latter delves into existential and ontological inquiries, including the presence of UFOs and non-human intelligence. Through his art, John invites viewers to contemplate the profound questions of existence and the universe’s enigmatic nature.
Portrait photograph by @5MPortraits
Jun, a Washington DC-based artist originally from Minneapolis, MN, discovered her passion for printmaking in 2001 while pursuing her degree in Illustration. Specializing in woodcut, particularly color reduction woodcut, Jun embraces its unforgiving nature and irreversible process. Inspired by childhood stories and mythology, her work often features images of livestock animals, exploring themes of competition, fear, and resilience, reflecting her personal journey of overcoming adversity and embracing vulnerability.
Recurring themes in Jun’s art stem from a poignant childhood memory of caring for chicks, which instilled in her a profound understanding of life’s harsh realities. Guided by mentors like Kinji Akagawa, Dusty Herbig, and artist Tom Huck, her work embodies a commitment to craftsmanship and storytelling, offering viewers a glimpse into the enduring strength found in vulnerability.
David is a local DC artist with a creative journey spanning over four decades, that commenced during his middle school years with comics and superheroes. What began as doodles of his own caped crusaders has evolved into seven years of full-time dedication to mixed media. David specializes in collage-like paintings layering various media, with silk screening serving as his cornerstone technique.
Inspired by a kaleidoscope of influences ranging from vintage comics and advertising to the harmonies of music and the wonders of nature, Barr’s work reflects a vibrant tapestry of colors and patterns. He finds inspiration from artistic luminaries such as Warhol, Basquiat, and Rauschenberg, as well as contemporary talents like Faile and Tristan Eaton. In addition, the ever-evolving landscape of social media introduces Barr to push the boundaries of his craft. Through his art, Barr explores the interplay of imagery and text, weaving together disparate elements to evoke new emotions and perspectives to viewers.
Mahnaz Weldy and Maryam Rassapour, local artists based in Reston, share a studio where they collaborate on mixed media artwork inspired by their shared experiences as immigrant women from Iran. Mahnaz transitioned from a 30-year career as a Middle East Subject Matter Expert Analyst to pursue art around 2010, while Maryam honed her skills from an early age in Tehran, eventually graduating with a BFA/MFA in Fine Arts, and now serving as an Art Teacher. Their combined artwork, influenced by their childhood experiences under war conditions and the constraints of the Islamic regime in Iran, explores feminist issues and challenges societal pressures faced by women. Mahnaz loves the work of Jackson Pollock, while Maryam is inspired by Picasso and Salvador Dali; their work aiming to provoke dialogue and empower women in modern society.
Full Directory of Artists
Artomatic is part of the Golden Triangle BID’s vibrancy goals to make the neighborhood a fun and beautiful destination that encourages people to visit and linger. This programming also complements objectives outlined in the DC Comeback Plan to strengthen neighborhoods and support business vitality.
