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In the News

Closer Inspection: Connections to the past

Local artists drew inspiration from D.C.’s roots to create art in these old police and fire emergency call boxes. — Sally Dadisman

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At Kalorama Road and Tracy Place, artist Peter Waddell paints some of the area’s notable female residents: Madame Chiang Kai-Shek, who lobbied for support of Nationalist China; and first ladies Eleanor Roosevelt, Lou Henry Hoover and Edith Galt Wilson. The common thread among many of the artistic boxes is a link to each area’s rich history — something Waddell focused on when creating art for his nine boxes.“They get to the heart of living in Washington,” Waddell said.“It’s our ... proximity to the past that fascinates me.”

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

In this box at Hobart and Mount Pleasant streets, artist Michael K. Ross depicts the city’s old trolley line circa early 1900s. The trolley stopped in Mount Pleasant, making the area a popular place to live, Ross says. The box is one of nine in the neighborhood.

In this box at Hobart and Mount Pleasant streets, artist Michael K. Ross depicts the city’s old trolley line circa early 1900s. The trolley stopped in Mount Pleasant, making the area a popular place to live, Ross says. The box is one of nine in the neighborhood.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Decades ago, red call boxes were used in case of fires; blue ones connected police officers with their precincts. Eventually, the boxes became obsolete, but they were too heavy to move and were left to deteriorate. According to Cultural Tourism DC, 145 boxes have been redone as art in neighborhoods such as Forest Hills, McLean Gardens, Tenleytown and Dupont Circle in Northwest.

Decades ago, red call boxes were used in case of fires; blue ones connected police officers with their precincts. Eventually, the boxes became obsolete, but they were too heavy to move and were left to deteriorate. According to Cultural Tourism DC, 145 boxes have been redone as art in neighborhoods such as Forest Hills, McLean Gardens, Tenleytown and Dupont Circle in Northwest.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

The box at 39th Street and Windom Place in Tenleytown features a reproduction of Lena Frumin’s original painting of The Rest, the neighborhood’s oldest residence, which sits nearby. The home was designated a D.C. Landmark in 1960.

The box at 39th Street and Windom Place in Tenleytown features a reproduction of Lena Frumin’s original painting of The Rest, the neighborhood’s oldest residence, which sits nearby. The home was designated a D.C. Landmark in 1960.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

In this box at Decatur Place and 22nd Street (one of 16 in Sheridan-Kalorama), Ross’s statue depicts a policeman on his beat. Ross estimates that he spent about 18 months on his call box projects, including researching local history, before creating his pieces.

In this box at Decatur Place and 22nd Street (one of 16 in Sheridan-Kalorama), Ross’s statue depicts a policeman on his beat. Ross estimates that he spent about 18 months on his call box projects, including researching local history, before creating his pieces.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Ross, 35, contributed bronze sculptures to a dozen call boxes in Mount Pleasant and Sheridan-Kalorama. “This made me a part of my neighborhood; I was a participant, not just an observer,” said Ross, who lived in Mount Pleasant but is now based in San Francisco.

Ross, 35, contributed bronze sculptures to a dozen call boxes in Mount Pleasant and Sheridan-Kalorama. “This made me a part of my neighborhood; I was a participant, not just an observer,” said Ross, who lived in Mount Pleasant but is now based in San Francisco.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

At Wyoming Avenue and 23rd Street, Waddell’s painting features presidents Warren G. Harding, William Howard Taft, Herbert Hoover, Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt, all of whom lived in the area.

At Wyoming Avenue and 23rd Street, Waddell’s painting features presidents Warren G. Harding, William Howard Taft, Herbert Hoover, Woodrow Wilson and Franklin D. Roosevelt, all of whom lived in the area.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Local artist Arlette Jassell says she spent a few days people-watching to draw inspiration for her piece at R and 21st streets, which depicts the bustle of activity around the Dupont Circle fountain: people playing chess, relaxing and using the park as a shortcut.

Local artist Arlette Jassell says she spent a few days people-watching to draw inspiration for her piece at R and 21st streets, which depicts the bustle of activity around the Dupont Circle fountain: people playing chess, relaxing and using the park as a shortcut.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

Dupont Circle’s 22 boxes fall under the theme: “Diverse Visions | One Neighborhood.” Many focus on the circle’s fountain, including this box at Massachusetts Avenue and 18th Street, featuring a photo by D.C. resident Colin Winterbottom.

Dupont Circle’s 22 boxes fall under the theme: “Diverse Visions | One Neighborhood.” Many focus on the circle’s fountain, including this box at Massachusetts Avenue and 18th Street, featuring a photo by D.C. resident Colin Winterbottom.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

At Mount Pleasant Street and Park Road, Ross sculpted Civil War casualties arriving at Mount Pleasant Hospital. “This peaceful neighborhood was in the middle of tumultuous human drama,” Ross says.

At Mount Pleasant Street and Park Road, Ross sculpted Civil War casualties arriving at Mount Pleasant Hospital. “This peaceful neighborhood was in the middle of tumultuous human drama,” Ross says.

Benjamin C. Tankersley / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

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