DC's NoMa Neighborhood Decks the Walls With Art This Holiday Season

This holiday season, the NoMa Business Improvement District (BID) is swapping traditional holiday decorations for two striking new public art installations that are sure to brighten the neighborhood.

The first installation, STUPENDOUS: The Uline Ice Arena, is a dynamic digital light projection featured in the K Street Virtual Gallery, located in the railway underpass between First and Second Streets NE. Created by local multimedia artist Jackie Hoysted, STUPENDOUS celebrates the rich entertainment history of the Uline Arena. Through vivid, stylized depictions of events such as rodeos, circuses, concerts, and synchronized swimming, Hoysted reimagines the variety of activities once held in the iconic space. Notably, the Uline Arena hosted the Beatles' first U.S. concert in 1964, and STUPENDOUS captures the magic and energy of this historic venue.

The second installation, a captivating four-part mural series by interdisciplinary DMV artist Nicole Wandera, greets passersby at Second and N Streets NE. Inspired by Langston Hughes’ poem The City, the murals echo the poem’s two stanzas, reflecting the rhythm of urban life. Hughes, a central figure of the Harlem Renaissance, wrote The City to capture the spirit of city life, from its lively mornings to its peaceful evenings. With bold strokes and textured layers, Wandera’s murals bring Hughes' vision to life by depicting everyday moments in NoMa—from the early morning song of birds to the tranquil end of the day beneath the historic NoMa water tower. Wandera has also added augmented reality to these murals. Viewers who use their mobile devices to scan a QR code and access Adobe Aero software can unlock animations and movements embedded in the art, watching birds take flight, flowers bloom, and more.

“We’re thrilled to introduce these incredible public art installations this holiday season,” said Maura Brophy, President of NoMa BID. “These works not only add beauty to our streetscape, but also celebrate the culture, history, and creativity that make NoMa a special place to be. They embody our commitment to creating a neighborhood where art and community flourish.”

Both installations highlight the NoMa BID’s dedication to fostering a vibrant public art scene that celebrates diversity, community, and creativity. Visitors are encouraged to explore these and other public art pieces throughout the neighborhood during the holiday season.

For more details on NoMa’s public art initiatives, including hours for the K Street Virtual Gallery, visit NoMa BID Public Art.