The current exhibit in the the Young Artists Gallery at Hill Center, is the work of the Eight & I Unit of the Young Marines. The Young Marines is a national youth program for boys and girls, ages eight through high school graduation, focused on leadership, citizenship through community service, self-discipline, and living a healthy, drug-free lifestyle. [youngmarines.org/public/page]. Ranging in age from 8 to 18, they train at the Marine Corps Barracks on 8th Street SE.
Casting about for fundraising ideas, their leader, Joe Garcia, hit upon creating a calendar and was soon connected with members of the Capitol Hill Art League (CHAL), a program of the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop (CHAW). It is important to Joe that the young Marines be well-versed in arts and culture as well as the traditional activities of camping, and marine related activities. Some young Marines discovered hidden talents, while others found lessons in patience as they worked through the art assignments.
The young artists met weekly with Rindy O’Brien, Rod Whyte and Kasse Andrews-Weller, for over three months, to explore a variety of art practices. Ebenezer’s Coffeehouse, a part of the National Community Church, provided free space for the Saturday workshops. They took a field trip to Union Station for the photography component; drew wild animals that live in DC using colored pencils and sharpie markers; experimented with iPhone or Android apps creating unique selfies and colorful abstract art; and created composite creatures (“scranimals”) by combining an animal with either an object or another animal.
They quickly generated far more work than can be included in a twelve-month calendar. They completed the project just in time to open their show, as an adjunct to the Military Veterans exhibit at Hill Center, during CHAL’s Capitol Hill Art Walk.
If you missed the Art Walk, the Young Marines’ work will continue on view at Hill Center, 921 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, until mid-November. Better still, you can purchase a 2026 calendar, designed by Christopher and Kyle Frost, and savor it throughout the coming year: [tinyurl.com/2026YMCalendar] And you’ll contribute to funding for future creative initiatives.
Can’t make it to Hill Center? Check out their virtual gallery: hillcenterdc.org/artist/young-marines/.
The Young Marines wish to thank Mary Jackson at Magdalene’s Custom Framing for providing mats for every one of the pieces in the show.
