Last night, I headed for the Spanish Ballroom at Glen Echo Park for the opening of the Glen Echo Labor Day Art Show.
First, I gotta say, I can't believe this was my first trip to Glen Echo Park - like ever! I
It originally served as a Chautauqua Assembly, then it operated as a pretty fabulous amusement park until the late 1960's. In 1971, the National Park Service took over management of the park, and worked with arts and educational groups to make it fabulous once again. Today, the restored park (without the wonderful old roller coaster) offers all sorts of things. The old Spanish Ballroom hosts, not only art shows, but is a venue for Swing and Contra Dance classes on most Friday nights. Last 
night, the dancers got bumped into the old Bumper Car ride. There are also classes in pottery, painting, and glass art. You can take a photography course, which would have to be amazing, because there is so much material there for Wordless Wednesdays!
As I walked from my car to the park, I crossed a footbridge that overllooks a beautiful creek that flows down to the Potomac River.
Then, there was the old restored carosel - looking completely magical!
Last night, my friend, Joel D'Orazio had some pieces in the exhibit at the Spanish Ballroom. It was fun to see him, his wife, Alice Kresse (also an artist) and their daughter Gia, now grown up and on her way to the Savannah College of Art and Design - guess who's following in her parents' footsteps! When they moved from their historic Wardman townhouse on 16th Street to their new contemporary in Bethesda, I was their Realtor! As soon as I saw the new house, with soaring ceilings and a ton of wall space, I knew it was for them.
The opening was very well attended. It had paintings, sculptor, ceramics, photography and jewelry.
Joel had several pieces on display.
The show runs through Monday, September 7th, and celebrating the labors of these mid-Atlantic artists is a great way to spend the holiday - if you're not out looking at houses!
Hi Pat... where is Glen Echo Park? I have never heard of it. Looks like someplace worth checking out if you're in DC!
Sounds like a really enjoyable evening, and how great to discover the art show! I love art exhibits and what they bring to the community. Very nice post!
Steve, it's in Bethesda, out MacArthur Boulevard. There used to be a trolley car that went out there when it was an amusement park. At some point, the area residents exerted pressure to close down the trolley so it would be harder for people living in the inner city to get out there. Without the trolley, nobody could get out there without a car, and the park went into disuse. And yeah, I'd put it on my list of things to do in DC!
And Mara, there is a really lively arts community in DC. They got a really big turnout!
Pat I feel better knowing we're not the only ones who haven't been to Glen Echo - soynds liky you and your artist friends had a grand time Karen
Pat: I've never been to Glen Echo Park either. Love that restored carousel. Talk about eye candy!! Bright lights, pretty colors. What's not to love?
Pat - wonderful overview of Glen Echo Park. The carousel is beautiful - can you still ride it? I had heard of this park but never visited. Could be a plce to check out if I get to DC again.
Jeff
What a cool sounding place. I wanted to stop by and tell you that your comment on Sardi's most recent blog post cracked me up.
I am not sure why I have not subscribed to your blog before now but will remedy that right after submitting this comment!
Pat - sounds and looks like a great place to visit. I may have to settle for our Salem restored carousel for a while but I'll make it to your neck of the woods one day. :-)
Pat,
That is one beautiful carosel and it makes you want to jump on it and take a ride.
Pat,
Those are great photos. I bet that was a really classy and fun event.
Pat, I can't get past the carousel, that is just beautiful. I love them. I want to take my own pictures, but I can't find a good one here... now I will go cry.
So, glad you had a good time, what a great thing to do!
I love the carousel..you don't see much of them anymore ..Great photos..Thanks Pat
I started taking glass at Glen Echo about 6 years ago. We had classes in a trailer before the "glass" building was opened.
I went to Glen Echo as a kid with our church group. The old wooden roller coaster was scary, not because it was fast but because it was old and clackety clak but loved the bumper cars. There is a negative history to Glen Echo as well. Sufice it to say it was not open to all in the DC area which eventually led to some arrests in the 1960's.
It's wonderful to see the old Carousel Pat, I am so happy they didn't tear it down. I still remember the old roller coaster!
My brother has been dancing there for many years and loves it. He's single, mid 50's and looking for a partner who loves to dance - know anybody?
I was going to go there on Labor Day and just did not get down there. Love that place!!