An artist residency & neighborhood garden working to support artists and serve as a creative and innovative hub for the Ward 7 community

For Immediate Release Contacts​: Stefanie Reiser, ​stefanie@aligndevelopment.com

Date​: September 14, 2019
Chrissy Brimmage, chrissy​@dashboard.us

Ward 7, Washington D.C.​ - Today The Nicholson Project proudly announces its grand opening as an artist residency and neighborhood garden in Southeast D.C. In an effort to explore the positive roles art and design play in strengthening community, 2310 Nicholson Street, a former single family row house, has been restored as a safe, equitable residency for artists. The neighborhood garden was designed in partnership with ​Love & Carrots​ and aims to serve as a gathering place for the neighborhood, and provide fresh produce to local residents & businesses.

“This neighborhood is such a special place,” ​The Nicholson Project founder Stefanie Reiser said​. “I’m so grateful to have the opportunity to create The Nicholson Project. I look forward to connecting with my neighbors around what is created and grown here. And working to build a welcoming space filled with art, storytelling, and laughter.”

The residency aims to highlight the value artists bring to our communities. As such, all artists-in-residence will receive $2,000 per month and full-time access to a live/work space in the restored rowhouse. Applications will be open twice annually, with the next round opening October 1, 2019.

The Nicholson Project’s inaugural artist-in-residence is ​Amber Robles Gordon​. Amber joins the residency as an esteemed D.C.-based artist working internationally. Amber began her residency in July 2019 and will spend the next several months completing a room-sized installation to be unveiled at the opening event (details below).

Artist Amber Robles-Gordon said​, “A selection of my artwork are altar installations that represent the amalgamation of women’s issues, their relationships to society and their resiliency. These installations include an autobiographical and spiritual aspect with a metaphysical interpretation.”

On September 14, 2019, the Nicholson Project will host an opening exhibition and event. Curated by ​Dashboard​, an award-winning art company specializing in site-responsive projects that has consulted on the Nicholson Project from inception. Details of the event are as follows:

OPENING EVENT: The Nicholson Project
Where​: 2310 Nicholson St SE
Washington, DC 20020
When​: September 14 from 3-8 PM
Space is limited, ​RSVP​ please
Gallery Hours: by appointment only, ​info@nicholsonproject.org

Featuring installations & talks by: ​Amber Robles-Gordon​ (DC), ​Heather Teresa Clarke​ (VER) and ​Jefferson Pinder​ (CHI). ​Goosin’ DC​, a photography exhibition featuring ​Larry Cook​ (DC),Beverly Price​ (DC), and ​Vincent Rutherford Brown​ (DC)

A garden talk with Love & Carrots, a studio tour with Robles-Gordon, and performances by ​East River Jazz​, ​DJ Jahsonic​, and ​Hirshhorn ARTLAB​. For schedule of events visit: www.nicholsonproject.org

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Align Development​ is a boutique real estate development firm bringing a visionary eye to urban development to realize the power of architecture and design to transform places, communities and lives. For more information about Align Development, visitaligndevelopment.com​.

Dashboard​ is an award-winning experimental art company redefining space with art and imagination. For more information about Dashboard, visit ​dashboard.us​.

Love & Carrots ​is a woman-owned company proliferating gardening knowledge with individuals, families, businesses, and organizations. They provide aid to people who would like to have a personal organic garden through education and hands-on assistance.

Jefferson Pinder ​is an interdisciplinary artist creating performances, video work, and objects that challenge viewers to think critically about our highly polarized society.

Amber Robles-Gordon​ is a mixed media visual artist. Known for recontextualizing non-traditional materials, her assemblages, large sculptures, installations, and public artwork emphasize the essentialness of spirituality and temporality within life.

Heather Theresa Clark​ is a visual artist building systems that critique our current world predicament. Her work plays on what she calls cultural neurosis: the human tendency to over-consume, over-build, over-groom, etc. in lieu of direct physical exertion to ensure survival.

Hirshhorn ARTLAB​ is a radically inclusive digital art studio for teens thirteen to nineteen years old. It opened in 2011 at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden to provide local youth free access to the latest technology, a wide range of art materials, and one-on-one mentorship from professional artists to support their creative learning.

For more information about The Nicholson Project and launch event, visit ​nicholsonproject.org​. ###