“Who’s going to be on the wall?” The frequently asked question along the U street corridor of Washington, DC, has been answered. MuralsDC, a graffiti prevention initiative of the Department of Public Works (DPW) in partnership with the Commission on the Arts and Humanities, will celebrate its first mural of the season at Ben’s Chili Bowl at 1213 U Street, NW, on Wednesday, June 21, at 12:00 pm. The mural design, which had been kept under wraps until the June 2nd first stroke ceremony, was conceptualized by one of DC’s best-known muralists, Aniekan Udofia. The design features 15 personalities and iconic images who have made, or are currently making, a profound impact on the District of Columbia. The portraits were selected by the community via an online contest initiated by the iconic eatery earlier this year, in which more than 30,000 votes were cast.

WHO: Chris Shorter, Director, DC Department of Public Works Arthur Espinoza, Executive Director, DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities Ben’s Chili Bowl and the Ali Family of Ben's Chili Bowl

WHAT: To Kick Off MuralsDC with a New Mural at Ben’s Chili Bowl

WHEN: Wednesday, June 21, 2017; 12:00 pm

WHERE: Ben’s Chili Bowl (in the alley) 1213 U Street, NW, Washington, DC

About MuralsDC

This year marks the 10th anniversary of MuralsDC, a graffiti abatement initiative funded by the DC Department of Public Works in cooperation with the DC Commission on the Arts. Using aerosol paint, MuralsDC projects provide local artists a responsible and legal means to exercise their artistic skill in a way that legitimizes graffiti as an art form, promotes community awareness and respect for public and private property.

About The Artist

Aniekan Udofia is a portrait artist known for his vibrant, large-scale paintings and murals. He achieved notoriety in DC for his towering murals of Duke Ellington, Marvin Gaye and the “No Taxation without Representation” mural featuring George Washington. Udofia produced Ben’s Chili Bowl's first mural, “Famous Faces,” with MuralsDC in 2012 and returns to create what is sure to be Ben’s next iconic mural.