30 Stories for 30 Years: Spectacle and Message

Discover the Murals of Washington, D.C.

The "My Culture, Mi Gente" mural was painted by youth and community art organizer Joel Bergner in 2008. Have you ever been inspired by a mural in Washington, D.C. and wondered what it meant? "Murals of Washington, DC: Spectacle and Message" will provide a new online resource on murals painted in D.C. from1980 to 2010. The website will provide cultural and historical context for the urban art that that reflects and shapes our environment and enlivens all parts of our city.

The Humanities Council of Washington, DC recognizes the importance of art in our living environment. The art around us provides the backbeat that can define the aesthetic of a place. The upcoming web resource dedicated to D.C.'s murals and muralists is funded in part by a 30th Anniversary Special Grant from the Council.

The site will include images of the work, stories of the murals and/or their meaning, info on artists and sponsors, reception, and technical attributes of materials, styles, and installation. Commentary available on the site will relate the art to historical and cultural elements of the city, and each segment will contain links to additional explanatory material or resources.

Look for the exciting online resource to come out later in the year, and in the meantime keep enjoying those murals!

(PHOTO: "My Culture, Mi Gente" is located on the outside of the Latin American Youth Center.)