New outdoor gallery brings Southwest DC underpass to life

WASHINGTON ( DC News Now ) — If you are looking for public art to explore in D.C., a new outdoor art gallery is adding a pop of color to the Southwest community.

Featuring 11 murals, the Gallery of Southwest unveiled its new work of art honoring local Southwest heroes on July 18. The unique landscape gives the community a peek at the past, present, and future in one shared space – the Fourth Street underpass on E Street SW.

After more than three years in the making, the project was brought to life by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities and Southwest Business Improvement District (SWBID). Each work of art details a piece of the Southwest community while honoring its diversity.

Jessie Himmelrich, the Director of Public Space for SWBID said she hopes the new gallery is inspirational.

Murals that are featured in the Gallery of Southwest. (Photo Courtesy: SWBID)

“I think having 11 different artists allows for 11 different perspectives so that hopefully somebody finds something every time they walk through… you find something to connect with,” said Himmelrich.

Composed of snails and flowers, one piece, “Community Garden” takes on the representation of duality in the community. Featuring buildings that can be found across D.C., artists Chelsea Henery and Sami Seezox’s piece honors the lives of people in the neighborhood and where they live.

“We decided to highlight the buildings and architecture because it is a unique part of D.C. and buildings can also represent a timeline,” said Henery.

With highlights of pink, white, blue and shades of green, the “Community Garden” did just that.

But this is one piece of the puzzle.

“You’re not just seeing a few in a row, but it’s a whole piece almost in one,” said Seezox.

Here is the full list of the murals you can find at the Gallery of Southwest .

SWDC Past, Present and Future
By: RoMiMoSa: Rodrigo Pradel, Michael Pacheco, Monica Tucker-Harley, and Sarah Berry

With vibrant colors of orange, purple, pink, white, blue, and more, this piece captures the fun of children skipping. The mural also highlights the mementos of the Black community that worked in the Southwest community before they were displaced for urban renewal.

By the Pond
By: Chelsea Ritter-Soronen

This mural honors the natural wonders of Southwest, D.C. featuring oversized flowers and greenery. “The oversized flowers and greenery remind us that there is magic everywhere if only we are curious enough to find it,” said the Gallery of Southwest, on its website.

CULTURA
By: CRI

Taking on the complexity of shapes and sizes, “Cultura” honors indigenous art. With shades of pink, blue, and green, the synchronized blend reflects the nature of the community.

SW
By: Jesse Kirsch — No Plan

Intertwining the “S” and “W,” this mural reflects the harmony of the people who live, work, and use the underpass daily. The “SW” echoes the constant flow of cyclists, drivers, and pedestrians.

SWDC – Many PartsW to the Whole
By: Jarrett Ferrier

Bringing to life a mosaic array of unique colors, this mural represents the people of the Southwest community of the District.

Peak Bloom
By: Rose Jaffe

From artist Rose Jaffe, “Peak Bloom” showcases the vibrant and playful neighborhood. The people shown in the mural symbolize the Southwest’s space of booming and creating joy. It also highlights the connections people have with nature.

Southwest Soldiers
By: Kaliq Crosby

Capturing a Southwest native and historian who captured the day-to-day lives of Washingtonians, this mural honors the work of photographer Joseph Owen Curtis. With streaks of red, white, yellow, and black, the mural honors the commitment and sacrifices of African Americans. It pays tribute to Veterans in the Navy Yard, Marine Barracks, and more. The SWBID said the streetcar symbolizes modern transportation.

Jazz Cats
By: Luther Wright

While emphasizing the music scene in the District, artist Luther Wright takes viewers down the appreciation and history of Jazz in D.C. Featuring a snippet of bands, the mural honors bands, and musicians while capturing the energetic moments and emotions of music in Washington, D.C.

Dorothy
By: Sasha Primo

Known for her work during the Civil Rights Movement and for being a voice for the African American community, this piece honors the life of Dorothy Height . Not only was Height a trailblazer for women’s rights, but she lived around the corner from the mural in the Southwest community.

Deadrise
By: David Carmack Lewis

Sharing a moment from his childhood, artist David Carmack Lewis, recreated the memories of buying crabs and fish and going fishing with his dad. The painting highlights a boat on the water and the Washington Monument in the back.

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