DC Trending / DC's Socially Engaged Art + Conscious Culture Magazine
A collection of arts, culture and social impact stories for the nation’s capital.
Welcome to DCTrending
We cover the DC arts and culture scene—the stories that matter to our local communities.
From underground galleries to neighborhood festivals, we spotlight the creative people and cultural moments that define this city. We're your guide to the artists, venues, and movements shaping D.C.'s cultural landscape.
Read our full features at DC Trending for deeper coverage.
THREADS OF PEACE
The United Nations Global Peace Flag Exhibit at the Ellipse / May 25, 2025
Fashioning for Social Environmental Justice
On 24 May, Fashioning for Social Environmental Justice will host Threads of Peace at The Ellipse, a landmark gathering to showcase the Global Peace Flag—an artwork composed of messages from across continents, refugees, prisoners, and indigenous communities. The event seeks to transcend social dividers like race, color, gender, and class, reminding the world of our shared humanity.
“The Peace Flag is a visual manifesto of unity,” said Runa Ray, founder of Fashioning for Social Environmental Justice. “It’s made by people across borders, from Tibetan exiles and Afghan refugees to women from red-light districts and incarcerated in San Quentin. Each piece is a voice stitched into a global chorus.”
The event will feature a fashion show, peace talks, and artistic performances, demonstrating how art and advocacy can inspire tangible change. The Flag will later be exhibited at the United Nations in New York.
Our supporting partners for this event are World Beyond War, the DC Peace team, the African Faith and Justice Network, Marjan Naderi, the Our Lady of All Nations choir, and models from Kiss Models and The Artist Agency.
About FSEJ
Fashioning for Social and Environmental Justice is a nonprofit using fashion as a tool for climate action, peacebuilding, and policy change.
FASHION FOR SOCIAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE
@globalpeaceflag / GlobalPeaceFlag.com
THE NICHOLSON PROJECT ANNOUNCES
SONG OF SONS BY ARTIST NATE LANGSTON PALMER
A MULTI-SITE PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION IN WASHINGTON, DC.
ON VIEW MAY 12 - SEPTEMBER 28, 2025
The Nicholson Project, a nonprofit artist residency, neighborhood garden, and cultural hub in Southeast DC, announces Song of Sons, a dynamic public art installation by artist Nate Langston Palmer. Song of Sons is an ongoing multi-year photography project that began in 2019 with Palmer documenting a Washington, DC dance group of young Black men specializing in Beat Ya Feet—a dance style that originated in, and remains unique to, Washington, DC. Blending artistic expression with cultural preservation, the project engages local communities through large-scale public art and digital storytelling to enrich public space and spark dialogue on heritage and urban transformation.
“Having this work shown on such a large scale in D.C., the city where I was born and raised, is so meaningful to me,” says artist Nate Langston Palmer. “When I started working on this project, it was really important to me that the dancers were represented in a way that felt authentic to them and that they would feel honored by. I hope this work gives every Washingtonian a sense of pride in their city whenever they pass by it.”
FIND THE ARTWORK
Song of Sons will be presented across two main sites and a series of transit shelters throughout Washington, DC.
800 9th Street SW (corner of 9th Street & Maine Avenue SW)
Two building-sized photographs and a nightly video projection beginning at 7 PM.The Nicholson Project (2310 Nicholson Street SE)
A photographic installation visible from the back alley, accessible via Prout Street SE.Transit Shelters
Five photographs will also appear in select bus shelters connecting the above sites:7 St SW & I St SW (Bus Stop IDs: 1003903, 1000566)
Pennsylvania Ave SE & Potomac Ave SE (ID: 1002965)
Pennsylvania Av SE & L'Enfant Sq SE (IDs: 1000482, 100048
CUBAN CHRONICLE
DAIRAN FERNÁNDEZ DE LA FUENTE
THE AMY KASLOW GALLERY
On view through MAY 25, 2025
“Much of my work deals with the theme of immigration, departures and displacement.”
7920 NORFOLK AVENUE, BETHESDA, MARYLAND AMYKASLOWGALLERY.COM / @AmyKaslowGallery
2025 Arts in Foggy Bottom
Outdoor Sculpture Biennial
On view through October 25th, 2025
The 9th Arts in Foggy Bottom Outdoor Sculpture Biennial is officially ON and showcasing some seriously compelling work.
This year's theme is "Homeland | Hostland." 14 talented artists and collectives—local and national names—are exploring heavy-hitting ideas. Think migration, finding your place, feeling welcome, and belonging in our ever-shifting world.
Curated by Fabiola R. Delgado, the 2025 Biennial is designed to prompt reflection on how these themes shape our individual stories and collective identity, especially in a time of constant change.
You'll explore diverse media and viewpoints, many coming from diasporic experiences. The exhibition aims to open up a dialogue about the intricate relationships between people and the spaces they inhabit.
So, if you want something engaging and thought-provoking to check out, head over to Foggy Bottom. This Biennial offers a powerful look at some timely issues through the lens of art. #DCArts #FoggyBottom #SculptureBiennial #ArtExhibition
Here’s a link for more Arts in Foggy Bottom / @artsinfoggybottom