A New Canvas for the Capital

Three Washington D.C. high schools—Garnet-Patterson S.T.A.Y Opportunity Academy, Anacostia High School, and Coolidge High School—have created mural installations now displayed at CareFirst Arena in Southeast D.C. The project, developed through DCPS' Transform DC public art initiative celebrating its tenth anniversary, asked students to envision their place in the city's future under the theme "We are the Builders, Our City, Our Blueprint. " Each school produced distinct artwork celebrating different aspects of D.C.'s Black cultural heritage, including U Street's "Black Broadway," go-go music, and Southeast landmarks like the Frederick Douglass Historic Site. The murals, unveiled on June 30th in partnership with Events DC, CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, and D.C. Public Schools, aim to amplify youth voices and demonstrate that young people's perspectives can shape their communities.