Monday, July 22, 2019

Maggie O’Neill to Bring “Let’s Play” to The Rooftop at Union Market

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From our friend, Maggie O'Neill...

Maggie O’Neill to Bring “Let’s Play,” Her First Experiential, Interactive Solo Exhibit to The Rooftop at Union Market

The life-size bingo game on July 28 will feature a 75-player board on the rooftop court

Renowned artist and entrepreneur Maggie O’Neill invites Washingtonians to play to win during her first interactive exhibit, “Let’s Play,” a free, open-to-the-public event at The Rooftop at Union Market (1309 5th Street, NE.)

On Sunday, July 28, participants will get to play three rounds of 75-person, life-size bingo on the rooftop during a series of first-come, first-serve games. Players of the large-scale bingo games can win limited-edition prints by Maggie O’Neill, as well as gift certificates to local favorites including Lapis, a modern Afghan bistro and Lapop, a cultural salon specializing in coffee and craft cocktails. Guests will also have the option to play a few rounds of bingo on traditional boards at the event.


“Let’s Play” will include live music and a roller skate raffle and party-goers will have the opportunity to indulge in food and drinks from Taco Bamba, various Union Market vendors and other DC favorites, all available for purchase at the event.

Artist Maggie O'Neill (Photo: Dominique Fierro)

The “Let’s Play” festivities are taking place on The Rooftop at Union Market, a new community space by leading national retail real estate owner, operator and developer EDENS, which is currently hosting the Kastles Tennis Stadium.

'Double the Fun' by Maggie O'Neill

“This experience is meant to be a piece of art as much as a single painting hanging on a wall,” says O’Neill. “I want to create an experience that gets you inside the painting, creating a sensory experience meant to capture the nostalgia and universal themes of play and summer.”

O’Neill has been working with materials from the classic game as a medium for her artwork for several years, hosting bingo events at her studio and engaging through the game with patients at Children’s National. O’Neill has committed a portion of the sales of the 30 pieces of original artwork and merchandise inspired by bingo, ice cream, roller skates and disco showcased and available for purchase at “Let’s Play” to support research efforts at the medical center.

“Let’s Play” will take place on Sunday, July 28 from 6 to 9 PM. For more details and to RSVP, please visit www.letsplay2019.eventbrite.com.

ABOUT MAGGIE O’NEILL:
Maggie O’Neill is a DC-based artist, designer and creative entrepreneur best known for her depictions of local landscapes and people. She is co-founder of SWATCHROOM, a creative design firm in Dupont Circle specializing in hospitality design. Her work has been recognized by President Barack Obama, whom she had the honor of personally delivering a portrait to in 2012, and DC institutions such as the National Cherry Blossom Festival. She was named the official artist of the annual event in 2018.

ABOUT ‘LET’S PLAY’:
“Let’s Play” is an interactive exhibition and experience by artist and designer Maggie O’Neill. During the special event on The Rooftop at Union Market, 30 pieces of original artwork and merchandise inspired by bingo, ice cream, roller skates and disco will be showcased and available for purchase. The surrounding environment will serve as an extension to the artwork, allowing guests to enjoy a sensory experience meant to capture the nostalgia and universal themes of play and the summer season. O’Neill is aiming to create an environment that imitates the energy of the artwork and the game, connecting the patron to her art in another dimension.