Hello, I'm LouLou Marino and I've been involved with Studio PAUSE since it opened—I was the artist who had the first show at the Studio's launch! I've been a part of Studio PAUSE ever since, and I hope you'll join me in supporting this new project, with our first ever crowd funding!
For 13 years, Studio PAUSE has been a welcoming space in Arlington, VA, where multicultural, multi-generational, and everyday people of all backgrounds come together and make time to express themselves through art and storytelling across disciplines.
Founded by local artist Sushmita Mazumdar, Studio PAUSE is dedicated to encouraging creativity, fostering care, and building connections across our diverse community.
This year, we are excited to present "Virginia 250: A Community Art Exhibit by Studio PAUSE — Sharing Expression, Encouraging Education, and Fostering Care through our Art & Stories."
"Everybody learns history differently. I loved learning from Felicity, my American Girl doll from Williamsburg, Virginia!" ~ Kori Johnson, PAUSEr since 2013.
This special exhibit invites people who live, work, and play in Arlington to share their unique perspectives on Virginia, commemorating the 250th anniversary of the American Revolution and Independence of the United States.
Through guided sessions and community gatherings, participants will explore and interpret themes of Virginia in their own ways.
- Since March, we have been having our Thursday PAUSE art and writing sessions every other week.
- In April, our Thursday PAUSE continues every week celebrating National Poetry Month until our Community PAUSE: Celebrating the PoeTree on April 24th!
The exhibit will showcase these creations, offering visitors a glimpse into the myriad interpretations, stories, and experiences that make up our community.
On May 9th, we have been invited to plan a smaller pop-up exhibit at Arlington's HistoryFest at Kenmore Middle School to celebrate more widely with others in Arlington and reach even more people.
At the pop-up exhibit we will invite people to join our project as well and bring their art and poetry to our exhibit at the Studio. As our exhibit continues to grow it will culminate in a celebration and in a catalogue on June 26, just in time for July 4th!
To make this project a reality, we need your help.
This year we decided to not apply for grants as we take on this project. Last year we did not get a grant we applied for and we were told by an advisor that perhaps we were "too DEI". We also received pushback to our ideas from another partner and lost two great opportunities for funding.
We believe in this project which invites people from our unique and diverse community to tell their stories of Virginia 250 through their art and poetry—and be proud of it. Everyone involved is equally excited to participate, collaborate, and share. That's why we've decided to try fundraising. This is our first time reaching out to the community for direct support.
Funds raised will go toward art materials, hosting art-making and writing sessions, exhibit materials and setup, outreach, catalog design and production, and operational costs—everything needed to bring this vision to life from March to July, 2026. Your support, whether through a donation or by sharing our fundraiser, will help us continue our mission of connecting and uplifting our community through art.
Thank you for believing in the power of creativity and community!