Overview

Artists explore the intersection of contemporary art with Alexandria’s long, rich, and multifaceted history in Time & Place: A Conversation about Art, History, and Community.

Time & Place is an initiative of the Alexandria Office of the Arts’ public art program, in partnership with the Office of Historic Alexandria. The goal of this compelling project is to foster exploration and dialogue about our region’s history and its continued reverberations within our community today.

2017

In this inaugural year, three artists from our region— Sheldon Scott, Stewart Watson and Lauren Frances Adams—use research-based practices and work in a variety of media to create thought-provoking temporary works that are inspired by the storied past of Gadsby’s Tavern, located at 134 N. Royal St.

As the first in a series of periodic, curated exhibitions of temporary public art located in the city’s historic sites and museums, the City of Alexandria Public Art Program invited DC-based artist Sheldon Scott and the Baltimore-based artist team of Lauren F. Adams and Stewart Watson to create research-based, thought-provoking temporary public artworks that foster exploration and dialogue about Alexandria’s rich history located in Gadsby’s Tavern.

Sheldon Scott: the Finest Amenities

Sheldon Scott created both an immersive performance artwork and a supporting exhibition of photographs and materials from the performance. Using the history of the harvesting of ice from the Potomac River and the storage and use of ice at Gadsby’s as a starting point, Scott’s work “examines the relationships between race, class, environment, luxury, and consumption by interrogating the process related to the use of Gadsby’s ice well.” Leading a procession through Old Town with a wheelbarrow of ice with “sirens” to guide the way, Scott lead the procession to the tavern where he placed the block of ice on his back and crawled into the tavern’s assembly room where the ice was chipped off and served in glasses of punch to the participants as Scott remained on his knees.  

Connect online
Facebook: @sheldonscottstudios • Instagram: @sheldonascott

COMMUNITY DIALOGUE
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 8, 2017 

In March, the Finest Amenities launched when Scott joined marine biologist Dr. Marvourneen K. Dolor, and historian Lance Mallamo for a roundtable talk on the intersection of art, science, and history, facilitated by public art specialist Todd Bressi. The group provided context to understand and interpret usability and accessibility of our natural resources, specifically the Potomac River. (Videos: Part 1 • Part 2 • Part 3)

WALK & PERFORMANCE
SUNDAY, APRIL 23, 2017 

Sheldon Scott began at the Potomac waterfront at King Street at 1 p.m. and walked towards Gadsby’s Tavern Museum. There, harvested ice becomes an object of decadence as his performance explores class, race, and the environment—past and present. Visitors experienced a one-time immersive performance in a reimagined Gadsby's Tavern. Read the news release (PDF) for more information. 

EXHIBITION
JULY 1–31, 2017

In July and August, Scott continued the community dialogue surrounding the Finest Amenities with a micro-exhibition in the New Project Studio (Studio 8) at the Torpedo Factory Art Center, located at 105 North Union Street. The space featured photography, video, and ephemera from this body of work. 

Stewart Watson and Lauren Adams: Centennial of the EVeryday

Through their research, Stewart Watson and Lauren Adams created a series of site-specific intermedia installations titled “Centennial of the Everyday”. They created historic ephemera that sat beside the historic objects throughout the museum and helped to tell the stories of women, enslaved people, and anonymous visitors whose stories are often overshadowed by the more historically famous individuals told on daily tours of the museum. They created various social media platforms to engage the broader community helping to connect history and contemporary art. 

EXHIBITION
May 15–September 3, 2017

A series of artistic interventions created by Baltimore artists Stewart Watson and Lauren Frances Adams were tucked in among the exhibits at Gadsby’s Tavern Museum throughout the summer. These works of art reflect the artists’ in-depth research about the history of women, enslaved peoples, and anonymous citizens in Alexandria whose stories are overshadowed by other more famous historic figures. Using traditional material methods, such as stoneware, textile, and interior decorative objects, the artists highlight domestic material culture and narratives of anonymity and loss. Read the news release (PDF) or the exhibition guide (PDF) for more information. 

Connect online
@centennialoftheeveryday on Facebook  • Instagram

To learn more about public art in Alexandria, you can review the City Council approved Public Art Implementation Plan & Policy, or learn more about other public art projects in Alexandria.

Visit  alexandriava.gov/PublicArt or follow @alexartsoffice on  Instagram and  Twitter. Add to the conversation with #artsALX.