Arlington Art Truck

2020 Activations

Upcoming Activations

The Desegregation of Arlington Lunch Counters: 60^th Anniversary Tribute by Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr. POSTPONED UNTIL 2021

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Arlington Art Truck’s first activation of the season will be postponed until spring 2021.  While the public activation has been postponed until next year, those who ride the Art on the ART Bus can continue to draw inspiration, as Amos Kennedy's work focusing on the desegregation of Arlington’s lunch counters in 1960 will continue to be on-display well into 2021. 

Commemorate the lunch counter sit-ins that occurred in Arlington County as you letterpress cards with printer Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr., or Arlington printmaker Justyne Fischer. The sit-ins were peaceful protests that challenged widespread segregation policies. Kennedy has designed seven cards to commemorate the sit-in protests that occurred from June 9-22, 1960. A different quote from one of the participants or community members involved in the historic protests will be available to print at each activation. To collect all seven, visit the Arlington Art Truck each week! On site will be representatives from our community partner the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington offering information about their organization. Drop-in visitors at various activations will periodically include Joan Mulholland, Arlington resident, civil rights activist, and participant in the Arlington sit-ins as well as Serena Bolliger, Arlington’s Historic Preservation program staff.

For more information on the desegregation of lunch counters in Arlington, please go here.

This project is organized by the Arlington Art Truck, Arlington Public Art, programs of Arlington Arts in collaboration with the County’s Historic Preservation Program, Arlington Public Library's Center for Local History and Arlington Transit’s Art on the ART bus program.

About Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr.

MAKE & TAKE: A new letter-pressed card at each weekly location.  Collect all seven!
MEET: Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr., Justyne Fischer, printers and a representative from the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington
LEARN: About the desegregation of Arlington’s lunch counters through seven sit-in protests that occurred from June 9-22, 1960.

Greetings from Our Microbiome! by Shelly Smith

The work of Arlington artist Shelly Smith focuses on microscopic life found in water and soil. The artist has illustrated five postcards, featuring the diversity of microorganisms found in five different bodies of water in Arlington, including a bog, vernal pool, and stream. Come examine the living creatures through a microscope, paint the postcards yourself, and then mail them to friends.

Water run-off from our yards and streets not only affects the health of our waterways but it also impacts the larger ecosystem, including trees and plants. The Office of Sustainability and Environmental Management is our community partner, and they will be with us to share how we can be better stewards of the natural environment by reducing stormwater runoff and pollution at home.

About Shelly Smith

MAKE & TAKE: Watercolor postcards to mail
MEET: Shelly Smith, Arlington artist and a representative from the County’s Office of Sustainability and Environmental Management
LEARN: About the importance of Arlington County waterways and how we all can make an effort to protect them.

Saturday, June 6 –Rock 'n’ Recycle- Solid Waste Bureau Open House, 2700 S. Taylor Street, (go to the top of the hill- free parking on levels 2 and 3 of garage on left) 9-2pm

Friday, June 19 – Juneteenth with the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington, Virginia,  parking lot of Mount Salvation Baptist Church, 1961 N Culpeper St., time TBD

Saturday, June 20 – 25^th Annual Columbia Pike Blues Festival, Columbia Pike and S. Walter Reed, 1-8:30pm

Thursday, June 25 – Ballston Farmers Market, Welburn Square, 901 N. Taylor St., 3-7pm

Thursday, July 2 –Ballston Mega Market (Ballston Farmers Market with more!), Welburn Square, 901 N. Taylor St., 3-7pm

Tuesday, July 21 – Crystal City Farmers Market, 2121 Crystal Dr., 3-7pm

Wednesday, July 29- Rosslyn Farmers Market, Central Place Plaza, 1800 N Lynn St., 3-7pm

Friday, August 14 - Arlington County Fair, 3-9pm- TBD

Saturday, August 15 - Arlington County Fair, 3-9pm-TBD

Flight by Greg Stewart

Learn about the birds that migrate through our area each autumn, and those that are threatened by loss of habitat in Virginia. Artist Greg Stewart and a team of James Madison University students will be on-hand to facilitate your artmaking. You can select from a library of laser cut names of fall migrating birds, then stencil them onto the ground with sifted soil and create a bird sculpture with clay and native seeds in the shape of the threatened birds to take and plant.

Our community partner for this project is Arlington County’s Urban Forestry Office, who will offer you tips on tree care and grant opportunities for free trees. They will be sharing information on the update to their Urban Forest Master Plan and Natural Resources Management Plan. The Urban Forest Master Plan addresses the conservation, planting and maintenance of trees in Arlington County, preserving a healthy ecosystem, and the Natural Resources Management Plan looks to conserve and enhance the unique ecosystems in our parks.  This project is developed in partnership with James Madison University, Harrisonburg, Virginia.

About Greg Stewart

MAKE & TAKE: A sculpture in the shape of threatened birds made of native Arlington seeds and clay to plant in your own yard. Stencil the names of migrating birds on the ground. View threatened birds through a 3D View-Master.
MEET: Greg Stewart, sculptor, students from James Madison University and Arlington County’s Arborist.
LEARN: About birds and trees of Arlington County and preserving a healthy ecosystem.

September and October - dates to be determined