Being accepted into the 53rd annual Labor Day Art Show at Glen Echo Park is an honor that connects my work with a rich tradition of artistic expression and community engagement. Glen Echo Park, a historic site renowned for its vibrant cultural programming, has been a hub for the arts for over a century. Originally an amusement park, it transformed into a center for arts and culture in the 1970s, nurturing generations of artists and art enthusiasts. The Labor Day Art Show, one of its flagship events, has played a pivotal role in this evolution.

The Labor Day Art Show began as a modest gathering of local artists and has expanded into a prominent regional event, attracting creatives from diverse backgrounds and disciplines. Over the years, it has emerged as a platform for both emerging talents and established practitioners, reflecting the multifaceted and dynamic nature of the art community in the Washington, D.C. area. Noteworthy participants who have exhibited in the show include many who have attained national and international acclaim, making it a coveted venue for artists aiming to reach a broader audience.

My piece, atlas crafted with acrylic rice paper, plaster of Paris, and varnish, is a reflection of the layered complexity and resilience that resonates deeply with the themes often explored in this show. The opportunity to exhibit at Glen Echo Park is not just a personal milestone, but also a chance to contribute to the ongoing narrative of the park as a sanctuary for creativity and the testament to the power of the arts. this year show like those before it, will be a gathering of artistic voices adding a new chapter to Glen Echo’s story history.

Denztel Carousel © 1921 Richard Cook Collection National Park Service