Page 1 of 1

Washington DC, USA

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 12:59 pm
by Ctribastone
Any preferred indoor sites to consider?

Re: Washington DC, USA

Posted: Wed Oct 27, 2010 2:57 pm
by woodcut55
Museums are the most welcoming places that time of year. Natural History might be fun if you can cope with the crowds of children there are tons of animals and artifacts there. The Smithsonian's American Art and Portrait gallery is very close to metro and has lots to draw with smaller crowds. Union Station might be interesting. Does anyone know if we can go to Library of Congress Jefferson building and hang out drawing? Other suggestions?

Re: Washington DC, USA

Posted: Sat Oct 30, 2010 1:21 am
by Ctribastone
Union Station and the Natural History Museum both crossed my mind as locations, but I especially like your idea to go to the Library of Congress.

Re: Washington DC, USA

Posted: Fri Nov 12, 2010 12:18 am
by woodcut55
It is too bad we can't go look at old sketch books in the LOC rare books collections but that requires a library card and a date with them upstairs.
I guess we need to check in with the security regulations about doing events at the library's Jefferson Building. Maybe we could go on the short tour they give then break out to do our own thing sketching!

Re: Washington DC, USA

Posted: Tue Nov 16, 2010 12:18 am
by woodcut55
Hey I went to look at the LOC website and read everything I could find on visiting. Only thing that might be a problem is they don't allow sitting on the steps or floor and they didn't say anything about drawing. Photos are prohibited in certain areas but I think if we can get in with our sketching stools we will be good. Anyone know a LOC employee who could help clear up concerns about artists drawing in the library's halls and exhibitions?

Re: Washington DC, USA

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 12:40 am
by poemsaboutme
If I remember correctly, you have to have a library card in order to get into the Library of Congress. The last few times I went there I was asked to show a card.

How about the National Gallery of Arts? There are plenty of sitting spots, there sculptures, there are plenty of tourists, inspiring art around, AND it is quiet.

Re: Washington DC, USA

Posted: Mon Dec 06, 2010 6:39 pm
by woodcut55
We went to NGA as part of our tour of the nat. mall museums last Feb. but we stopped at the NGA sculpture garden. Still have those noisy Smithsonian Natural history and American history we could visit if the Library of congress isn't allowing tourists anymore.

Re: Washington DC, USA

Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 3:43 pm
by Studio-1-F
Poems is right: For post 9/11 access to LOC you need a "Reader Identification Card": "Users of the Library's research areas, including Computer Catalog Centers, and Copyright Office public service areas are each required to have a Reader Identification Card issued by the Library." The whole registration process is described here: http://www.loc.gov/rr/readerregistration.html

Bit tedious for just a 1-day visit?

Jan

Re: Washington DC, USA

Posted: Tue Dec 28, 2010 4:08 pm
by woodcut55
Jan You know that card is for people who want to use the library. We are going in the public areas and through the galleries where they display important items from their collection. It is more like a museum area of the original LOC building called the Jefferson. Security check is at the door and then you are taken on a tour or you can wander the halls and visit the exhibitions and gift shop on your own. But if you have an other suggestion where we might meet up we haven't set this LOC visit in stone. Frederick

Re: Washington DC, USA

Posted: Fri Jan 07, 2011 6:56 pm
by dougk
Frederick, I think you are right - unless something has changed in the last year, you don't have to show a library card to visit the front part of the original building where the grand lobby is. You'd need a card to visit the ground floor of the main reading room, but you can view it from the mezzanine level visitors gallery. There are enough murals, sculpture and grand architecture in the rest of the building to keep me busy sketching for the entire day. My vote is for the Library of Congress.

Doug

Re: Washington DC, USA

Posted: Thu Jan 13, 2011 1:56 pm
by Ctribastone
Library of Congress it is.

The Library of Congress
101 Independence Ave, SE
Washington, DC 20540

Capitol South Metro stop is the closest.

Meeting time between 10:30-11:00 AM

I'm not familiar with the site so I don't know if there is an ideal meeting place on the grounds, but if we don't see each other by the entrance let's all try and find our way to the Main Reading Room and/or Great Hall.

Re: Washington DC, USA

Posted: Sat Jan 22, 2011 2:24 pm
by Ctribastone
It's cold out there.

To anyone wondering where we're going to be, I will try and keep updating our where about on my twitter http://twitter.com/bjorneskil


Also realizing I'm not 100% sure where the main entrance to the LoC is, but I'm sure we'll all figure it out and find each other. See you soon.