Experiencing D.C. Through the Lens of Black Visual Art

This editorial was brought to you in sponsorship by Chase | Marriott Bonvoy Boundless®.

In Washington, D.C., art isn’t confined to museum walls; it’s alive on street corners, tucked into Black-owned galleries, and pulsing through communities that have shaped culture for generations. With history and creativity so intertwined in D.C., each stop celebrates how Black artistry honors the past while reimagining the future.

For D.C.-based creator and photographer Donnell Marshall, documenting the visual stories of the people and scenes that move through the streets he calls home is core to his work. Known for spotlighting Washington’s landmarks, hidden gems, and everyday beauty through his vivid imagery, Donnell transforms the familiar into the extraordinary. With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card from Chase, Donnell explores how visual art and cultural legacies shape the soul of the nation’s capital. Each stop is a reflection on how creativity connects us to history, to each other, and to the selves we rediscover through travel.

Powered by his Boundless card, Donnell dines in the Fred & Stilla cafe, at the art-inspired oasis of The Ven at Embassy Row, and sets out to capture D.C. in full color, from its mural-lined streets to its cultural landmarks.

The Ven at Embassy Row: Where Art and Atmosphere Converge

Along the storied streets of Dupont Circle, The Ven at Embassy Row is more than a hotel; it’s a living canvas where global design meets local culture. The property exudes the polished calm of Scandinavian minimalism, softened by the eclectic spirit of Washington, D.C. Its interiors flow like a gallery walk: light wood textures, sculptural furnishings, and curated art installations that shift with the seasons. Each piece tells a story, often sourced from D.C.-based artists and creatives whose work reflects the city’s evolving cultural heartbeat.

The Ven’s signature “aVENues of Connection” initiative curates rotating exhibitions and community partnerships that celebrate creativity in all forms, from contemporary photography and digital art to mixed-media works exploring themes of heritage and belonging. Even the lobby feels like an immersive experience, a gathering place for artists and travelers to mingle under the soft glow of abstract lighting inspired by the Northern Lights.

For curators like Donnell Marshall, the hotel mirrors his sophisticated yet soulful, understated yet expressive aesthetic. Earning 17x points at hotels, with Auto Silver Elite status, comes with the added benefits as a Chase Marriott Bonvoy member. Whether he’s editing photos from the day’s explorations in his sleek guest room, sipping cocktails surrounded by modern art in the lobby lounge, or capturing the D.C. art scene, The Ven becomes more than a stay; it’s part of the story.

Here are Lifestyle curator Donnell Marshall’s Top 6 Visual Arts & Culture Scenes in Washington, D.C., which define art, history, and experience through Black-owned businesses.

1. Lee’s Flower & Card Shop: The Art of Legacy and Living Design

On historic U Street, once celebrated as “Black Broadway,” Lee’s Flower & Card Shop stands as a living monument to creativity, entrepreneurship, and resilience. Founded in 1945 by William and Winifred Lee, the shop remains the oldest continuously operating Black-owned flower business in Washington, D.C., now lovingly run by daughters, Kristie and Stacie Lee.

With more than 80 years of trusted artistry, the shop has created floral designs for generations of D.C. families, from weddings and celebrations to moments of remembrance.

For locals and travelers alike, Lee’s is a cultural landmark that reflects the strength, grace, and creative spirit of the community that raised it. Stepping inside feels like reconnecting with D.C.’s living history one bouquet at a time.

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2. Alethia Tanner Park: Where Public Art Meets Liberation

Named after Alethia Tanner, a Black woman who purchased her freedom in 1810 and went on to uplift others through education and empowerment, Alethia Tanner Park in NoMa is one of Washington, D.C.’s most vibrant intersections of art, history, and community. What began as a green space has evolved into a living gallery that celebrates creativity in motion.

Known as the “Mural Capital of D.C.,” the surrounding neighborhood features more than 30 murals by local artists, each one a bold expression of resilience, joy, and collective pride. Sculptural installations invite reflection on freedom and identity, while open lawns transform into stages for live music, creative festivals, and community gatherings.

From open-air art displays to farmers’ markets alive with local flavor, the park embodies the spirit of connection that defines D.C.’s cultural renaissance.

Alethia Tanner Park offers a moment to pause  to see how art lives not only on canvas, but in the rhythm of everyday life.

3. NoMa Murals in NoMa Park: The Celebration of Soul, Color, and Culture

Walking through NoMa in Northeast Washington, D.C., is like wandering through an open-air gallery where every wall is alive, each piece a vivid chapter in a story of community, creativity, and self-expression. The murals are a core part of the NoMa Business Improvement District public-art strategy, which includes a free NoMa Public Art app so you can tour 80+ installations across roughly two miles on foot or by bike. NoMa’s vibrant streets make it one of D.C.’s most essential stops for mural lovers, and this lineup of standout works shows exactly why. Some key art murals to see along the tour are: Alex Serratón’s “KIDS” which bursts with playful nostalgia that pulls you right back into childhood. Mike Pacheco’s “Intergalactic Hip Hop Odyssey” launches viewers into an Afrofuturistic universe powered by rhythm and cosmic swagger. Just RO’s “The Embrace” offers a tender moment of connection that softens the city’s edges; nearby, Autumn Spears’ “Color of Love” glows with warmth and emotional uplift, while on, MJ On The Wall’s “Self-Love” reminds passersby to honor themselves first, floating above the color and movement. Rae Akino’s “Flight of the Imagination” urges the community to dream without limits, and anchoring it all, Martin Swift’s “Shaunte and Biko” captures a deeply human portrait rooted in storytelling and authenticity. Together, these murals transform NoMa into a radiant nature gallery that celebrates Black creativity, identity, and the infinite possibility of people who represent them.

4. 11:Eleven Gallery: Modern Black Art Meets Global Vision

In the heart of D.C.’s creative corridor, 11:Eleven Gallery stands as a beacon of contemporary Black artistry and cross-cultural connection. Founded by London-born curator and collector Nicola Charles, the space was established on a mission to amplify voices that are often underrepresented in the global art world. 

Here, the art transcends borders. Visitors encounter everything from bold acrylic portraits and abstract compositions to textured mixed-media installations that evoke emotion and movement. Inspired by the spiritual meaning of the angel number 11:11, the gallery symbolizes alignment, manifestation, and the pursuit of purpose ideals that mirror its founder’s journey from South London to Washington, D.C.

5. Sankofa Video, Books & Café: Art, Activism, and Storytelling Intertwine

Just across from Howard University stands Sankofa Video, Books & Café, a cornerstone of D.C.’s creative and intellectual community with roots deep in Black independent art and scholarship. Founded by acclaimed filmmakers Haile Gerima and Shirikiana Aina, the space was born from their 1993 film Sankofa, a groundbreaking exploration of the African diaspora that challenged mainstream narratives and inspired generations of artists.

More than a bookstore, Sankofa is a historically curated space. Its walls are lined with vintage film posters, Afrocentric photography, and artwork that celebrate Black resilience and global connection. Visitors can sip coffee beneath portraits of revolutionaries, browse rare African literature, or catch a spontaneous conversation about film, culture, and freedom.

Today, the space continues to thrive as a hub for readers, creatives, and cultural curators. Its calendar features everything from book clubs and author talks to Kente weaving workshops, each event reinforcing Sankofa’s mission to preserve, uplift, and evolve the stories of the African world.

6. St. James: A Culinary Canvas of Caribbean Culture

Art takes on a flavorful form at St. James, a celebrated Black-owned restaurant from Chef Peter Prime, who brings the modern vibrant essence of Trinidad and Tobago to Washington, D.C.’s dining scene. The space hums with life walls wrapped in energetic murals, Afro-Caribbean motifs adorning every corner, and a playlist that turns dinner into a homecoming.

Named one of The New York Times’ “25 Best Restaurants Right Now” in Washington, D.C., and recognized by the Michelin Guide in 2024, St. James is where culinary artistry meets cultural storytelling. Each dish feels like a brushstroke of the island’s bold, colorful, and made with care.

Guests can feast on house favorites such as crispy fried snapper, richly spiced duck dhal slow-cooked for 24 hours, or the vegan-forward maitake masala, each plate layered with history and heart. Whether it’s dinner with friends or cocktails at happy hour, St. James offers a multisensory experience that nourishes both soul and appetite, a reminder that food, too, is an art form, where card members can earn 3x points on dining outings, and 2x the points on all purchases with the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless Card.

The Design of Now

With D.C.’s rich history of Black art and culture, the designs intertwined with stories told, untold, and soon later discovered, this is a roadmap to legacy. A place where the African diaspora has made connections in landscaping, galleries, and even food.

From the murals of NoMa to the soulful rhythm of U Street, D.C. reveals itself as more than a destination; it’s a living canvas where past and present coexist in color and motion. Every gallery, café, and landmark becomes part of a larger narrative, one that celebrates Black artistry, resilience, and renewal.​With the Marriott Bonvoy Boundless® Card from Chase you can elevate every trip experience with exclusive benefits like earning points toward free nights, late checkout with automatic Silver Elite status, and accessing unique experiences that make your travel effortless and rewarding.

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