How about a breath of fresh air amidst the urban hustle? We’re now standing before the Potomac Garden Sculpture. It is a place where art quietly blooms.
This isn’t just any sculpture. The Potomac Garden Sculpture embodies the spirit of community and artistic expression. It’s part of the Arts in Foggy Bottom project. The Foggy Bottom Association, a non-profit organization founded in 1959, initiated this project.
Arts in Foggy Bottom enriches Foggy Bottom’s cultural environment. It provides exposure to visual arts, especially sculpture. It also creates educational opportunities for residents and students. The project draws attention to this unique, historically significant neighborhood. It connects the business, educational, and residential communities of Foggy Bottom.
The Arts in Foggy Bottom has mounted four outdoor sculpture exhibits. These occurred in 2008, 2010, 2012, and 2014. They were all in the Historic District of Foggy Bottom. The Foggy Bottom Association Defense and Improvement Corporation was the major sponsor.
Jacqueline Lemire, Jill Nevius, and Mary Kay Shaw are the Co-Directors. They manage Arts in Foggy Bottom. An Advisory Committee assists them. The 2014 exhibition was selected by Deirdre Ehlen MacWilliams. She partnered with the Arts in Foggy Bottom founders.
The physical nature and diverse materials connect Foggy Bottom’s communities. All 16 works in the 2014 exhibition were site-specific. Most were on view for the first time in Sculpted: Histories Revealed. The sculptures reflect both the home and the homeowner.
Artist Mariah Anne Johnson draws inspiration from her mother’s home aesthetic. Richard Vosseller’s sculpture showcases his enthusiasm for architecture.
Arts in Foggy Bottom won the Mayor’s Arts Awards for Innovation in the Arts in 2009. Funding for the 2014 exhibition came from the Hilton Garden Inn. Major support for prior biennials came from the Foggy Bottom Association Defense and Improvement Corporation.
So, as you gaze upon the Potomac Garden Sculpture remember its purpose. It’s more than just art. It’s a testament to community. It’s a celebration of history. It’s a reflection of the vibrant spirit of Foggy Bottom.