Cultural Connectors: DC Edition
In November, the Conrad DC teamed up with local DC collage artist Lory Ivey Alexander, to create a truly unique experience: a self-guided tour for guests to learn about and peruse the art-forward aspects of several DC neighborhoods. We are proud to present to our guests and those planning on visiting the city, the itineraries for these one-of-a-kind art tours around several DC neighborhoods. But before you dive in, take a look at the inspiration for these tours from Ms. Alexander in her own words…
Hi, I’m Lory Ivey Alexander.
I am a mixed media artist, attorney, and writer based in Washington, DC, and I am thrilled to share that I’ve partnered with Conrad Hotels & Resorts on their inaugural Cultural Connectors program.
As a native Washingtonian and artist, I’ve seen first-hand how local artists and other creatives have continued the DC tradition of cultural vibrancy putting the District on the map as a true creative hub and culturally rich destination.
Though we are best known for the Color School artists, DC has always been a hub for visual and performing art and the city was home to some of the most influential artists of their day, from Pearl Bailey and Duke Ellington to Alma Thomas and Sam Gilliam. Simply put, artistic vibrancy is just part of who we are.
It can be easy to miss the many hidden gems as DC continues to grow and change, but my tour celebrates a cross-section of the city, especially highlighting historically Black neighborhoods that shaped my family story. I believe that we can best understand the city by exploring the creatives who have and continue to make artwork here, while stepping off the beaten path for a bit of history and natural beauty, because to appreciate the arts, we must be inspired ourselves.
I hope you will explore DC’s art and culture through my lens the next time you visit the city and Conrad Washington DC!”
