Applauding the D.C. Artsy Fashion Peacocks 


A reception and private video preview of a special pride edition of their 202 Creates Masterclass featuring D.C. Arts Commissioner José Alberto Uclés and arts and children’s book author Tom Noll, popularly known in the Washington metro area as the “DC Artsy Fashion Peacocks,” was held at the Ven at Embassy Row on June 20 in celebration of Pride Month.

After a delightful cocktail reception, Angie M. Gates, Director, D.C. Office of Cable Television, Film, Music and Entertainment, noted “The 202Creates Masterclass Series features chats and conversations with experienced creative entrepreneurs focusing on creative business and navigating the creative landscape of Washington, D.C. We are excited to have DC Arts Commissioner José Alberto Uclés and children’s book author and artist Tom Noll as our June202Creates Masterclass conversation. Jose and Tom are terrific examples of the DC Creative spirit, and we are pleased to give them this platform to share their story. OCTFME promotes, educates, and develops programs and opportunities to support the District’s creative community and economy through Mayor Muriel Bowser Presents the 202Creates initiative.”

José Alberto Uclés, originally from Honduras, has worked for the past 21 years at the U.S. Department of Transportation as the Hispanic Outreach Spokesperson and Public Affairs Specialist for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. He was reappointed in 2020 for a third term by Mayor Muriel Bowser as commissioner at the D.C. Commission on the Arts & Humanities, representing his Ward 5.

Tom Noll is an award-winning children’s book author with his “Trash to Treasure” Series: Recycling Creatively with L.T. (The Bicycle Fence, Selling Eggs). Guests received those books as a departing gift. Noll is also a sculptor, artist, decorator, landscape designer and creator of the popular White Bicycle Fence Art Installation at Bloomingdale’s corner park on Rhode Island Avenue, First and T Streets, NW that he whimsically decorates for major holidays and seasons to the delight of everyone.

They both say: “We believe in the positive, transformative, and nurturing power of the arts, humanities and culture to improve and elevate the quality of life of children and adults. The creative industries have been and will continue to be critical factors in our city’s economic development, revitalization, richness and keep on making our nation’s capital region a vibrant and rich world-class destination!”

The evening concluded with a pre-birthday cake for Uclés.

Jan Duplain, Peruvian Ambassador Oswaldo de Rivero and his wife, Vivian Pliner de Rivero. Photo by Patricia McDougall.

 

Dorothy McSweeny, Bonnie Fogel, Tom Noll, Jan Duplain, Jose Alberto Uclés, Judith Terra, Mary Bird and Bonnie Nelson Schwartz. Photo by Patricia McDougall.

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