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March 8, 2021

The Wharf Unveils VP Kamala Harris Art Installation in Honor of International Women's Day

Published March 8, 2021

Today, The Wharf, Washington, DC’s world-class waterfront neighborhood, in partnership with the Southwest Business Improvement District (SWBID) and the Italian-inspired culinary collective Officina, unveiled a large-scale, outdoor crochet art installation of US Vice President Kamala Harris in celebration of International Women’s Day. 

The piece is the work of the LA-based, international “yarn bomber” and street artist London Kaye. Kaye has been commissioned for a myriad of art installations including murals in Times Square, a school bus wrap for The Gap and a takeover of Kelly Clarkson’s television show studio. This latest work featuring Vice President Harris is titled “I’m Speaking” and is her largest installation to date, spanning 40-feet in width and 20-feet in height. 

“The Wharf is so excited to be able to welcome London Kaye and her thought-provoking work to the neighborhood in honor of International Women’s Day,” said Jennifer Currie, director of public programming for The Wharf. “We can’t wait for DC residents and visitors alike to see this impressive piece and hope it serves as a way to further unite and uplift our community.” 

The art installation was created as a part of Love Across the USA, a community art initiative celebrating women’s voices. More than 150 women from across the country volunteered to participate in the installation by crocheting a square to be woven into the finished piece. 

“Creating a tribute to Kamala Harris for International Women’s Day was a no-brainer - there is no more powerful female role model in the world,” said artist, London Kaye. “This is a huge undertaking, but the outpouring from women who wanted to be a part of it was so large, we could have easily covered a football field. The spirit of unity is stitched into every square.”

The prominent public placement of the crochet art installation was made possible through a partnership with the SWBID, The Wharf and the artist, London Kaye, who worked together to find the best location for allowing the community to enjoy it. The piece will hang at The Wharf on the outside of the popular, Italian-inspired restaurant Officina along Maine Avenue. The installation will be visible from various angles including a striking view from Banneker Park across the street. The piece will be on display beginning March 8 through Memorial Day Weekend, after which it will be moved to its permanent home. 

“The SWBID is honored to partner with The Wharf and London Kaye to celebrate International Women’s Day and all this day represents to our communities,” said Lexie Albe, Deputy Executive Director of SWBID. “We hope that everyone in the neighborhood and across the District will come take a look at this tribute to our first female VP and the power of women’s voices everywhere.” 

“One of the best parts about our location at The Wharf is getting to be part of such a vibrant community. We love that we get to join in with other partners to celebrate International Women’s Day in this unique and very DC way. We hope that Officina diners and passersby alike will love this artwork and what it represents,” said Officina’s owner, Chef Nick Stefanelli. 

A series of menu specials will be featured at the restaurant for the duration of the installation with proceeds benefiting the National Center for Children and Families, a DC-based nonprofit child and family welfare agency with a commitment to serving poor, disadvantaged, abused, neglected and/or abandoned children, youth, and their families.

To learn more about London Kaye’s work, please visit londonkaye.com. For reservations at Officina please visit www.officinadc.com.  For the latest information on all of the activities and events at The Wharf please visit WharfDC.com, download The Wharf app, or follow @TheWharfDC on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter. 

Media Contact:
John Chibnall 
Senior Public Relations Manager
 
About The Wharf
The Wharf is a remarkable waterfront neighborhood that has established Washington, D.C. as a true waterfront city. Located along the Washington Channel of the Potomac River, the first phase of The Wharf opened in 2017 with more than two million square feet of residences, offices, hotels, shops, restaurants, cultural uses, marinas, and public areas including waterfront parks, promenades, piers, and docks. Phase 1 of The Wharf has increased local and regional connectivity through a new water taxi system, the Southwest Neighborhood Shuttle, proximity to Metro, as well as new bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
   
The second phase of The Wharf broke ground in early 2019 and is scheduled to be completed in 2022. Phase 2 delivers the neighborhood’s remaining 1.25 million square feet of mixed-use development, including new office, residential, hotel, marina, and retail space, as well as parks and public places, across a half mile of redeveloped waterfront.
 
At full build out, the $2.5 billion, world-class, mixed-use neighborhood will feature more than 3.2 million square feet of development along a mile of Washington, DC's waterfront from the Municipal Fish Market to Fort McNair. More information about The Wharf is available at wharfdc.com.
 
About the SWBID
The Southwest Business Improvement District (SWBID) is working towards a better, more beautiful D.C. by focusing on community cohesion, mobility solutions, better parks and public space, and expanded opportunity. The 501(c)(6) organization was established in 2014 and is located in the Southwest quadrant of Washington, D.C.

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