Artworks Now In The News

Aimee Olivo was named as the next executive director of Art Works Now, effective May 31.

She succeeds founding Executive Director Barbara Johnson. Johnson will assume the role of chair of the Board of Directors and current board chair Bill Shipp will stay on as vice chair.

Olivo is a dedicated community builder in Prince George’s County. She has served as Chief of Staff to Prince George’s County Council Member Dannielle Glaros, District 3, since 2014. Olivo was an active member of the Prince George’s Community College Board of Trustees advocating for equity and student success. She served on, and later chaired, the Prince George’s County Commission for Education Excellence. Olivo is deeply committed to equity and social justice issues and has extensive professional fundraising experience. She has a passion for the arts and a firm belief in the power of the arts to transform lives.

Olivo holds a Bachelor of Arts in political science with a minor in latin american studies from Trinity Washington University in Washington and a Master of Business Administration from Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia. She and her spouse, Abel, live in Cheverly with their two children, who attend Prince George’s County Public Schools.

“We are thrilled to announce that Aimee Olivo is joining Art Works Now in the role of Executive Director,” says founder, Barbara Johnson, who will be transitioning from Executive Director to a board leadership role as Chair of the Board of Directors.

As Barbara said, “This is an exciting time for us! Art Works Now is my heart and soul. I am incredibly proud of what we have done in our first 11 years. What began as a small and scrappy arts education nonprofit with only a dozen students has grown to support the creative lives of over 4,000 creators of all ages. I am excited about the gifts Aimee brings to our organization and I have no doubt that she will lead us into a future that builds on our past and opens new opportunities for our beloved community. I look forward to working with her in my new role as Chair of the Board.”

Aimee is a dedicated community builder in Prince George’s County who brings to us her deep commitment to equity and social justice issues along with extensive professional fundraising experience. She has a passion for the arts and a firm belief in the power of the arts to transform lives. “I’ve called Prince George’s County home for nearly two decades. During that time, I’ve committed my professional and volunteer work to building community engagement and working toward social justice and equity in this County that I love. I am eager to continue this work as Executive Director of Art Works Now along with the amazing community, staff, and Board. I’m thrilled Barbara will remain engaged as Chair of the Board and am grateful for her confidence in me as her successor,” said Aimee.

“The future of Art Works Now is bright and we are looking forward to continuing to offer engaging high-quality arts programming to our community of creators. And, as always, we appreciate your continued support and participation in our programs.”

The final Friday Art Walk went off without a hitch last Friday night, October 27, 2017. The Friday Art Walk initiative was a series of community events celebrating Hyattsville artists and businesses. Participants followed a glowing path through the alleys from Green Owl Design down to Art Works Now and back again. Local businesses like Pizza Paradiso and Satchmoe Art offered special discounts to participants, while other businesses hosted DIY craft events and pop-up gallery displays. The jazz band Brass Connection added a little rhythm to the streets with feel-good tunes. Don’t miss the fun next year and keep Hyattsville creative!

Art Works Now wants you to make the art, see the art, be the art at their fundraiser this Saturday. Dress as your favorite artist or work of art and raise money for area children at the annual Come As You Art Fall Fundraiser.

Sounds of children shrieking with delight are not unexpected in a neighborhood pizza joint. But at 4800 Rhode Island Ave. in Hyattsville, Maryland, the squeals are about more than melted cheese.

It sounds like an urban planner’s grand experiment: Artists and young creatives are drawn to a community with cheap rents and studios. Cool restaurants and bars follow. Living in the neighborhood starts to become desirable for young professionals, who attract more basic shops and services to the area.

Hyattsville is getting a new place for both food and art: A new Pizzeria Paradiso and, right next door, the non-profit Art Works Now , where everyone from children to seniors can learn and practice art. 

As the organization Art Works Now prepared for their new landmark home in Hyattsville, they teamed up with the building’s restaurant, Pizzeria Paradiso and Prince George’s Arts and Humanities Council to embellish the new restaurant space with “Master Pizzas” created by invited artists and arts organizations from the surrounding community.