The blue paint on the Washington National Cathedral’s steps is definitely deliberate.

Halcyon this week announced the final line-up of artists, performers, and speakers who will participate in the inaugural By The People festival, June 21-24. Washington’s largest international arts and dialogue festival will take place in every quadrant of the city, bringing people together around the themes of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

For the first time, a unique blend of international art and dialogue is coming to every quadrant of the city at once. Halcyon's four day "By The People" festival will take place from June 21-24 at various festival hubs, satellite locations and one-time event spaces throughout Washington, DC.

You know this by now: D.C. is a town of museums and public art that's free more often than not. But art in D.C. is still not accessible enough for Halcyon CEO Kate Goodall.

Thurs., June 21–Sun., June 24, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (until midnight on Sat., June 23)

Picnic Talks on the National Mall: 12 noon–1 p.m.

By WAMU's Mikaela Lefrak

If you stand outside Washington National Cathedral, you’ll see blue splotches covering its hundred-year-old steps. The paint starts at the Cathedral’s imposing front entrance, dribbles down the stone steps, and spreads like water across the sidewalk.

If you stand outside Washington National Cathedral, you’ll see blue splotches covering its hundred-year-old steps. The paint starts at the Cathedral’s imposing front entrance, dribbles down the stone steps, and spreads like water across the sidewalk.

For Evan Keeling, comics are more than a humorous pastime or even an artistic medium. The comic maker views his craft as a conduit for expression that is accessible enough to help those just finding their voice to tell their stories. 

For Evan Keeling, comics are more than a humorous pastime or even an artistic medium. The comic maker views his craft as a conduit for expression that is accessible enough to help those just finding their voice to tell their stories.

Washington’s inaugural arts and dialogue festival – will take place in every quadrant of the city, bringing people together around the themes of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. By the People is intended to promote empathy and spark civil discourse, building bridges across the cultural divide – exactly what we need at this moment in time. Halcyon is organizing the festival in association with the Smithsonian, numerous cultural organizations, government agencies and businesses.