A ribbon cutting marked the opening of a new art installation on 4th Street SW. Courtesy of SW BID
By Southwester Staff
On July 18, local leaders gathered to celebrate the opening of the Gallery of Southwest, a new art installation on 4th Street SW south of E Street SW. Eleven new murals decorate the underpass, with local artists celebrating Southwest icons, places and scenes. The project was funded by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and supported by the Southwest BID, which provided descriptions of each mural from the artists who created them. The murals are:
- SWDC Past, Present and Future, by RoMiMoSa: Rodrigo Pradel, Michael Pacheco, Monica Tucker-Harley, and Sarah Berry. The SWDC Past Present and Future mural features children skipping joyfully towards the viewers. To the children’s left are mementos of the predominantly Black community who resided and worked in SW before 30,000 people were displaced for urban renewal. To the children’s right is the Potomac River, where kayakers glide past the floating wetlands installed as part of a massive effort to ensure the District Wharf’s sustainability and protect the natural beauty of its surroundings for the future.
- Community Garden, by Ham and Cheese Studio, Chelsea Henery and Sami Seezox. This design is a love letter to the diverse and beautiful architecture that Southwest is known for, as well as the people and community that surround and inhabit it. Snails carry the buildings over the roots and leaves of hellebore flowers, which are often used as a symbol of duality, good and bad. We know that growth and progress can bring upheaval and disruption; nevertheless, flowers still bloom. The imagery holds these truths in a way that honors the past, present, and future of Southwest DC.
- By the Pond, by Chelsea Ritter-Soronen. This mural honors the spirited adoration of exploring the natural wonders of Southwest DC. The oversized flowers and greenery remind us that there is magic everywhere if only we are curious enough to find it.
- Cultura, by Cri. My art is a fusion of styles, stories and symbols that is unique. It is deeply inspired by the beauty and respect for Mayan and indigenous art. I share a love for geometric shapes, bold lines and color. It is a harmonious blend of tradition and artistic inspiration. All of these elements reflect the nature of the incredible community of SWBID: diverse, driven, inclusive, successful, and strong.
- SW, by Jesse Kirsch, No Plan. Playing with movement and echoing the constant flow of pedestrians, cyclists, and vehicles, an abstracted and refracted intertwined S and W form mirrors the diverse and spirited community that calls this neighborhood home. SW celebrates the harmony of those who live, work, and traverse this underpass, a vital connector and artery of the neighborhood.
- SWDC – Many Parts to the Whole by Jarrett Ferrier. A mosaic is an array of uniquely colored parts that come together to make the whole. In this instance, these parts represent the people of Southwest Washington, DC. Here, they have come together, with no parts missing, to form the whole of SWDC.
- Peak Bloom, by Rose Jaffe. This piece is a celebration of the multitudes of colors that weave the fabric of this community. The figures are vibrant and playful, existing in a whimsical space of blooming, blossoming, and creative joy. It shows the connections we hold with ourselves and the natural world around us, reminding us that we are one and the same.
- Southwest Soldiers, by Kaliq Crosby. The D.C. Library has hundreds of photographs by Joseph Owen Curtis, a Southwest native and historian who captured generations of everyday Washingtonians. One image features Alberta Turner and her son Edward “Bub Jasper” Turner, a Private in the DC High School Cadet Corps at the Annual High School Competitive Drill. This piece honors the commitment and sacrifices of African Americans and their embrace of new technology for good deeds globally. The design pays tribute to veterans in Navy Yard, Marine Barracks, Bolling Airforce Base, and beyond. The streetcar, which traveled along 4th Street SW, symbolizes the era’s modern transportation and the discovery of other neighborhoods, representing advancement and maturity for a young man and his journey to new experiences.
- Jazz Cats, by Luther Wright. Jazz Cats was born out of a deep appreciation for the thriving live music scene in Washington, DC. From iconic venues like Blues Alley and the 9:30 Club to the energetic performances of go-go bands and bucket boys, DC is undeniably one of the most eclectic places to experience live music. As a former musician myself, I understand the transformative power of falling into the zone while performing. This piece aims to capture that magical moment and the vibrant energy that permeates Washington, DC’s music scene.
- Dorothy, by Sasha Primo. The design features a portrait of Dorothy Height, a beloved African American civil rights leader and women’s rights activist. Dorothy lived in SW, just around the corner from this mural, from 1983 until her passing. Surrounding her are various symbols representing DC and the region, inviting viewers to discover them. The artwork celebrates the empowerment of local diversity, the collective memories, and the resilience of its people.
- Deadrise, by David Carmack Lewis. My father used to take me to the “Maine Avenue Fish Market” to buy freshly caught crabs and fish right off the boats. My grandfather had a similar boat, a deadrise, an iconic working boat of the region. On weekends, we’d go fishing ourselves. DC is a low slung, hidden sort of city from the water. Away from shore, I was mesmerized by the thin line of land between water and sky that barely changed until quite close to shore, with one single remarkable exception: the Washington Monument. This is my homage to those memories.