Finalists Selected for Old Town North Arts & Cultural District Banner Design Project; Community Voting Starts Now
The Old Town North Alliance (OTNA) Board of Directors has selected three finalists for the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District Banner Design Project, and now we need your help to select which finalist will be commissioned to develop the banner designs.
OTNA received a strong response to its artist outreach with expressions of interest from more than 50 artists and designers, thanks in part to help from The Art League, Alexandria Arts Alliance, and Mayor Gaskins’s Art in Every Space Initiative.
The three finalists are:
Tammy Barnes - a muralist, teaching artist, and custom sign maker
Roxanne Bradley-Tate - an award-winning illustrator, graphic designer, and art director
Lisa Hall - an artist, illustrator, muralist, graphic designer, and marketing specialist
TAMMY BARNES
Tammy is a muralist, teaching artist, and custom sign maker who makes “research the foundation of [her] public practice,” and “believe[s] the strongest banner series strikes a balance between the familiar and the unexpected, celebrating the landmarks people already know, while sparking curiosity about the histories and identities they may not yet know.”
Aesthetic: place-based artwork that celebrates the history, culture, ecology, and identity of communities.
Relevant experience: commissioned by the Southwest BID to design six streetlight banners celebrating the unique identity of Southwest DC. Tammy’s work includes streetlight banners, murals, and other public art commissions for municipalities, nonprofits, and private clients throughout the Washington Metropolitan area.
Location: Washington, DC
ROXANNE BRADLEY-TATE
Roxanne is an award-winning illustrator, graphic designer, and art director who draws on a background in brand identity design to create “work that is both distinctive and functional, while helping people connect with the places they live, visit, and explore.”
Aesthetic: warm, modern illustration style that creates memorable public-facing experiences that are engaging and accessible.
Relevant experience: architectural illustration, environmental graphics, banner design, signage, and cohesive visual identity systems that strengthen a sense of place. Roxanne knows Alexandria well as a former resident of 10 years.
Location: Waldorf, MD
LISA HALL
Lisa is an artist, illustrator, muralist, graphic designer, and marketing specialist who loves to create connections between people and places through “a colorful illustrative style of art that brightens up spaces and offers a sense of happiness.”
Aesthetic/artist statement: bright, bold designs and uplifting images and messages that make people happy
Relevant experience: 20+ years of experience in marketing and graphic design with an understanding of successful design concepts and how to create for large scale projects. Projects include utility box vinyl wraps, children’s book illustrations, painting murals, and more. Lisa has come to know Alexandria via her part-time role as a marketing specialist for EYA, working with properties such as Robinson Landing, The Oronoco, and Old Town Commons.
Location: DMV resident for over 20 years
Community Voting
Community members may vote online for their preferred finalist through noon on Saturday, September 19th. The winning artist will be announced later that day during Chalk-A-Block, on Saturday, September 19th, between 1pm and 2pm at Current Tidelock (1055 N. Fairfax St.).
We encourage you to review the materials above prior to casting your votes. Please note that the images featured above are sample submissions from the finalists and are intended to showcase their work styles and approaches. These are not proposed final banner designs.
The winning artist will work with OTNA to create new designs specifically for the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District. In this first phase of the project, a series of 18-20 banners will be installed on light poles along the district’s main corridors to establish a recognizable visual identity for the Arts & Cultural District while showcasing the creativity and character that define Old Town North.
The banner project is being funded through a combination of community sponsorships, a grant from the City of Alexandria through the Business and the Arts Collaborative Invitational Grant program, and financial support from OTNA.
VOTE NOW
3rd Annual Chalk-A-Block
Saturday, September 19th from 11am-2pm at TideLock
Don’t miss Chalk-A-Block on Saturday, September 19th!
Join us at Current TideLock (1055 N. Fairfax St.) from 11am- 2pm for an afternoon of chalk art, live music, and community fun – and stay for the announcement of the community vote results to learn which artist will be commissioned to create banner designs for the Old Town North Arts & Cultural District!
Watch talented artists like Nicole von Kuhl (apple photo above) and Patrick Kirwin (playing card photo above) transform the pavement into incredible chalk masterpieces. Nicole was the featured artist at Chalk the Walk in Virginia Beach earlier this year, and you may know Patrick from his “Dogs of Del Ray” mural and “Good Morning Star Shine” mural on the back wall of Venue. Enjoy live music from The Okays, participate in a community art project led by art therapists from River Grove Therapy, and more!
Come hungry! Old Town North favorites Hank’s Oyster Bar, Hank’s Pasta Bar, Jula’s on the Potomac, and Royal Restaurant will all be on site offering delicious food & drinks for purchase.
Stay up to date on the latest Chalk-A-Block details at:
https://www.oldtownnorthalliance.com/chalkablock
Neighborhood Notes
Congratulations to Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail on the induction of the Mount Vernon Trail into the Rails to Trails Conservancy’s Hall of Fame. The Hall of Fame recognizes the Mount Vernon Trail’s role as a community-supported trail providing transportation, recreation, and community connection. OTNA is grateful to Friends of the Mount Vernon Trail for their dedication in maintaining and improving this incredible community asset for all to enjoy.
Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week
Oak Steakhouse and Jula’s on the Potomac are participating in Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week today through August 30th with special 3-course prix-fixe menus. Make your reservations now to enjoy these delicious, seasonally-inspired offerings.
