Georgetown GLOW 2018 Artists & Events Announced

Sixteen artists display 10 commissioned works for the fifth edition of Georgetown BID’s annual outdoor public light art experience, also to feature GLOW All Night shopping event, Book Hill’s Winter Wonderland, new walking tours & more.

Sixteen local, regional, and international artists will show 10 commissioned light-art works juxtaposed against the backdrop of Georgetown’s historic environs during the fifth edition of GLOW in Georgetown. Works will be lit from 5 pm – 10 pm nightly from Saturday, Dec. 1 – Sunday, Jan. 6, with a special closing event on the final night. In addition to the light works, GLOW 2018 programming includes a GLOW All Night festive shopping night, Book Hill’s Winter Wonderland event, and themed historic, food, photography, and curator walking tours.

Artists represented in Georgetown GLOW 2018 include: Tom&Lien Dekyvere (Belgium); Rhonda Weppler and Trevor Mahovsky (New York City & Canada); Angelo Bonello in collaboration with Light Art Collection and Amsterdam Light Festival (Italy); Kanva Architecture, in production with Quartier des Spectacles Partnership (Montreal, Canada); Hou de Sousa (New York City); Toer (Netherlands); Massimo Uberti & Marco Pollice in collaboration with Light Art Collection and Amsterdam Light Festival (Italy); Robin Bell (Washington DC); and Johnny Dukovich and Klagsbrun Studios (Washington DC). An additional artist will be announced in the coming weeks.

“The installations for the 2018 edition of Georgetown GLOW focus on the interaction between space and place,” said Deirdre Ehlen MacWilliams, Georgetown GLOW Curator. “Each artwork is responsive to the historic and unequaled landscape of Georgetown, and conveys a sense of magic and warmth in DC. From positive sentiments we hope visitors fall in love with, to kaleidoscopes of color, light and sound, the artworks are hopeful, playful and interactive. As in years past, GLOW brings a renewed light to all during the holiday season.”

“We are very excited to be hosting the fifth edition of GLOW, Washington, D.C.’s premier light art experience, that’s become a winter tradition in our region,” said Nancy Miyahira, Vice President and Marketing Director for the Georgetown BID. “GLOW’s diverse mix of local, national and international artists represents the growing movement of light and technology as an art medium, and we hope it brightens our visitors’ experience (and senses) in Georgetown and beyond.”

• The charming Book Hill section of Georgetown is hosting a Winter Wonderland from 11 am – 4 pm on Saturday, Dec. 8, in the TD Bank lot (1611 Wisconsin Ave). Attendees can enjoy festive live music, food and drinks—including hot chocolate, cookies and mulled wine—plus kids’ activities, a s’mores station, ugly sweater competition, and photos with Santa for kids and pets with paws.
• New this year, several local tour companies are offering more than 30 GLOW-inspired walking tours, tying the exhibition to history, food, photography, and art themes. Visit www.georgetownglowdc.com/walking-tours for more information.
• The Ritz-Carlton Georgetown is hosting its first Christmas Tree Farm at The Yard in partnership with Bees & Trees Farm of Elkwood, Va. The pop-up farm will open to the public every weekend from 10 am – 6 pm from Nov. 24 through Dec. 16, offering freshly cut trees in addition to a collection of local products, such as jams, butters, teas, wreaths, and hand-painted ornaments. Customers can warm up with a cup of hot chocolate in front of one of The Yard’s fire pits.

• The annual Swedish Christmas Bazaar returns to the House of Sweden (2900 K St NW) Saturday, Dec. 1 from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m.  Sponsored by the Swedish Women’s Educational Association and supported by the Embassy of Sweden, the free bazaar will feature Swedish arts & crafts, crystal, textiles, artwork, books, and decorations, plus Swedish Christmas carols performed by the Santa Lucia Procession, home baked goods, and Swedish sandwiches. Click here for more.

• Head inside Four Seasons Hotel’s cozy lobby for Light Up the Season, showcasing festive decorations by DC’s top local designers to benefit the Children’s National Health System. The hotel’s Bourbon Steak restaurant also transforms, with a Bourbon On Ice patio featuring three heated ice domes, each with their own theme, plus snowy lawn games like light-up bean bag and ring toss. Neighboring ENO Wine Bar will also offer weekly ice wine tastings and an Alpine menu.
• Throughout the entire holiday season, Georgetown’s holiday décor and lights make it one of the city’s most festive neighborhoods. As attendees tour the public art works, they are also encouraged to take a self-guided tour of the uniquely decorated merchant windows in the seventh annual Holiday Window Competition, in which Georgetown’s small businesses square off in a friendly competition to win top holiday decor honors. Beginning December 7, visitors vote for their favorite store window by “liking” its photo in an album on Georgetown’s official Facebook page. The winner is crowned at 5 pm on January 4.
• The Washington Harbour Ice Rink at 3050 K St NW is DC’s largest outdoor ice skating venue—and a must-do to fully experience the holiday season in Georgetown. Skate alongside the Potomac River and enjoy a hot beverage from a rink-side restaurant.

2018 ARTISTS AND PROJECTS

Rhizome, Tom&Lien Dekyvere, Belgium
Location: Grace Church (1041 Wisconsin Ave NW)
Rhizome is a site-specific installation that is part of a series that has travelled the world over the last six years. This installation demonstrates the fusion and obstruction of geometric patterns that grow in and through one another. The juxtaposition of the artwork between nature and technology is seen through metaphoric symbols of sound and vision. The use of color with visible light creates an intriguing composition between technology and nature, and structure and organism.