This slideshow and conversation is pre sented in conjunction with the opening of the exhibit D.I.Y. in the District: Celebrating D .C.'s Artist-Run Spaces\, on view October 4-December 7\, 2025 .
\nThe event will feature \;audio clips and photos from th e archives\, with reflections from artists who played key roles: Bill Warr ell\, artist and founder of d.c. space and District Curators\, Inc.\; \; Bob Boilen\, musician and radio personality\; and Cynthia Connolly\, ar tist\, curator\, and d.c. space program manager (mid 1987- 1991).
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From the late 1970s into the early 1990s\, a D.I.Y. art\, performance\, an
d music scene took root in a very different downtown D.C. than the one we
know today. Hecht&rsquo\;s and Garfinkel&rsquo\;s\, Hot Shoppes and Hi-Boy
Donuts served daytime shoppers\; by night\, a smattering of artists\, cur
ators\, and musicians started showing work wherever they could: in empty s
torefronts\, between wig shops and adult theaters\, in the former Lansburg
h&rsquo\;s department store and the historic Atlantic Building\, home to t
he 9:30 Club and one of the key spaces in DC Punk Underground history. Eac
h narrator will describe the downtown they knew\, the landmarks and busine
sses and art spaces they frequented\, the art and music that happened ther
e\, and more.
Audience members will be invited to listen to cl
ips from the D.C. Art Spaces Oral History Project\, and share thei
r own memories.
<
strong>About the Speakers:
Bill Warr
ell: Painter/writer and presenter/producer have been the two life
tracks for Bill Warrell. He is the founder of the cutting-edge undergroun
d arts and music venue d.c.space in downtown D.C. (1977-1991)\, founding d
irector of District Curators Inc.(1977-2001) and co-owner of the original
Nightclub 9:30. His list of productions grew beyond music to include radio
\, film\, video and multi-disciplinary performing arts. He has retired as
a painter and writer in Delaware\, but keeps his hand in the production ga
me with the Milton New Music &\; Wind Fest every May\, primarily financ
ed by selling his paintings of musicians.
Bob Boilen is a musician and radio personality who got his start playing music in the D.C. art-rock band Tiny Desk Unit\, moving into performance art and c omposition. He joined NPR in 1988 and served as director of All Things Considered for nearly 20 years. In 2000\, he launched All Songs Considered\, and in 2008\, Tiny Desk Concerts\, which has si nce hosted hundreds of performers. He retired from NPR in 2023 and now hos ts My Tiny Morning Show on Takoma Radio in Maryland.
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