Asphalt art is popping up at intersections from Logan Circle to Mount Pleasant

As part of a safety and mobility study, the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) is putting up art installations at intersections in an area stretching north from Logan Circle through Columbia Heights and Mount Pleasant.

The project includes five curb extensions adorned with colorful asphalt murals, each designed by a different artist. One mural was recently completed, and the four others are set to be implemented this summer.

The murals are being installed alongside a broader safety project that includes 30 “tactical safety improvements” that are currently under consideration, with a survey open through July 15. In addition to the art, five other immediate install projects are planned — a full map is available on DDOT’s project page.

Here’s a sneak preview of the art you’ll start seeing around the area this summer:

14th Street and Meridian Place NW

This art installation by Rosy Sunshine Galvan is inspired by a poem by poet Mazaré inspired by Vision Zero.

Crew! The 14th & Meridian mural is complete. Our mural’s poet Mazaré (right) who inspired this design by Rosy Sunshine (middle) stopped by on a surprise visit right as we were finishing up! We’ll be recording her performing her poem soon and are so eager to share with you pic.twitter.com/kLDTEimNrj

— Chalk Riot (@chalkriot) June 22, 2021

The mural, completed last week, is part of an intersection safety improvement that includes green bicycle crossing pavement markings and curb bump-outs.

11th and Lamont St NW

This mural by artist Trap Bob is designed to honor NASA’s first Black female engineer, Mary W. Jackson. The project will also include new green bike crossings and yellow center lines.

8th and V St NW

Artist Luther Wright designed this mural to celebrate U Street’s history as “Black Broadway” with an emphasis on DC’s jazz scene. The mural installation will be accompanied by high visibility crosswalks, bike lane markings, and center lines as well as parking restrictions.

18th and Newton St NW

Artist Cesar Maxit calls this a “streetpaper” design that “pays homage to the indigenous people and plants of the Rock Creek area adjacent to the intersection,” according to the project web page. The design will cover curb bump-outs on all four corners and come with parking restrictions.

15th and Church St NW

This design by Chalk Riot and Chelsea Ritter Soronen celebrates artist Alma Thomas, who lived near the intersection. According to DDOT’s website, the zipper mural is a nod to Thomas’ fashion design.