In Nairobi, Kenya I worked with young photographers in the city’s Kibera slum, and started a photobook library for a weekly photography class.
In Takoma Park MD, I collaborated with Takoma Artery collective for a 'Climate Arts Cafe’ event.
I also hosted a music/visual arts series about harnessing the power of art in the climate crisis, against tyranny and war, and building community. We showcased and promoted the growth of a ‘future-arts’ movement and partnered with artists, groups, and organizations to find innovative ways to make a difference.
Viaduct Arts started as a house salon for local music and visual art with topical relevance, exploring topics like Mars, fracking, climate, social justice and others. When COVID shut that down, we moved to outdoor concerts in my driveway called Roadside Attractions, with socially-distanced audiences across the street. My driveway became a micro-local live music venue for the community. At the time, there was literally nowhere else to play in the DC area. We got city funding to pay honorariums to the otherwise out-of-work artists. RA had incredible sets by the likes of Yasmin Williams, who has since been featured in Rolling Stone and NY Times.
How can artists help in ways that are particular to art? Can art help shift the paradigm in ways that are needed? How can art/artists be leveraged for greatest impact?
Sarah Hughes is an improvisational musician/artist and a prominent fixture in the DC-Baltimore experimental scene. Playing saxophone, clarinet, and flute, Sarah has performed in numerous musical contexts including jazz ensembles, contemporary music ensembles, swing bands, blues jams, folk groups, rap and hip-hop troupes, and indie music collectives. Her woodwind stylings are free flowing, her moods ranging between zen and maximum agitation. In 2015 Sarah toured Sweden and performed in the country’s first Women in Jazz festival. She performs regularly at Rhizome in Takoma Park and around the DC-Baltimore area.
Musicians receive an honorarium from our co-sponsor, the city's Takoma Park Arts program. Sarah asks for donations to An End to Ignorance, which helps vulnerable populations in Baltimore.
