In partnership with local curators Get Flee Marketplace & Neighbors DC, we filled the once thriving Urban Outfitters space with rotating vendors, makers, and small shop entrepreneurs of all genres. The local arts community is also featured in the space, exclusively on street level. The inagural installation included @tabibonney @artbyhibaa & @ramona.m.art. @scio_eye

The MLK Block Party of 2024 over 40,000 people for #DCArtAllNight inside the iconic MLK Library and on G Street NW between 9th and 10th Street NW; double the amount of people from last year. Take a look at our recap featuring one of our Artist in Residence Alumnus Brian Baliey who curated the Art Gallery alongside Tabi Boney’s exhibit in the Grand Lobby entitled L’ Amour D’ Afrique: The Love of Africa

INFINITY & Beyond is a homage to Black Women’s creativity and care. Through the literal and metaphorical lens of Jada Imani M, its avant-garde presentation of Black hair acknowledges the scandalous creativity of Black hair artists in her community and the women who proudly fashion these hairstyles. The Black Hair Show, a cultural tradition within the African American community which often operates outside of the white gaze, is honored through this presentation of images.

"Might As Well” is an inaugural solo exhibit by Brian Bailey (b. 1991), a self-taught multifaceted artist whose journey began at an early age. Drawing inspiration from his professional endeavors as a creative lead at a renowned national park, Brian has seamlessly translated his expertise into the realm of painting, bringing forth a unique abstract style that breathes new life into the DC art scene.

Over the past three years, Uzo Njoku (b. 1996) has dedicated her artistic focus to creating structural paintings capturing the essence of various communities, collectively termed as her "Neighborhood Series." The inception of this series involved portraying row houses in Washington, DC, where Uzo brought vibrancy to her art by depicting people from displaced communities in the city.

Kid Balloon's artistry is an ode to joy, a vibrant manifesto that calls us to "Celebrate Yourself/Celebrate Life." Through his dynamic exploration of mixed mediums, he embraces a scientific curiosity, blending unconventional materials to craft works that resonate with cultural significance. Each balloon character he creates draws inspiration from real people, inviting viewers to find a reflection of themselves within the canvas of celebration.

Brandy "Blu" Murphy who is a mixed media artist, educator, and photographer residing in the Washington, D.C. area. This series is a tribute to the black community and celebrates the essence, beauty, and magic of this resilient and often undervalued group of people. The focal point of each piece is a photographic portrait of Blu’s muse(s).

As a young child born and raised in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, Laurenee Gauvin was inspired by her father’s artistic passions. At the age of 4, Laurenee began sketching on sticky notes and would later sell them to her family and friends. At that moment, Laurenee had a desire to expand her passion and begin her creative journey. At the age of 14, Laurenee relocated from Haiti to the United States; Maryland became her new home.

"Black people are at the forefront of all cultural movements. I wanted this collection to celebrate our joy rather than paint images that uphold tropes associated with identity. Young entrepreneurs are tackling obstacles differently in professional realms. We are the wayshowers who no longer tolerate demeaning behaviors.”

“Remember? Remember.” artist Lex Marie’s first solo exhibition consists of a series of 15 paintings and 2 art installations, in between two locations, exploring the idea that one can restore lost memories through the act of storytelling. She addresses the impact that the erasure of personal histories through gentrification, generational trauma and memory loss can have on oneself.