The Bowser Administration completed the first of eight new murals at the West Education Campus DC Public School this week, as part of its MuralsDC collaborative with the Department of Public Works (DPW) and the Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH). With these new additions, a total of 70 MuralsDC murals will be in place by the end of summer.
 
“The MuralsDC program is an effective tool for preventing graffiti vandalism and a great way to support and sustain our city’s vibrant arts culture,” said DPW Director Christopher Shorter.  “We make sure that every mural captures the energy of the neighborhood it lives in and look forward to unveiling the new visual representations of our city and its history over the coming weeks.”
 
MuralsDC, funded by DPW, is one of several tools the agency employs to curb graffiti vandalism in the District. Since 2007, the program has installed nearly 80 murals in every ward of the District on building walls donated by commercial property owners or by the District government. Artists are invited to participate via an annual solicitation issued by CAH, which uses DPW’s funding to provide grants to artists who are ultimately matched with a wall. Commercial property owners can donate their wall year-round by sending a request for consideration to [email protected].
 
“These murals enhance the aesthetics of our neighborhoods and contribute to the District's diverse and vibrant community,” said CAH Interim Executive Director Angie Gates. “We’re excited to continue to contribute to the District’s creative economy and to provide a lucrative career path for young, local artists.”
 
The West Education Campus school is located in Ward 4. MuralsDC’s remaining projects will be installed in wards 1, 3 and 5 during August and September. The locations and artists are as follows:
 

 DPW provides essential city services in two distinct program areas: environmental services/solid waste management and parking enforcement. Both contribute to making District streets and public spaces clean, safe, attractive and accessible for all residents, businesses, commuters and visitors.