Art aficionados who live or work in Silver Spring can take a walking tour of the area’s public art on several Thursday evenings this spring and summer.
“Appetizers and Art,” organized by the Silver Spring Regional Services Center, Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District, Silver Spring Urban District, and Montgomery Planning, will offer an inside look at art works, beginning with a tour of Silver Spring murals.
The first event, which is sold out, will be held tomorrow (April 18) from 5:30-8 p.m. and offers an example of how later tours will be conducted.
The evening will begin at TTT-Tacos, Tortas, & Tequila, 8407 Ramsey Ave., with a discussion by the restaurant’s general manager of the mural “Neo Indigenous.”
The work, created by New York graffiti artist and Mexican native Marka27, is a private work of art commissioned by TTT/Buena Vida owner Ivan Iricanin.
The next stop will be at “Penguin Rush Hour,” perhaps Silver Spring best-known public work, created by artist Sallie Calmer and installed at the Silver Spring Transit Center.
Next, the walk will head to the area’s newest artwork, “Traincarmachameleon,” which is now being installed on a previously blank wall along Bonifant Street at Georgia Avenue.
Tour participants will hear from artist Goodloe Byron, who will explain the behind-the-scenes process of creating the mural, which was chosen in part by popular vote.
The project is a public-private collaboration between the Silver Spring Urban District, the Silver Spring Arts and Entertainment District, and Washington Property Company, which is building a new apartment complex on the opposite corner.
The art walk will conclude with two additional stops in Fenton Village along the Georgia Avenue corridor.
“Discussions will include information about the history of the artworks, the impact of public art on community revitalization and the technical differences between painted murals and other genres of public art,” according to a press release.
Prior to the start of each art walk, Montgomery Planning will provide appetizers for participants, with drinks and other food available for purchase. Future art walks will be:
- Thursday, May 30, 5:30-8 p.m., meet at Denizens Brewing Co., 1115 East West Highway,
- Thursday, June 13, 5:30-8 p.m., meet at Silver Branch Brewing Co., 8401 Colesville Rd., and
- Thursday, Aug. 15, 5-8 p.m., meet at Astro Lab Brewing, 8216 Georgia Ave.
The walks are free. However, registration is limited and interested participants must register for each tour. Events will be held rain or shine.
Rendering of “Traincarmachameleon” courtesy Silver Spring Urban District.