Photo illustration courtesy of Charles Allen’s office, via screenshot.
Once upon a time, the National Building Museum was in trouble. The recession, which hit the whole country hard, was making it difficult for the museum to keep providing excellent and through-provoking exhibits through the lean times. Even though it was (and still is) a haven for parents and little busy ones, and therefore a de facto destination for both locals and tourists, the museum, 410 F Street NW, has had to take measures over the years –such as starting to charge admission back in 2011– to keep the museum not just open but relevant and exciting, and a top destination despite being a DC museum that is not free. (Ask the Corcoran Gallery of Art about that… oh wait. You can’t.)
Enter the summer exhibit: For the past few years, NBM has had a centerpiece that takes advantage of the center courtyard’s sheer volumetric prowess. Three years ago, there was a mini golf course. Two years ago, we had a giant maze take over the sun-drenched space. But the exhibit that broke attendance records and went viral was The Beach, created by Snarkitecture, a self-described “collaborative and experimental practice operating in territories between art and architecture.” You can see photos from last year’s Beach by clicking here, or you can simply type “Snarkitecture Beach” in your browser and watch the whole internet collectively fawn over the impressionistic beach scene made of plastic balls. (It really was lovely, if a bit terrifying when you weren’t sure just how the actual f to get out.)
Anyway, here is the reason why you had to put up with that long explanatory paragraph: Ward 6 Day is happening this coming Tuesday, July 19, and admission to the ICEBERGS exhibit is free with proof of residence! Spend a morning under a glacial wonderland along with your neighbors and our Ward 6 councilmember.
WHAT: ICEBERGS exhibit at the National Building Museum, in celebration of Ward 6 Day
WHEN: Tuesday, July 19, 9-11 am
WHERE: National Building Museum, 410 F Street NW (across from Judiciary Square Metro)
WHY: For a chance to get into the summer’s “it” exhibit for free, as well as having a fun and relaxing time with friends and neighbors!