In a time when connection, creativity, and public dialogue feel more essential than ever, CODAsummit 2025—The Intersection of Art, Technology, and Place—offered a powerful reminder of what art can do. Held in Washington, D.C., the three-day gathering brought together artists, commissioners, architects, designers, and cultural leaders who are reshaping how art lives in our shared spaces. It was an inspiring convergence of ideas and people—proof that collaboration and imagination remain some of the most vital forces we have.
The Summit began with an afternoon of unforgettable public art tours across Washington, D.C.—a fitting introduction to a city where monuments and modern works exist side by side. Attendees explored installations and projects that reflect the vibrancy and diversity of the capital’s creative landscape, from contemporary interventions to historic landmarks. Conversations unfolded on buses and sidewalks alike, setting the tone for three days of dialogue about how art activates public life.
Toni Sikes, CODAworx CEO and co-founder, officially welcomed the community during the opening night reception. Her words set the spirit of the Summit: a call to celebrate creativity as a force for connection and renewal, and to continue building the partnerships that make public art possible. Surrounded by artists, curators, and collaborators from across the country, the event carried a sense of optimism and shared purpose—marking the start of what would become three days of meaningful exchange and inspiration.
Thursday opened with welcoming remarks from Toni Sikes, CEO of CODAworx, and Aaron Myers, Executive Director of the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, grounding the event in the belief that art is an essential part of civic life.
The morning keynote by Ferdi Alıcı, Founder of OUCHHH Studio, explored the poetic potential of data and technology in public space—an unforgettable reminder that art and innovation can move people on a deeply human level.
Panels throughout the day highlighted how collaboration drives transformation:
Here, There, and Everywhere brought together cultural leaders from San Jose, San Antonio, and Kansas City to discuss the role of public art in shaping cities. Moderated by Jose dos Santos - Head of Design Americas, Signify.
Controversy, Context, and the Future of Public Monuments, moderated by Daniel Kunitz of Sculpture Magazine, invited artists and civic leaders to reflect on how to reimagine shared histories in contemporary form.
Midday, artist Gee Horton delivered an electrifying Creative Revolutionaries keynote, What Happens on Earth Stays on Earth. Known for his striking photorealistic murals, Horton spoke about memory, identity, and the responsibility of the artist to witness and reflect the world around them. His talk drew a standing ovation—a moment that encapsulated the emotional core of the Summit.
The day closed with the Emerging Artists Awards, sponsored by Epson, recognizing early-career artists whose work is shaping the future of the field. The evening’s terrace reception buzzed with conversation and possibility—a reflection of the connections that make CODAsummit unique.
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