DC LaborFest: ART Events
Organized and presented by the Metropolitan Washington Council of the AFL-CIO, the DC LaborFest features a wide-ranging selection of art about work, workers and workers’ issues.
AFL-CIO HEADQUARTERS TOUR: Wed, May 2, 12p BEN SHAHN WPA FRESCOS/MURALS: Thu, May 10, 12 noon THE SWEAT OF THEIR FACE: PORTRAYING AMERICAN WORKERS: Tue, May 8, 12 noon, and Tue, May 15, 1p LABOR HISTORY WALK: Sat, May 19, 10:00a IMAGES OF LABOR IN THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART: Tue, May 22; 1:00-2:00pm MOST EVENTS ARE FREE; see below for detailed event write-ups and links to purchase tickets or RSVP. |
AFL-CIO HEADQUARTERS TOUR

Wed, May 2, 12p – 1p; AFL-CIO, 815 16th Street NW, Washington DC
FREE but you must RSVP online here
This guided tour features stunning mosaics of marble, glass and gold that pay tribute to America's working families at the headquarters of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, or AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions. Also included in the tour: a historic Ralph Fasanella painting, lobby artwork and displays honoring key figures in American labor history.
FREE but you must RSVP online here
This guided tour features stunning mosaics of marble, glass and gold that pay tribute to America's working families at the headquarters of the American Federation of Labor and Congress of Industrial Organizations, or AFL-CIO, the largest federation of unions in the United States, made up of 56 national and international unions. Also included in the tour: a historic Ralph Fasanella painting, lobby artwork and displays honoring key figures in American labor history.
BEN SHAHN WPA FRESCOS/MURALS

Thu, May 10, 12 noon; VOA, 330 Independence Avenue, S.W., Washington, D.C. 20237
FREE but you must RSVP online here
Artist Ben Shahn’s stunning frescos -- “The Meaning of Social Security,” “Work, the Family, and Social Security” and “Child Labor, Unemployment, and Old Age” -- are as vibrant and meaningful today as when he created them in 1942. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see these amazing artworks up close. Special bonus: Philip Guston’s huge mural “Reconstruction and the Wellbeing of the Family,” which is not a part of the usual general public tour. Led by Ron Carver.
Led by Ron Carver. Thanks also to George Mackenzie at VOA
VOA is at 330 Independence Ave., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20237 but Please enter the building through the entrance on C Street. C Street is on the opposite side of the building from Independence Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets. Tours begin in the lobby of the C Street entrance.
FREE but you must RSVP online here
Artist Ben Shahn’s stunning frescos -- “The Meaning of Social Security,” “Work, the Family, and Social Security” and “Child Labor, Unemployment, and Old Age” -- are as vibrant and meaningful today as when he created them in 1942. Don’t miss this rare opportunity to see these amazing artworks up close. Special bonus: Philip Guston’s huge mural “Reconstruction and the Wellbeing of the Family,” which is not a part of the usual general public tour. Led by Ron Carver.
Led by Ron Carver. Thanks also to George Mackenzie at VOA
VOA is at 330 Independence Ave., S.W. Washington, D.C. 20237 but Please enter the building through the entrance on C Street. C Street is on the opposite side of the building from Independence Avenue between 3rd and 4th Streets. Tours begin in the lobby of the C Street entrance.
THE SWEAT OF THEIR FACE: PORTRAYING AMERICAN WORKERS (NEW!)

Tue, May 8, 12 noon, and Tue, May 15, 1p, National Portrait Gallery, 8th St NW & F St NW, Washington, DC 20001 FREE but space is limited and you must RSVP here:
May 8: May 15
Special LaborFest tours of “The Sweat of Their Face” exhibit, which combines art and social history with representations of American laborers across genres and centuries of art.
Artists such as Winslow Homer, Dorothea Lange, Elizabeth Catlett and Lewis Hine depict laborers throughout the changing landscape of America; from child and slave laborers to miners, railway and steel workers, to the modern gradual disappearance of the worker.
Approximately 75 objects in all media (including video) highlight a point of connection between the artists and their predominately anonymous subjects.
May 8: May 15
Special LaborFest tours of “The Sweat of Their Face” exhibit, which combines art and social history with representations of American laborers across genres and centuries of art.
Artists such as Winslow Homer, Dorothea Lange, Elizabeth Catlett and Lewis Hine depict laborers throughout the changing landscape of America; from child and slave laborers to miners, railway and steel workers, to the modern gradual disappearance of the worker.
Approximately 75 objects in all media (including video) highlight a point of connection between the artists and their predominately anonymous subjects.
LABOR HISTORY WALK (Canceled due to rain)

Sat, May 19, 10:00a; meet at AFL-CIO, 815 16th Street NW, Washington
$11 per person donation benefits Jews United for Justice.
Sign up online here
From the Labor Hall of Fame to Joe Hill’s ashes, worker’s history is around just about every corner in our nation’s capital, if you know where to look. This 3-hour walking tour of downtown DC reveals labor’s often-untold story of protest and resistance. Library of Congress Steward Director for AFSCME Local 2910 and librarian David Fernández-Barrial. NOTE: it's an easy 2.5-mile walk but wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.
Tour highlights: AFL-CIO lobby murals; 1953 CIO headquarters; The Real Roosevelt Memorial; Joe Hill’s ashes; Bas relief depictions of labor & trade; 1895 Knights of Labor HQ; Bonus Expeditionary Force & more.
$11 per person donation benefits Jews United for Justice.
Sign up online here
From the Labor Hall of Fame to Joe Hill’s ashes, worker’s history is around just about every corner in our nation’s capital, if you know where to look. This 3-hour walking tour of downtown DC reveals labor’s often-untold story of protest and resistance. Library of Congress Steward Director for AFSCME Local 2910 and librarian David Fernández-Barrial. NOTE: it's an easy 2.5-mile walk but wear comfortable walking shoes and dress for the weather.
Tour highlights: AFL-CIO lobby murals; 1953 CIO headquarters; The Real Roosevelt Memorial; Joe Hill’s ashes; Bas relief depictions of labor & trade; 1895 Knights of Labor HQ; Bonus Expeditionary Force & more.
IMAGES OF LABOR IN THE NATIONAL GALLERY OF ART

Tue, May 22; 1:00-2:00pm; 6th & Constitution Ave NW, Washington, DC 20565
FREE but space is limited and you must RSVP here
Senior Lecturer David Gariff (right) explores the portrayal of work and workers in classic paintings from the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Works by Joseph M.W. Turner, George Caleb Bingham, Winslow Homer, Thomas Eakins, and George Bellows will be featured.
FREE but space is limited and you must RSVP here
Senior Lecturer David Gariff (right) explores the portrayal of work and workers in classic paintings from the permanent collection of the National Gallery of Art. Works by Joseph M.W. Turner, George Caleb Bingham, Winslow Homer, Thomas Eakins, and George Bellows will be featured.
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