Mitchell Hall Murals
Mitchell Hall Murals
Artwork and Artists
Mural Un Pueblo Sin Murales Demuralizado
Updated by: Juan Pineda
Originally by: Renato and Carlos Salazar
- About the Artwork
Located at 1817 Adams Mill Road NW in Adams Morgan, the original mural was painted in 1977 by Chilean brothers Renato and Carlos Salazar. The name of the mural, “Mural Un Pueblo Sin Murales Demuralizado”, translates as a play on words to mean “A People Without Murals is a Demoralized People.”
The Salazar brothers came up with a “paint-by-numbers” method to get the community involved. The Adams Morgan neighborhood was one of the first Latinx communities in D.C., but it was also one of the first to undergo gentrification. Overtime, gentrification has destroyed and threatened many murals in Adams Morgan. “Mural Un Pueblo Sin Murales Demuralizado” has had its fair share of trials until being restored in the early 2000s. Juan Pineda was selected to revitalize the mural. It remains a symbol for the Latino community of D.C.
Image courtesy of Juan Pineda.
Alma Indigena
By: Victor Quinonez
- About the Artwork
Artist and Artwork Description in Progress.
Salt Dome
By: Coby Kennedy
- About the Artwork
Located at 3800 Fort Drive NW, “Salt Dome” is a unique mural that shows scenes breaking through the wall. The piece was completed in 2013 by Coby Kennedy.
Kennedy was a D.C. native who went on to study at Pratt for undergrad and Columbia for his MFA. A lot of Kennedy’s work challenges American cultural realities. Everything from racism and gentrification to commentary on the judicial system, Kennedy makes his voice known through art.
Image courtesy of Coby Kennedy.
Libritos
By: Frederico Frum
- About the Artwork
Artist and Artwork Description in Progress.
Neptune
By: Jeff Huntington and Juan Pineda
- About the Artwork
Located at 81 Seaton Place NW, the “Neptune Mural” was created by Jeff Huntington and Juan Pineda in 2019. Depicting the roman god of the sea, Neptune, the green and gray muted figure stands out against the vibrant backdrop.
Jeff Huntington is a Filipino American artist who co-founded the non-profit, Future History Now. The non-profit created murals with kids in order to get them more involved in art and their communities. Juan Pineda is a D.C. based artist who specializes in blending urban-contemporary and street art graffiti styles.
Image courtesy of Jeff Huntington and Juan Pineda.
Red
By: Bisco Smith
- About the Artwork
In the Union Market District at 405 Morse Street NE, Bisco Smith painted “RED” in 2019. This project was supported by the AIDS organization as a part of PAINT (RED) SAVES LIVES campaign. Their project was meant to bring awareness to the community about AIDS. By adding the words, “In This Together,” Smith wanted his mural to be a reminder for not just AIDs awareness but also how everyone can be united against conflict and turmoil.
Bisco Smith’s art uses music as the method and muse. His mostly black and white color palette is accentuated by abstract gestures and text. Smith’s art aims to inspire future possibilities.
Image courtesy of Bisco Smith.
Nourishing and Flourishing with Delight
By: Eric Brometheus
- About the Artwork
On Maya Angelou Charter School, at 5600 East Capitol Street NE, “Nourishing and Flourishing with Delight” creates a vibrant image. Painted by Eric Brometheus in 2019, Maya Angelou is the center figure surrounded by a halo of geometric patterns to convey her empowering experience.
Eric Brometheus was born in Liberia and immigrated with his family in 1990. He has practiced with many mediums before landing on street art. His geometric patterns stick out as a unique symbol to each site.
Image courtesy of Eric Brometheus.
Frederick Douglass #2
By: Aniekan Udofia
- About the Artwork
Frederick Douglass #2 is located near Douglass’s old house at 2200 16th Street SE. Completed by Aniekan Udofia in 2018, the mural is the second Douglass mural by Udofia. The first is at 1640 Good Hope Road SE on the side of Bread for the City.
Aniekan Udofia was born in Washington, D.C. and is well known for his street art and watercolor paintings depicting historical figures. He spent much of his childhood in Nigeria before returning to D.C. Udofia initially wanted to be a comic book illustrator before moving into larger scale art. He approaches each mural as specific to the community. Udofia thinks about the narrative being portrayed to gain a deeper connection with his views.
Image courtesy of Aniekan Udofia.