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Exploring Public Art and Murals in NoMa
Photo Credit: @noma.bid
Q: Why is NoMa known for its public art?
A: NoMa has earned the nickname “The Mural Capital of D.C.” Over the past decade, more than 150 murals and installations have transformed the neighborhood’s walls, underpasses, and park spaces. What began as a creative placemaking effort has grown into a defining part of NoMa’s identity—turning once-industrial blocks into an open-air gallery that residents and visitors experience every day.
Q: How did the art initiative start, and who’s behind it?
A: The movement was launched by the NoMa Business Improvement District (NoMa BID) in collaboration with local property owners, developers, and the NoMa Parks Foundation, a nonprofit created to expand public space in the area. Around 2015, as NoMa’s residential growth accelerated, the BID commissioned murals to make new developments feel more human-scaled and connected. The BID continues to fund and curate new installations each year through artist calls, partnerships, and event programming like the NoMa in Color Mural Festival.
Q: Where can I see the art in person?
A: Murals line many of NoMa’s main streets, with especially vibrant clusters along the Metropolitan Branch Trail, Alethia Tanner Park, and First Street NE. The walls beneath the K Street Underpass and the M Street Underpass feature large-scale, light-based installations that glow at night. These projects are easy to explore on foot or by bike, and many are part of self-guided routes offered by NoMa BID and local art groups.
Q: What are some must-see works?
A: Start with the glowing underpass installations—Lightweave (L Street NE, designed by FUTUREFORMS) and Rain (M Street NE, designed by Thurlow Small Architecture + NIO architecten). Along the Metropolitan Branch Trail you’ll also find large-scale murals and public-art stops. Alethia Tanner Park also has a host of vibrant pieces.
Q: Who are some of the artists behind NoMa’s murals?
A: The district’s art program has drawn both local and international talent.
* Cita Sadeli (CHELOVE) brings bold female portraits that celebrate cultural heritage and empowerment.
* Aniekan Udofia, one of D.C.’s best-known muralists, is recognized for his comic-style realism and social themes.
* Tammi Barnes - Known for work that honors Indigenous and ancestral roots, Barnes’s mural for NoMa in Color 2025 highlights the balance between nature and city life.
* Anthony Dihle– A DC designer and typographic artist, Dihle’s contributions include large-scale works that combine hand lettering with street-style graphics.
Q: How can I find a map or take a tour?
A: The NoMa BID Public Art Map is the best place to start. It lists mural locations, artist names, and installation dates, and it’s regularly updated as new works appear. For a more immersive experience, DC Mural Tour offers guided walking and biking tours that include NoMa and Union Market, complete with background stories on the artists and themes. The BID also posts self-guided walking routes and festival updates on its events page.
Q: Are there festivals or events tied to the murals?
A: Yes. The annual NoMa in Color Mural Festival invites local and international artists to paint new large-scale works each spring and fall, adding to the neighborhood’s evolving collection. The event often overlaps with community gatherings, pop-up concerts, and walking tours. It’s a lively way to watch the city’s art scene unfold in real time.
Q: How do residents experience the art day to day?
A: The murals are more than backdrops—they’re part of everyday navigation and identity. Locals use them as meeting points (“by the mural under the bridge”) and beloved landmarks. The rotating works keep the neighborhood visually alive, and always evolving.
