By Shai Vaz, Culture Staff Writer
Posted 1:55 PM EST, Tues., Oct. 4, 2016
When given the opportunity to attend an all night art show, I was expecting an art studio or warehouse large enough to house the entire D.C. community and its artists. Instead, the curators of Art All Night provided me with something better.
With an entire city full of pop up art-shops and public demonstrations, the District of Columbia became the art museum on Saturday, September 26. Whether D.C. residents were partaking in free painting sessions or participating in spontaneous dance parties, it was difficult to be bored attending this event.
The atmosphere of Saturday night was very exciting. Georgia Avenue was flooded with noise and music as people wandered through the multiple art venues that were set up. The popular Wanda’s on 7th Beauty Salon was amongst the many shops used to display art. The crowd was quite diverse in the age groups that were out; however, I noticed an interesting trend amongst the racial demographics.
About a third of those who occupied Georgia Avenue were students who attend Howard University. There was also a significant amount of mature, Black young adults, but they were outnumbered by an abundance of their white counterparts, many of who were present at the art venues.
The open space across from the Shaw library was utilized for this event as well. A projector displayed what is described as a “liquid light instillation” against the side of a local hair shop. This visual was provided by artist, Munch Joseph. A DJ was also present and glow sticks and whistles were distributed to create the setting on an outdoor art dance party. The space also housed tents where digital artists and filmmakers were able to display their work. There, I met D.C. sculptor and digital artist, Sydney Buffalow.
Her exhibition, viewed on a television monitor, was a compilation of colorful and textured images she has designed using her computer. She described the images as anything along the lines of “repurposing, renewal, rebirth, and second chances.”
Buffalow is also no rookie to the art world. She began “creating” in her high school art class and decided to carry it over as her career. After attending and graduating college, she began teaching as a career.
“I think art is so important,” Buffalow explained. “We need art, it rounds you. D.C. is now just an abundance of talented seasoned artists.
