The Facade Renovation Project, commissioned by the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop and sponsored by Peter Grimm and Tech Painting Co., is part of artist and CHAW teacher Carolina Mayorga’s recent series ARTidotes in Color—an exploration of color inspired by her daily walks through Northeast and Southeast D.C. Her observations of new and restored murals by local artists recalled the legacy of the Washington Color School, while her palette drew from the vibrancy of city gardens, the boldness of Henri Matisse, and her 17 years as a CHAW teaching artist.

Mayorga’s return to CHAW continues a creative relationship that began with the 2009 façade renovation, when she collaborated with Bruce McKaig and Scott Hunter to design four steel sculptures that graced CHAW’s columns for more than a decade.

This latest project also features new banners that highlight the many voices and stories that make up the CHAW community. As CHAW celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, the renovation became both a tribute to its enduring legacy and a vivid reminder of the creativity that continues to anchor—and propel—the Capitol Hill community forward.