The Gallery of Southwest
The Gallery of Southwest celebrates local Southwest heroes, community spaces, and the unique architectural landscape, bringing the past, present, and future into one shared space. As part of the visual fabric, its narrative bolsters a deep sense of Southwest pride. These murals are more than just art; they are a testament to our community’s spirit, diversity, and boundless imagination.
#GalleryofSW
Thank you to the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities for funding this project.
RoMiMoSa: Rodrigo Pradel, Michael Pacheco, Monica Tucker-Harley, and Sarah Berry
SWDC Past, Present and Future
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.
@rodrigopradel
@pachecostudio
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Ham and Cheese Studio – Chelsea Henery and Sami Seezox
Community Garden
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.
Chelsea Ritter-Soronen
By the Pond
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.
CRI
CULTURA
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.
Jesse Kirsch — No Plan
SW
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.
Jarrett Ferrier
SWDC – Many Parts to the Whole
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.
Rose Jaffe
Peak Bloom
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.
Kaliq Crosby
Southwest Soldiers
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.
Luther Wright
Jazz Cats
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.
Sasha Primo
Dorothy
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.
David Carmack Lewis
Deadrise
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.
