Art Walk - An Autumn Day in Dupont Circle

Our next Art Walk event explorers Dupont Circle a historic, vibrant and trendy neighborhood with its bistros, bookstores, galleries, embassies and some fascinating gems off the beaten path.

Dupont Circle fountain

Art Walk is our regular event series, where we walk through the different parts of DC, Maryland and Virginia, taking photos, as we explore art, architecture, culture and history while having a fun time outdoors.

An Autumn Day in Dupont Circle

We will do a leisurely paced walk in Dupont Circle beginning with its buzzing farmers market and then explore some of the monuments, historic buildings and some off the beaten path gems.

As we walk around we will also compete for the best photo in Dupont Circle.

Getting to Know Dupont Circle

Most DC residents will correctly assume that Dupont Circle is named after the famous chemical and industrial Du Pont family, but few will know that during the during the Gilded Age, Dupont Circle was Washington's undisputed center of wealth, power and status.

Dupont Circle Fountain installation in 1920

Over twenty years, it evolved from small farms and an overrun city cemetery to a community of grand homes for society's elite. Residents included future president William Taft, inventor Alexander Graham Bell, newspaper publisher Cissy Patterson, Mary Townsend socialite known for her lavish Balls and many more.

The Dupont Circle fountain with carvings that symbolize the sea, the stars, and the wind is a tribute to Rear Admiral Samuel Francis Du Pont, a prominent American naval officer and member of the Du Pont family.

Dupont Circle Farmers Market

We will begin our Art Walk with a casual stroll around the farmers market, stopping by to taste some cheese, local pickles, or freshly made empanadas.

Farmers market

In Dupont Circle, more than 40 farmers sell different produce and baked fares ranging from meat, poultry, cheeses, fruit pies, and more.

The Spanish Steps - Getting off the Beaten Path

Constructed in 1905 at the height of the City Beautiful movement in Washington, DC, the Decatur Terrace Steps and Fountain also known as the Spanish Steps, in the Kalorama neighborhood, were intended to provide a pedestrian link between S Street and Decatur Place.

Photography is more importantly an art of composing the story of an interesting moment and sharing your artistic creation with others.

The most important thing is to have fun enjoying the outdoors and the interesting company of our diverse group of participants.

Spanish Steps in DC

Named with reference to the Spanish Steps in Rome, though obviously of no comparable scale and grandeur, they were designed by local architect George Oakley Totten Jr. inspired by the City Beautiful Movement that flourished during the 1890s and 1900s with the intent of introducing beautification and monumental grandeur in cities.

Light Snacks and Drinks

You can bring some light snacks and drinks for yourself to have during the walk.

After the event, we can break into smaller groups and get drinks or food depending on individual preferences. Nearby pubs include Virtue Feed and Grain and Union Street Public House.

Getting There

We will meet at the Emissary, a cozy coffeehouse between N 21st St & N Hopkins St at 11:00am.

Emissary is a 5 minute work from the Dupont Circle Metro Station.

Event Message Board

Important messages related to the event are highlighted, so participants can catch the latest updates about the event.

Event Details

Event: Art Walk - An Autumn Day in Dupont Circle

Description: Explore the vibrant neighborhood and farmers market of Dupont Circle on an autumn day for our Art walk contest.

Date/Time: Sunday October 7th, 2018 11:00 AM to 2:00 PM

Admission: $2 for covering the cost

Meeting Place

Emissary (b/t N 21st St & N Hopkins St)

2032 P St NW Washington, DC 20036

Emissary

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Friends and regular members of Grapes & Grains can pay $2 via Paypal, without the transaction fees using the pay to friend option.

There is no contest fee for veterans, firefighters and teachers who are an important part of our community. Grapes & Grains will cover the cost of their participation.

Competition Rules

Take as many pictures as you would like but only upload two of your best photos for the Art Walk contest. Both the photos must be uploaded after completion of the Art Walk.

• Our judges, some who will be nominated from among our members will then judge the best photos and the overall winner. We will feature the best photos on our website and the winner will receive our award.
• The criteria for judging will be based on the artistic creativity, uniqueness of the photo composition and picture framing besides having a stimulating effect. The photo must also capture the theme specified in the contest.
• A winner for the best photo will be announced three days after the Art Walk by our judges. The winner can pick the prize at any of our future Art Walk events.
• The winner will be invited as our guest, for our next Art Walk event.

During the event we will allocate a time frame for stopping at different locations before we continue with our walk.


Article Category: Events