—Tristan Krammel
Program Coordinator, The DC Arts Center’s Pen Pal Project
The AdMo
Pen Pals Project
Where Adams Morgan connects—one letter at a time.
“…an idea shot out from my unconscious and eclipsed all other thoughts: I wanted a pen pal. I desperately wanted to write a letter to someone nearby with the guarantee that they would read it. This used to be easy; now it is hard. I really wanted to make it easy again—not just for me, but for everyone.”
The AdMo
Pen Pals Project
Where Adams Morgan connects—one letter at a time.
“…an idea shot out from my unconscious and eclipsed all other thoughts: I wanted a pen pal. I desperately wanted to write a letter to someone nearby with the guarantee that they would read it. This used to be easy; now it is hard. I really wanted to make it easy again—not just for me, but for everyone.”
—
Tristan Krammel
Program Coordinator, The DC Arts Center’s Pen Pal Project
A home for correspondence and connection, where words become community.
About The DC Arts Center’s Pen Pal Project
The DC Arts Center Pen Pal Project is a neighborhood-based initiative that preserves the art of correspondence while fostering meaningful connection and dialogue within Adams Morgan. Rooted in place, the program brings together participants who share a relationship to this community, strengthening ties through intentional exchange.
In a moment when most forms of communication prioritize speed and distance, the Pen Pal Project offers an alternative—one grounded in presence, reflection, and care. Writing by hand invites a different kind of attention: one that values sincerity, patience, and thoughtful expression.
Participants are matched through a brief survey and receive a welcome letter at The DC Arts Center introducing them to their pen pal and outlining the structure of the exchange. From this first letter, a correspondence begins—one defined not by immediacy, but by anticipation and continuity.
The act of letter writing has long been recognized for its ability to build connections. The DC Arts Center Pen Pal Project reintroduces this practice as a means of cultivating a more engaged and connected neighborhood.
All materials are provided, and participants of all writing backgrounds are encouraged to take part.
“Distance is not necessarily bad, but we have enough of it. It’s time for something that asks us to be earnest, to be real.”
–
Tristan Krammel
Program Coordinator, The DC Arts Center’s Pen Pal Project
Introducing the
2026 Program Coordinator
AdMo Pen Pals Program Coordinator
Tristan Krammel
Tristan is an arts management M.F.A. student at American University with a background in English. He is interested in how cultural spaces can invite deeper forms of public engagement across diverse communities. He draws inspiration from art, literature, and everyday observation. His best days are spent outdoors with a camera and no particular destination.
