Ian Callender

First Generation Washingtonian and Southwest Waterfront resident, calls himself a cultural architect. Ian is a graduate from DeMatha Catholic High School in Hyattsville, MD, who studied Computer Engineering and Information Systems & Technology at Drexel University in Philadelphia, and a sneakerhead.
 
Ian is not only known for his sneakers but he is known for awakening empty buildings and vacant lots awaiting development by converting them into places that bring Washingtonians together to appreciate art, music, culture, and cocktails. He made an early splash reimagining the Historic Friendship Baptist Church at 700 Delaware Ave. SW as a technicolor community space known until recently as Blind Whino and now called Culture House DC. Even Diddy hosted an event there to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Bad Boy with a clothing pop-up in 2016.
 
Lately, Callender has been focused on growing his Sandlot brand. The container-based cultural arts and entertainment venue across from Nationals Park reopened last year on April 1st 2021. Followed by Sandlot Georgetown which opened May 6th 2021 and Sandlot Tysons which opened July 11th, 2021.
 
Callender plans to open Sandlot Anacostia in June of this year. Callender jokes that he’s “the most known unknown” changemaker in D.C. even though he was recognized in 2019 when he earned the Mayor’s Arts Award for Excellence in the Creative Industries. As a DC Native, Callender does his best to showcase and highlight what his depiction is of the real DC.