Local Artists' Works Grace Neighborhood Library

Georgetowners have poured their time, energy, funds and now their creativity into making the a local treasure. Works by two Georgetown artists — Sidney Lawrence and Arthur Day — now adorn the library, which was recently renovated after a fire five years ago.

The works, one an archival digital print of a thin-line ink drawing of a D.C. cityscape and the other a colorful landscape of Georgetown streets, hang over two fireplaces on the library's first floor. 

Lawrence described his cityscape of the National Mall, saying it stretched "all the way from the Capitol building, zooming along to the Washington Monument and up the river to Georgetown."

Advisory Neighborhood Commissioner Tom Birch donated Lawrence's work to the library. The two are long-time friends.

"I think he kind of knew that I wanted to have [my drawing] in there," said Lawrence.

Day, who has a studio at the nearby Jackson Art Center, donated his work to the library.

In a news release, the Friends of the Georgetown Library called his donation a "joyful rendition of our Georgetown streets."

Though both works are currently on display, the Friends of the Georgetown Library are hosting a celebration and "thank you" reception at the library on May 17 at 5 p.m. so Georgetowners can see the art and the artists side by side.