By Caroline Woodward

Open Studios is an unique opportunity for members of the public to see, experience and interact with the spaces and creations of various local artists. It is hosted only a few times a year and most recently took place at the Fillmore School in Georgetown on Saturday, June 15. 

The event was facilitated by S&R Evermay, a nonprofit organization that facilitated studio space for selected artists at the Fillmore School for over two years. A representative of S&R Evermay said that the organization’s mission was to use their space and time to create long lasting impact through art and science while looking to the future.

The event featured an interactive workshop, dance performance, a sketching workshop and line dancing classes along with the ability for artists to showcase their work. The building was open to the public, allowing attendees to walk through studio spaces and interact with artists.

Sketching workshop taught by Lex Marie. Photo by Caroline Woodward.

Several artists’ works were featured including Stephanie Mercedes, an anti-disciplinary artist who works in the mediums of metal casting, specifically the metal of guns, sculpture, and experimental opera.

“I think a lot of my work is trying to create kind of like rituals of liberation or rituals of mourning, and I think that a lot of it is trying to respond to what it means to be alive today,” Mercedes said.

Mercedes noted how her art, its ability to be exhibited and the event in general felt particularly important on the specific day Open Studios was held, as it coincided with the Army’s 250th birthday and a military parade happening nearby in D.C.

“I think this is an intense day for D.C.,” Mercedes said. “It is a show of militarism, so I think it’s appropriate for people to be able to come and look at art that’s made from melted weapons.”

Another artist, painter MK Bailey, noted how the space Fillmore provides allows artists space to grow.

“D.C. is in what a lot of people call a creative space crisis,” Bailey said. “There aren’t enough studios here for the amount of professional artists that are here, and the studios that are available are often very expensive or only accessible through a jurying process, so this space has been really incredible with providing a few of D.C.’s artists with some space to grow.”

Attendees noted the community building aspect of the event along with its unique features, like providing guests with the ability to create art through provided activities.

“I think any art activity is important to the community. You’re not just looking at something, you’re actually being hands on and creating your own art,” said Gabriella Barocas, an event attendee. “It’s just nice to do something like that, especially on a day like today.”

Studio space and art of Stephanie Mercedes. Photo by Caroline Woodward.

Unfortunately, it seems the future of the Fillmore school program and Open Studio events is currently undefined, with artists having to move out of the space within the next month. According to the S&R Evermay website, the nonprofit is in a process of transition and restructuring:

“To ensure that our resources and efforts continue to make the greatest possible impact, we will be pausing our programming to embark on a strategic planning process.”