I arrive 15 minutes early to one of the first meetings of the new Clearbrook Artist Collective, when a tall, young man, probably in his early 20s, scurries into the room and takes a seat next to me. He starts talking, not to anyone in particular, but just to urgently vocalize his thoughts. “ I work three jobs and I don’t know how I can continue to make time for art…this is terrifying to me..”. The room went silent, and the artists pondered the heavy words. The man speaking was Xander, and Xander’s predicament is a common predicament for artists. Especially in the DC Metropolitan area.
DC, synonymous with power, often sidelines art. While the city draws crowds to the National Gallery of Art or the Smithsonian—institutions that honor influential Western artists long deceased—emerging local artists face a contrasting reality. Many must work multiple jobs or side hustles just to afford living in DC, or else reside with their parents. The situation becomes even more challenging for those producing unorthodox work or lacking academic credentials; they often find themselves unwelcome in local arts organizations or confronted with passive-aggressive remarks that question the ‘professionalism’ of any art that isn’t realist or impressionist.
Recognizing these challenges, I saw a need for a collective that challenges the belief that opportunities in the arts should only be given to artists with a formal education in the arts. In response, Mary Ann Russell, the Artist Liaison for Clearbrook and facilitator for the collective, has been busy organizing workshops and exhibitions for the group. Both the collective and the workshops are open to any artist, regardless of skill level. She aims to give a voice to those who do not get a chance to showcase their work in traditional galleries. Because of that, she has transformed Clearbrook into a constantly evolving art studio with the various art pieces that line its walls. To learn more about the collective please visit https://clearbrookcenterofthearts.org/clearbrook-arts-collective/