Free showcase for visual art, music and performances will be held in Montgomery County for the first time to demonstrate principles of New Suburbanism
SILVER SPRING, MD – The Montgomery County Planning Department, part of The Maryland-National Capital Park and Planning Commission, is one of this year’s sponsors of Artomatic, the arts festival being held from Thursday, November 3 through Friday, December 9 at Park Potomac (12435 Park Potomac Avenue, Potomac, MD 20854). The event is known for transforming empty spaces into vibrant displays for discovering new art and artists, and this year’s event will be held on the fifth and sixth floors of an office building within the mixed-use Park Potomac development at Montrose Road and Interstate-270.
“We are excited to sponsor Artomatic this year so county residents have the opportunity to engage with a broad spectrum of the creative community right in their backyard,” says Planning Director Gwen Wright. “This is the first time that Artomatic has come to Montgomery County and we believe it represents the principles of New Suburbanism supported in our plans. This festival encourages community interaction with the arts, establishes a new gathering place and transforms office space into a cultural attraction. It will create an exciting destination within our suburbs.”
Artomatic is not a juried exhibition, but allows willing participants to present a range of creative expressions so visitors can experience new and inventive artworks. Display spaces are selected on a first-come, first-serve basis and this year will showcase the work of 380 artists within a 45,000 square foot space at Park Potomac. The event also includes music and performances, workshops for artists, and Saturday workshops for parents and kids. For more about the schedule of activities, visit www.artomatic.org.
The five-week event is free and open on Thursdays (starting November 3) from noon to 10 p.m., Fridays and Saturdays from noon to midnight, and Sundays from noon to 6 p.m. Closed on Thanksgiving Day. Persons younger than 18 must be accompanied by an adult. For visitors driving by car, a two-hour free garage and surface parking are available on site. Metro riders can catch a shuttle bus from the White Flint station to Artomatic during week days. Check WMATA Trip Planner and the Artomatic website for details.
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