Talented Teens Create Bridge Park Public Art!

Located a few blocks from the future site of the 11th Street Bridge Park, students from the senior art class at Capitol Hill’s Cesar Chavez Public Charter School for Public Policy are developing prototype public art for our new civic space. Working under the guidance of teacher Jennifer Sonkin, these talented young designers have taken on the Bridge Park as a client to create artistic installations. We’ve tasked these students to manifest our key project goals – stitching together the city, re-engaging residents with the Anacostia River, improving public health and serving as an anchor for economic development – into fully realized pieces. Last week I had the great pleasure of reviewing their early work seen below and provide preliminary feedback. Their work includes giant statues of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln that visitors can move, a beautiful golden bridge linking long divided nieghborhoods and a reminder that the health of the Anacostia River is connected to the health of our community. We’ll have their final designs on display this spring at THEARC. We are so impressed!