Dee Dwyer's project video is now available on YouTube: here.

Time and Place is periodic, curated exhibitions of temporary public art projects commissioned by the City of Alexandria’s Office of the Arts that examines aspects of the city’s history. In recognition of the city’s 275th anniversary and its theme of “One Alexandria, Many Stories”, Time and Place 2024 focuses on capturing this moment in time by documenting and sharing Alexandrians’ diverse stories and their relationship to this dynamic city. The selected Time and Place artist, Dee Dwyer, is a force in the world of photography, curation, and directing. Known for her awe-inspiring images, Dee Dwyer’s project culminated in a community event in October 2024 with art projections, a night market, and community connections at Market Square in Old Town Alexandria.

Time and Place is periodic, curated exhibitions of temporary public art projects that examine aspects of the city’s history. The focus of each exhibition is determined by a curator through conversation with the Office of the Arts, Office of Historic Alexandria, and relevant tasks forces and commissions. Artists could be given the opportunity to draw on the historic and archaeological resources that the City has available, or be challenged to look for meaningful locations elsewhere throughout the city. Projects could be developed in many media.

The inaugural Time and Place exhibition featured works by artists Lauren Adams and Stewart Watson (collaborating) and Sheldon Scott. Their works were presented in early 2017, and were recognized by the Public Art Network’s Year in Review as one of the most exemplary projects completed that year.

Two major anniversaries are approaching in Alexandria: Alexandria’s 275th anniversary in 2024, and the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence in 2026. Both offer opportunities for Time and Place installations related to those milestones. Leading up to 2026, there will be statewide and national celebrations that Alexandria can connect with as well.

The Alexandria Public Art Program is pleased to announce that Dee Dwyer has been selected as the artist for Time and Place 2024.  

For more information about the project, parameters, and timeline, review the approved project plan.

At 275, Alexandria is a lively city with a deep and storied history and a diverse and dynamic population. In recognition of the city’s 275th anniversary and its theme of “One Alexandria, Many Stories,” Time and Place 2024 will focus on capturing this moment in time by collecting, sharing, and documenting Alexandrians’ stories.

The project will support and extend the efforts of the Alexandria Oral History Center and draw inspiration from the core principles of the field of oral history, which aims to document people’s lived experiences through personal stories and memories to ensure the inclusion of diverse voices and experiences in the historical record and create a fuller understanding of the present and past for future generations.

Specifically, Time and Place 2024 will ask an artist to develop a line of inquiry exploring Alexandrians’ relationship to the city, what it means to be an Alexandrian, and why they choose to (or how they have come to) call this place home. The project will capture the voices and experiences of diverse Alexandrians – whether they have recently arrived to the city or been here for generations – and document Alexandrians’ thoughts and ideas around community, connection, belonging, and what makes Alexandria home.

Dee Dwyer, a dynamic force in the world of photography, curation, and directing from the radiant community of Southeast Washington, D.C. Known for her awe-inspiring images, Dee's journey is a testament to the transformative power of "Dreaming Big" – a mantra instilled in her by her mother during her formative years, which she continues to embody with unwavering passion.

Dee Dwyer's dedication to collecting and sharing stories has earned her the well-deserved title of "The Visual Voice for the People" in her community. Her unwavering commitment to showcasing the full spectrum of human existence, with humanity at the forefront, has become her driving force. In 2020, Dee blazed a trail with her groundbreaking series, "Voices of Wards 7 and 8," in collaboration with renowned publications such as DCist, WAMU, an NPR station. Her mission was to provide a platform within the media industry for individuals in underreported areas to share their unfiltered, first-person perspectives.

Dee Dwyer's unadulterated and compelling visuals are a window to the souls of people, revealing their adversities, truths, beauty, and culture. Dee's journey into the world of photography began in her teenage years when she developed a deep fascination for the art. She carried a disposable camera everywhere, photographing the daily lives of family and friends. Her academic pursuit led her to a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Filmmaking and Digital Production, honing her keen eye and technical skills. It was during a mandatory Black & White Film photography class that her love for photography truly blossomed. Here, she learned to shoot and develop her own film, setting her on a path to mastery. Dee's love for travel and community continues to guide her creative lens as she strives to "Show the World What it's Made of."

Dee Dwyer is a "Shooting Star" in the world of media and storytelling. In 2021, she delivered a thought-provoking TEDx talk in collaboration with the University of Washington, titled "Putting Humanity First within the Media Industry." Her work has graced the walls of prestigious institutions, including The Phillips Collection, The National Building Museum, Montpelier Arts Center, PhotoSCHWEIZ, Photoville, Catchlight, Reginald F. Lewis Museum, and The Martin Luther King Jr. Library, among many others. Her captivating visuals have also found their way into esteemed publications such as Vogue, Rolling Stone, National Geographic, The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, The Washington Post, BET, The Guardian, Bloomberg Businessweek, NPR, DCist, WAMU, and more.

In 2020, Dee was recognized as one of i-D magazine's top 20 photographers who defined the year. She boasts awards from the Society of Professional Journalists Dateline for an online feature and a Regional Edward R. Murrow award for feature reporting. In 2023, Dee clinched a Gracie award for her compelling story on the Black Maternal Health crisis. Dee Dwyer resides in the Washington, D.C. area with her two children, continuing her remarkable journey of storytelling through the lens, capturing the essence of humanity in all its splendor and intricacies.