Artomatic

I really loved this huge, FREE community art installation BUT, pretty please, volunteer organizers, please put up signs in front of specific installations that contain mature content. There were signs scattered around throughout the building that did not correspond to the actual rooms with the graphic sexual or violent material. I can’t tell if someone played a joke and moved all the signs, or if someone decided that random warning throughout the building are enough to allow children to experience art with their families. Or maybe they decided children aren’t really welcome at Artomatic, because that’s how I felt about the experience, and that’s a shame. So many of the exhibits made my children laugh and smile, until, that is, we stumbled on some very sexually graphic material. Organizers — you can do better than this! It’s not censorship to post warnings outside rooms with mature content. PLEASE fix the signs, and preferably, next time don’t put any mature content in hallway areas — use the rooms, or assign a portion of the building for mature content, so parents know what area to avoid.

Artomatic is great, 6 week long art exhibit. I used to go to Artomatic when it was conveniently located just outside the city and by metro. It’s in an office building with 4 levels of art. There’s a great variety in mediums used and some of the art is inspirational.
The first floor is the educational floor where attendees can participate in nude model drawing and get professional headshot photo shoot.
The rest of the floors contains lots of rooms filled with art and mini snack and drink bars. The bars sold beer and wine and Route 66 chips. The only thing I’d complain about is the fact that as most of the floors were so hot and uncomfortable. It would have been nice to have fans to facilitate the air.
This year’s Artomatic had more viewer’s discretion content than previous years. I found some of Ralph’s Ridiculous Paintings funny though.
Some of my favorites include Jeremy Mark’s Gummy Bear Adventures, Sara Baldwin’s landscape paintings, Rick Ruggle’s Square Shots, Barbara Dickey Davis’s See the Heart, Golding’s Crane paintings, Fish Spray Paintings on Wood Panels, Abstract Still Life Paintings of Flowers and Fruit, and The Insight Project.

I am so excited that Artomatic is back for 2015! Artomatic is a volunteer run nonprofit arts organization — by artists for everyone. And they put on a great event. This year’s event is located by the New Carrollton Metro Station and will be open from October 30 — December 12. Artomatic is well-​known for transforming empty spaces into vibrant arts communities that create unique and exciting events for tens of thousands of visitors — all FREE. Anyone can show art at Artomatic — it is non-​juried and art is selected on a first-​come, first serve basis. It is simply a great way to discover new art! Every night of the event, thousands of people visit Artomatic to discover new art, grab a drink, listen to music, go on dates, and mingle with the creative community. No matter what kind of creative events you like, you’ll find something to like at Artomatic.

LOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOVE ARTOMATIC. There’s a little bit of everything for everyone, unless you don’t like art. And if you don’t like art, you have no soul.

Eclectic, offbeat, funky, and refreshingly innovative. Artomatic is a welcome change to the many of the typical local art festivals. At Artomatic you will discover Poetry readings in a dark, subdued makeshift room scattered with metal chairs with walls painted with abstract images, rooms with a woman dressed as a doll exhibiting oil paintings, Hip Hop, Jazz, Alternative and Rock music performances with open bars (cheap drinks included for us middle income folks), with each room painted and decorated a unique surreal theme, designed to expand your consciousness.
The show conjures up the stereotype of the «Starving Artist» or the «Struggling Artist.» As a Writer and Poet of sorts myself and surely unconventional and struggling, I much love this event and cherish it and look forward to it every year.
My last visit was in 2008, as I was living in another state, so I missed the last show, but I am certain the creative theme and talent has not changed. I am eagerly awaiting the 2011 event.

It isn’t a museum but it feels like the museum I always wanted to go to. Everyone and their crazy uncle puts their art or internal paranoia on display. Sometimes it’s brilliant. Sometimes it’s sad. Sometimes it’s moving. Sometimes it’s bad. It’s ever boring. Plan on taking it in portions because there is too much to see. I wish I’d gone more often so I could have met some of the artists.

Artomatic is a great event, and I’m pretty sure I recommended it to everyone while it was going on. I love that there’s so many artists, perfomers, musicians, filmmakers, etc. involved so there’s really something for everyone. It’s hard to believe this is free.
My favorite exhibit for the past two years has been the Peeps exhibit featuring the top contenders from the annual Washington Post Peeps diorama competition. The dioramas shown were really creative, funny, and mind-​boggling when you consider they’re painstakingly assembled from marshmallows. After checking out the exhibit, I was hit by a Peeps craving, which I was conveniently able to satisfy – they were selling Peeps in the small Artomatic store.
I was also lucky enough to be present when they were doing the spank and/​or be spanked fundraiser thing, especially since a friend got wrangled into participating. Yeah, it’s pretty much what it sounds like, and you get to support the cause by paying for the privilege. A lot of fun for the people watching (we are such voyeurs), and for the participants. if they’re into that sort of thing.

I’m giving 5 stars because in one visit you can see the works of over 100 local artists, sample some free entertainment, and swig a $ 4 microbrew. In 2 hours I took in 4 floors and didn’t set foot on the first 5 floors. I returned a few nights later with tickets to a Nationals game. Whether you take the Metro or the RFK shuttle, Artomatic is on route to the stadium. We stopped for about 20 minutes before the game and 30 minutes afterwards. Good atmosphere — busy but not too jammed. This is a great venue for someone looking to acquire some original and affordable art.

I went today based on several «You absolutely must go to Artomatic» discussions with people I know. And you know what… they were absolutely right. Go with an open mind, there’s basically two kind of art here, the kind you get and the kind you don’t. There definitely was a lot I didn’t get, but the stuff I liked I really liked. Give yourself lots of time, there are 9 floors, and you should see all nine. Like someone else said the 100 people project was cool, it seemed to draw people in; it’s one of the only pamphlet things I picked up with the intention of visiting the website. The peeps were cute, and the open letter to the woman who stole someone cheating husband was hilarious.

Nine floors of art. After two floors I was pooped.

To the people who felt that a lot of the work was mediocre and amateur– you’re are 100% correct. It was. The reason for this is that Artomatic is NOT a juried show. The only requirement to display or perform at this event is the $ 99 registration fee, 15 hour to volunteer as «staff» and motivation to turn in your forms early. That is an (obvious) double edged sword. You are going to allow local artists, crafters, performers, writers and activists to gain exposure and make their statement. Love it. In the spirit of inclusivity, you are going to get a lot of stuff that isn’t exactly stellar.
All of that being said, I think my trip to Artomatic this year was the fastest I have ever experienced. There was SO much this year that fell into the «Nice but not great» category that I found myself «skimming» most floors. I couldn’t shake this persistent, nagging feeling that the event felt almost… bland? redundant? corporate… this year.
There were certainly exhibits that stood out:
«Thank you for Not Smoking» on the 3^rd floor. For the low, low price of $ 5 you can get your own original piece of artwork or recycled jewelry from an old cigarette vending machine. My new «Will the Soviet Union Survive Until 1984» booklet (short answer– yes.) even came packaged in an empty Marlboro box.
I also really loved the idea behind the «100 Strangers» exhibit that an AMATEUR (but talented) hobby photographer installed. This is apparently a movement on Flickr encouraging new photographers to approach 100 strangers to take their pictures and learn their stories. The pictures were great– but the accompanying stories from each subject are what hooked me. I think this was on the 7^th floor. (It all became a blur by then)
BE AWARE: No matter what time you go, what day you go… the largest crowd will be around the Peeps.

I went opening night, and it was my first Artomatic experience. I didn’t get to visit every floor and certainly not every exhibit!
I’d say about 10 percent of the work I saw was breath-​taking. The rest ranged from mediocre to downright amateur.
For D.C., I think this is a crucial event. This town is sorely lacking a thriving art scene.
At night, outside the building, the view is beautiful. The glass building, all lit up, might have been the prettiest thing I’d seen all night. But I’m still a fan of Artomatic because while its result is a bit muddled, its intention is right on point. I’ll be back next year!

4.5
Sorry. I’m biased. I’m a participating artist and art lover, so I absolutely love Artomatic.
I deduct half a star because, frankly, there is a lot of unworthy stuff on display. Art is subjective. But overall there’s so much cool photography, glass sculpture, and plain ol’ traditional painting on each floor.
PROS:
(1) FREE admission!!!, (2) Cool art and live performances, duh, (3) $ 5 beer and wine, (4) Frito-​pie, (5) FREE admission, (6) Fire Dancers, (7) Metro accessible
CONS:
(1) May not be suitable for all audiences, some nudes and political art that may offend.
NOTE ~ It’s impossible to see 8 floors or art and live bands in one day. You may have to take a couple of trips to absorb the sensory overload that is Artomatic. Check the website calendar for special events and leave your expectations at home.

1.75 stars. While I certainly respect the concept of Artomatic, I can think of a number of ways to better spend my time than viewing amateur level artwork that could be achieved by your average high school art class. In fairness, I went with high expectations. I thought I would have a firsthand look at some visionary concepts. Instead, I saw derivative exhibits with a healthy dose of trite messages. There were maybe a handful of artists worth a second look, but overall, the event was remarkably disappointing. I will not be back.

An amazing experience, both to attend and participate in.
I went last year for the first time, and loved it. This year I’m an exhibitor (come find me at the big pink wall on the 7^th floor, section 4, right by the bar)
I recommend going in the middle of a sunny day with friends and just wander. Don’t worry about hitting everything in one go, you’ll be overwhelmed. You never know what you will find… there’s something for everyone.

Last year was my first ever trip to Artomatic. I was slightly overwhelmed, but was excited when this year’s dates were announced. While I am a pretty big lover of art, I find viewing all of the exhibits kinda tiring, so I will need to make 2 trips this year to see everything (down from last year’s 3 trips). I am looking forward to going back towards the end of the month to finish up floors 2 – 5, as 2 artists that I really like, will be at the Marketplace selling work on June 28. Wear comfy shoes when you go and do grab a bite to eat beforehand (although they do have a food cart on the 7^th floor I believe, the smell was pretty decadent).

While I’m usually a big fan of the sometimes eclectic artwork at this venue, this year’s exhibit wasn’t as innovative as past years. Remember: eat before you go and come prepared for a marathon art gallery viewing, imbibing and live performances.
Around the corner from the metro exit that’s in front of the Nats stadium. Food and drink served in some floors.

Totally made my weekend. Live music and a plethora of art. 9 floors of art. It was awesome. Plus it is free, but they accept donations.
GO NOW!

What a way to spend a weekend day… lost amongst endless floors of art, art and more art!!! For it’s 10^th anniveresary, they moved Artomatic to the Navy Yard in SouthEast and gave this little place near the new stadium someting lively that will show people the wonderful local talent. It can be overwhelming at points… 9 floors of art? but it’s very entertaining. They do Live «art» shows, music performances and even teach a few classes in the process. If you are new to artomatic, it’s something I mos def wouldn’t try to tackle in one day. I’d pace myself because it’ll be there all month long. so grab your folks and comment about the odd interpetations that these artist have on DC and life in general.

I attended Artomatic on Friday evening and it was a huge draw. By the time my friend and I were leaving a little before 10 PM, crowds were streaming out of the Navy Yard stop. The event is great for the senses — Besides 9 floors of wall to wall art, the great views of Nats Stadium, the Capitol and the National Monument, there is live music, dance, theater, and vendors selling food and beer The best part is there is no admission fee.