Arlington Art Truck

2020 Activations

Upcoming Activations

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

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 protests that challenged widespread segregation policies. Kennedy has designed seven cards to commemorate the sit-in protests that occurred from June 9-22, 1960. For each place the truck activates, one each of the seven cards will be available to print. To collect all seven, visit the Arlington Art Truck each week! On site with us will be our community partner the Black Heritage Museum of Arlington offering information about their organization.  Drop-in visitors might 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.

Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr., will be with us on March 31, April 2, 3, 4, May 16 & 17. 

Tuesday, March 31 - 7am-3pm, Gunston Middle School, closed to public

Thursday, April 2 – 7am-3pm, Dorothy Hamm Middle School, closed to public

Thursday, April 2 - 5:30pm, Library of Congress - Artist Talk and Printing Demo*

Saturday, April 4 – 9am-12pm, Arlington Farmers Market, N. 14th St + N. Courthouse Rd.

Saturday, April 11- 11am-3pm, Shirlington Plaza in front of Shirlington Branch Library. Rain location: inside the library, 4200 Campbell Ave.  3:15pm - Free film screening: “Proceed and Be Bold” a documentary on Amos Paul Kennedy, Jr., Shirlington Branch Library, 4200 Campbell Ave.

Sunday, April 19 – 9am-1pm, Pike Park Farmers Market, 2820 Columbia Pike

Saturday, April 25 - 1-4pm, Arlington Palooza - Alcova Heights Park, 901 S. George Mason Dr.

Sunday, May 3 – 8am-12pm, Westover Farmers Market, Westover Library Plaza, 1644 N. McKinley Rd.

Saturday, May 9 – 10-noon, World Migratory Bird Day Festival - Lacey Woods Park, 1200 N. George Mason Dr.

Saturday, May 16 - 8-noon, Lubber Run Farmers Market  - Barrett Elementary School parking lot, 4401 N Henderson Rd.

Sunday, May 17- 9am-1pm, Fairlington Farmers Market - Fairlington Community Center parking lot, 3308 S. Stafford St.

*Arlington Art Truck will not be at this location

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.

June and July - dates to be determined

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