The Takoma ARTery arts group has launched a new artist directory featuring artwork and information about local artists, according to a city announcement.
The creation and launch of the directory were funded in part by a grant from the City of Takoma Park’s Arts and Humanities Division to support the local creative community, their small businesses, and economic development in Takoma Park.
“The City of Takoma Park has a long track record of supporting the arts through our Takoma Park Arts events series and a wide range of public art projects,” Arts and Humanities Coordinator Brendan Smith said in a statement. “We also work with local arts organizations, and the Takoma ARTery has done a lot of great work in a short time bringing artists together to support their livelihoods.”
A group of volunteers started the Takoma ARTery during the COVID-19 pandemic to feature artwork by local artists in underused storefronts in downtown Takoma Park and at the Takoma Junction. City grants also helped fund the group’s start-up costs and the ARTery’s first art fair that was held last summer outside the Takoma Park Community Center.
“The financial and staff support from the City have helped transform the ARTery from an innovative pandemic-related arts project into a vibrant artist community which is boosting the creative economy,” ARTery co-founder Eleanor Landstreet said.
Artists will be charged a $70 annual fee to be featured in the directory to help offset the ARTery’s ongoing expenses. Some fee waivers will be available based on income.
More information can be found on the Takoma ARTery’s website.
Photo courtesy of The Takoma ARTery