Information provided by Nancy Murphy, media contact, nancysmurphy@aol.com

The artists of the Jackson Art Center will open their doors Sunday, May 1, from noon to 5 pm for their free twice-a-year Jackson Art Center Open Studios.

Open Studios is an invitation to the community to visit the art studios of 40+ local artists who paint, draw, sculpt, and work in the historic Jackson School, a former DC public elementary school (1890–1971) in Georgetown, across from Montrose Park. With its high ceilings and abundant natural light, the school has been leased from the DC government to local artists for studio space since the mid 1980s. 

At Open Studios, art spills from the former classrooms and cloakrooms into the halls and foyers, with food and drink, live music, children’s workshop, and an opportunity for visitors to rummage through the old school building. The Jackson School is one of the last intact red brick DC public school buildings from the late 19th century that has not been converted into residential or commercial space. Every inch of the school, including the janitor’s closets and principal’s office, is used for art, including a working pottery studio on the lower level.

The event is free. This spring, guests may take home an original piece of art for a $25 or $50 donation to Jackson’s community service partner, the DC Homeless Children’s Playtime Project.

View artists’ work at jacksonartcenter.com. Like us on Facebook. Twitter @jacksonartists