Marco:Polo was a group show that I co-curated with a focus on art as a form of community action influenced by social realist principles and relational aesthetics.  As my contribution to the show, I created an online art community survey and in-person discussion groups to investigate the health of the DC Metro art scene and bolster community support, retain artists and keep in place art spaces during a time of real estate upheaval.  In the process, I developed several art questionnaires that I used during meetings with local art educators, gallery owners and collectors while trying to resource innovative ways to preserve the creative community.  All of my research was heavily documented and further utilized to host outside community-based get-togethers to foster peer support and resource-sharing, in addition to the show.