Art Studio and Coffee Bar, Creative Grounds, Coming to Bloomingdale

1822 North Capitol Street, NW

Ed. Note: This is the old Seaton Market.

January, 2014

From a press release:

“Husband and wife duo, Asmara Sium and Kenn Blagburn announced the opening of Creative Grounds DC. The couple’s new venture goes beyond the traditional coffee bar model to include a unique and fulfilling arts education program for kids, studio rental and exhibition space for artists. Located in the Bloomingdale neighborhood, Creative Grounds DC is a 2,000 sq ft facility that will host artists, art related events, rental space and a coffee bar.

The mission of Creative Grounds DC is to provide a welcoming community space for teaching, producing and showcasing art while serving great coffee. It’s a place where art lovers, creatives and coffee enthusiasts from all backgrounds and ages can connect, create and learn. The vision of Creative Grounds DC is to become the go-to destination for art-related events and exhibition space in the nation’s capital.

According to Kenn and Asmara, residents of the Bloomingdale community, “Bloomingdale has been a great place to raise our kids. The only missing piece has been more indoor organized activities for children.” ANC representative and Bloomingdale Civic Association 2nd Vice President, Bertha Holliday agrees, “Creative Grounds DC will address two of Bloomingdale’s major needs: more enriching organized activities for Bloomingdale’s increasing child population and a formal permanent space for galvanizing and promoting Bloomingdale’s unique arts and cultural communities.”

“Kenn and I are excited to open our space to the public in the Spring. Art is healing, transformative, and for children, the developmental benefits of arts practice serves as the basis for all learning,” owner Asmara said. “Creative Grounds DC is for children, families, artists, coffee lovers and through our partnerships with local schools and community organizations, it will truly be for everyone,” Kenn added. Asmara states “A space that can embrace and celebrate creativity and community requires a community effort; our crowdfunding campaign launches on February 13, 2017 and will give our community an opportunity to be part of this experience.”

Asmara and Kenn are also the proud parents of two, active elementary and middle school-aged children. A real estate broker, Kenn is an 8th generation Washingtonian, who having lived in various neighborhoods throughout Washington, DC has placed Bloomingdale in the top 3 best neighborhoods to live in. A former nonprofit professional, Asmara, is a first generation Eritrean American raised in Maryland.”