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.

By the People Festival: At the inaugural By the People festival, created by the start-up incubator Halcyon House, artists will cover the District with yarn (as in Stacy Cantrell’s yarn-bomb at the Parks at Walter Reed), light (Nick Cave’s “Untitled” projection at Washington National Cathedral), fabric

After their highly successful partnership in 2017 on Philip Glass’s The Fall of the House of Usher, Wolf Trap Opera and Halcyon reunite to present Kurt Weill and Bertholt Brecht’s The Seven Deadly Sins on Saturday, June 23 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, June 24 at 1 p.m. This stunning new production will take place at Dock 5 at Union Market, one of D.C

What’s the best way to disrupt divisiveness?

Now that Caps fever is winding down, it’s time for a D.C. takeover of quite another sort. No, not just a wave of humidity. But if you want to beat the humidity and get a serious shot of culture, check out the inaugural By the People Arts Festival happening at sites all over D.C. June 21 through 24.

Key story highlights:

WASHINGTON, June 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Halcyon today 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.

By The People's satellite event CROCHET JAM @ TRANSFORMER mentioned in the DCist!