Weekly since 2020, BCDC has showcased a Local Arts Hero An ever-innovating, DIY-style artists collective, No Kings runs a studio, creative agency, and events production company–all rolled into one. They’re motto is simple yet brash: “The District is our home. Art is our world. Hustle is our method.”
Born (like many a brilliant idea) during a deep discussion between friends after a night out, No Kings has been around since 2009. It has since become known for its irreverent, shape-shifting lineup of shows and galleries, pop-up shops, and vibrant events, as well as commissioned artwork that includes some of the District’s most beloved public murals.
As DC has continued to open back up, No Kings was at the forefront. Last November’s Redeye Night Market, for example, was a nocturnal festival inspired by the open-air night markets of East and Southeast Asia, and was devised to celebrate the city’s rich AAPI heritage while also supporting small businesses and cultural organizations amid challenging times.
Just this month, No Kings (in partnership with She Will Rise) made national news with a mural at the corner of 14th and S Streets NW that honors Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson’s historic confirmation to the Supreme Court. That artwork (pictured above) depicts the DC-born future Justice’s present and childhood, along with the visage of Constance Baker Motley, who was the first Black woman appointed to the federal judiciary.
To learn more about No Kings Collective and support their endlessly innovative work, head here!
