The Department of Public Works (DPW) MuralsDC project completed three mural projects this week in the Shaw and 16th Street Heights neighborhoods. Images of the work can be viewed on the project’s redesigned Website at muralsdcproject.com. The site features images of every mural painted since the program began in 2007, videos, artist information, and a map locator to connect citizens to more than 50 murals in every ward of DC.

DPW has worked with the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities and widely recognized artists as a tool to complement its graffiti abatement efforts for almost a decade. Work on the final original mural for the season will begin this week.

“DPW is committed to keeping our corridors not just clean but graffiti free,” said DPW Director Chris Shorter. “We’re excited to be able to revitalize some of our most vandalized areas and to also shine a spotlight on a few of our many amazing local artists.”

All four walls where original murals have been (or will be) painted this season have been targets of unauthorized graffiti. The mural concepts were designed to be inspirational and celebratory.

The mural “From DC to the World,” painted by Cita Sadeli “Chelove,” is located in a formerly graffiti-plagued alley at 637 T Street, NW, across from what was once a famous pool hall that inspired “Duke” Elllington. The mural features portraits of several DC natives: legendary singer/actress Pearl Bailey, composer Duke Ellington, rappers Wale and Oddisee, and R&B vocalist Kelela. The mural also includes a nod to some of DC’s beloved GoGo musicians.

“This mural is all about honoring DC icons and recognizing future legends,” said Chelove.

“Sisterhood and Service” was painted at 4411 14th Street, NW on a building owned by a chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha (AKA)—the oldest African American sorority. Artists Kate DeCiccio and Rose Jaffe spent weeks developing stencils and using them to create photo like images of the women featured in the mural.

“We find our mural to be truly a live product—it shows our founders and members in a way that is engaging and realistic,” said Amy Jones, building owner and AKA sorority member. “The graffiti that we have had to deal with for the past several years is gone. This gives gangs a wall that represents a positive statement.”

MuralsDC also partnered with Shaw Main Streets, Inc. and DCCAH to create art on tagged ramps at the Shaw Skate Park at 11th Street and Rhode Island Avenue, NW, with original designs by the project’s lead artist Sydney Buffalow.

Artist Eric B. Ricks will install the final original mural of the year at 1613 Rhode Island Avenue, NE, with a creation titled “Birdsong” inspired by the famous poet Rumi’s poem of the same title. Celebrated DC muralists Aniekan Udofia and Cory Stowers will close out the season by restoring two of their historic murals in Anacostia at 1640 Good Hope Road, SE and 2740 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd, SE respectively.

MuralsDC Schedule for October 2016: Week of October 17: Mural development begins at 1613 Rhode Island Avenue, NE.

Week of October 24: Restoration of Frederick Douglass Mural at 1640 Good Hope Road, SE Week of October 24: Restoration of “Many Voices, Many Beats, One City” mural at 2740 Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard, SE

October Artists:

Sydney Buffalow

Sydney Buffalow is a sustainable artist born and residing in Washington, DC. She has a background in ceramics, sculpture and textiles and is best known for her functional sculptures and collages made from repurposed items, discarded materials and other industrial waste.

Eric B. Ricks

Originally from Liberia, Eric is a celebrated muralist and sustainable arts creative. Ricks explored traditional canvas painting with oil and acrylic mediums before immersing himself in the culture and aesthetics of the aerosol street art scene. Cory Stowers A leading expert on the DC graffiti scene, Stowers studied graphic design at the Art Institute of Washington, where he combined his experience as a graffiti writer with his marketing and design skills.

Aniekan Udofia

One of the DC’s most well-known visual artists, Aniekan is the artist behind such well known DC public art works as the Frederick Douglass mural in Anacostia, the Marvin Gaye murals in Shaw, the Duke Ellington building mural, and the gagged George Washington mural on U Street, NW.

Visit MuralsDC at muralsdcproject.com, follow us on Twitter @Murals_DC and on Instagram at Muralsdc, or email us at [email protected].