Social Media Star BLCKSMTH To Hold Workshops During Residency At MCC

MCLEAN, VA — Michael James Schneider, a writer and artist who lives in Portland, Oregon, and goes by the handle BLCKSMTH on Instagram, will have a weeklong residency at McLean Community Center where he will hold workshops with community groups.

BLCKSMTH creates quirky and thought-provoking content on his Instagram account, which has more than 600,000 followers. In the bio on his Instagram account, BLCKSMTH writes, “A smile is like a hug with your mouth.”

During his residency from Monday, March 27 through Saturday, April 1, Schneider will hold conversations with groups, including seniors, teens, families, retirees and veterans, about what brings the community together, how to lift one another up, and how to creatively express oneself.

The workshops are free and open to the public, and registration is not required. Participants are free to choose the workshops they would like to attend.

The workshops will expose the funny, the clever and the off-the-wall thoughts of each community group participants’ combined efforts while leaving the things that divide — politics, beliefs and “Does pineapple really belong on pizza?” — at the door, according to McLean Community Center.

A quote from the workshop will be installed inside MCC in BLCKSMTH’s unique graphic design style, which include balloons and LED lights, and posted across social media platforms with the hashtag #BLCKSMTHxMCC.

McLean Community Center is located at 1234 Ingleside Ave. in McLean. Here's a schedule of the workshops with BLCKSMTH:

BLCKSMTH X Community Leaders Workshop

• Monday, March 27, 7 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at MCC
• Hosted by the MCC Governing Board

BLCKSMTH X Families Workshop

• Tuesday, March 28, 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. at MCC
• Hosted by the Safe Community Coalition

BLCKSMTH X Millennials and Young Professionals Workshop

• Wednesday, March 29, 8 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. at MCC

BLCKSMTH X Teen Workshop

• Thursday, March 30, 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at OFC
• Hosted by Old Firehouse After School Program

BLCKSMTH X McLean Community Center Gallery Pop Up

• Thursday, March 30, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. at MCC

BLCKSMTH X Retirees Workshop

• Friday, March 31, 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at MCC
• Hosted by MCC Seniors in Action Program

BLCKSMTH X Veterans Workshop

• Friday, March 31, 4 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. at MCC