The Corner Store

The Corner Store is a non-profit neighborhood art program with a mission to engage children in imaginative ways to improve the city of Washington, DC.  For the past 8 years, the work has centered primarily on children from Potomac Garden Public Housing, and features annual December art shows, plays, and video fairytales to counter violence and promote clean parks and streets.

Started in 1995 by Kris Swanson as E Street Studio, the work with the children also included daily after school meals, help with homework, art classes, field trips and neighborhood cleanup work.  In 2001, the old Couzzo grocery store on 900 South Carolina Avenue became a permanent home, and E Street Studio became the Corner Store to celebrate the new site!

In November 2002, the Corner Store became a nonprofit arts organization and board members Laurie Siegel, David Ruffin and Kris Swanson met to begin this new chapter.

For additional information on The Corner Store see:

• Miller, Nicole M., A Sculptor Who Shapes Young Artists' Minds: Classes Help Kids Create on Capitol Hill, Washington Post: p C05 (26 July 2001).