For Immediate Release
August 14, 2024
Contact:
JR Russ (he/they)
(202) 615-4059
[email protected]
“A Toast to the Boogie: Art in the Name of Funk(adelic)” Closing Reception with Panel and Open House
Washington, DC – The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, located at 200 I (Eye) Street SE, Washington, DC is celebrating the DC Funk scene with a closing reception for the exhibition, “A Toast to the Boogie: Art in the Name of Funk(adelic)”.
This vibrant event will feature two delicious food trucks, a live DJ spinning tunes, and pop-up art vendors showcasing their unique creations. Attendees will also have the chance to meet and support vendors from Shanklin Hall.
- 6 to 7 pm: Artist talk moderated by Curator Michelle May-Curry featuring exhibited artists Anna U Davis, Auguster Williams, Holly Bass, and jET Carter.
- 7 to 9 pm: Open house and general reception.
The exhibition at the I (Eye) Street Gallery features works of art from DC area artists as well as never before seen memorabilia from the Clinton family.
“As a professional musician, this project is near and dear to my heart,” said Executive Director Aaron Myers. “Seeing all these beautiful and vibrant paintings, the creative sculptures, the original photos of Parliament-Funkadelic from the Terrell family and the memorabilia from the Clinton family takes me back to the days of my childhood hearing the lyrics of the song ‘One Nation Under a Groove’ on the radio,” Director Myers added.
Installed it the I (Eye) Street Gallery are the works of:
- Andrew Katz
- Anna U. Davis
- Ashley Brown
- Ashley Jaye Williams
- Auguster Williams
- Eugene Coles
- Holly Bass
- Roderick Turner
- Jacqueline Bryant Campbell
- James Terrell
- jEt Carter
- Joshua Cogan
- Larry Cook
- Mingering Mike
- Muse.Blaq
- Ronald “Stozo” Edwards
- Seemeen Hashem
- Sophia Sterling
- Tom Terrell
- Victoria Ford
Background
“A Toast to the Boogie: Art in the Name of Funk(adelic)” is a juried exhibition with contributions of 50 artists including 16-year-old Sophia Sterling. This exhibition focuses on the funk group Parliament-Funkadelic with George Clinton at the helm. Formed in 1964, Mr. Clinton was inspired by Motown and James Brown, gradually building an ensemble of more than 50 musicians during the 1970s, recording them both as Parliament and as Funkadelic. Funkadelic had an initial psychedelic rock focus, with a traditional band format.
The exhibition was expanded to include artists interpretation of the Washington, DC Go- Go bands that were influenced by George Clinton and Parliament-Funkadelic. An act that frequently played four-hour concerts in the region. The percussive rhythms of Go-Go have connections to the Caribbean dance styles of soca and reggae. Gregory “Sugar Bear” Elliott of E.U. fame has acknowledged the influence of Parliament-Funkadelic in his own music.