(Washington, DC) - As conceived by City Administrator Dan Tangherlini, the

D.C. Office of Property Management (OPM) and the DC Commission on the Arts &

Humanities (CAH) have arranged for artists to paint the windows boarded-up

in the aftermath of the tragic Eastern Market fire.  The first window will

be painted on Sunday, Market Day, by scenery artists from the

Shakespeare Theatre Company.

"It is important that the Eastern Market structure remain connected to the

community," said OPM Director Lars Etzkorn.  "While the fire is still

tragically evident, decorating the boards is a demonstration by artists of

their desire to support the rebuilding of this treasure."

"We are pleased that D.C. artists will help the Capitol Hill community and

the District start to recover from the tragedy," added Tony Gittens, CAH

Executive Director. "Eastern Market is a treasure that set designers can

help animate."

OPM, the District agency responsible for Eastern Market, arranged for the

scaffolding this weekend.  The other windows will be decorated as soon as

the work areas can be made safe.