SaveArtSpace is pleased to present Out of this World a group public art exhibition on bus stop ad spaces throughout Washington, DC. Curated by Trap Bob. Selected artists are Nia Keturah Calhoun, Jada Imani M, and Omari Jesse. On view starting March 15, 2021, for at least one month.

Founded in 2015, SaveArtSpace is a non-profit organization that works to create an urban gallery experience, launching exhibitions that address intersectional themes and foster a progressive message of social change. By placing culture over commercialism, SaveArtSpace aims to empower artists from all walks of life and inspire a new generation of young creatives and activists.

Curator

Tenbeete Solomon AKA Trap Bob is a visual artist, illustrator, and animator based in Washington, DC. She is known for her use of bold colors and gestures to convey both the humor and struggles of everyday life. Her work is socially conscious and frequently inspired by activism and community issues, with an aim to bridge the gap between her audience and her message. Her work can be found in both the digital space and within the community, from instagram gif stickers to permanent murals throughout DC.

Connect with Trap Bob on Instagram at @trapxbob.

Selected Artists

Location: U St NW & 10th St NW, Washington, DC

Nia Keturah Calhoun is a multidisciplinary DC-based artist whose work focuses on the real and imagined connections of Black America. Her practice examines the ways black folks have maintained community, spiritual practices, and joy throughout the diaspora and projects her thoughts on Afro-Presentism and Afro-Futurism. She has exhibited in New York with the Smithsonian Asian American Center, in Washington D.C. as a commissioned artist for 2017's Women March, and in Johannesburg, South Africa at Ants Gallery. Her lyrical and mixed media works have been featured on/in BBC Radio 1, The Guardian, Hypebeast and the Huffington Post.

Connect with Nia on Instagram at @niaketurah.

Location: 14th St NW & U St NW, Washington, DC

Born and raised in the DMV area, I use my personal experiences and influences throughout my work. Colorful, distorted, creative, and recognizable are some of the ways people have described my images. As a Black woman photographer, I aim to show people not only how I view the world, but how I wish the world could be. Consistently inspired by my community, I push forward positive visuals of Black people in unique spaces in which they normally would not be seen.

COLORS 2020 is a collection of images showcasing Black beauty in a variation of vibrant monochromatic outfits. For this project, I intentionally casted brown and dark skin models only. In the entertainment industry there is still a lack of representation for dark skin people, especially dark skin Black women. In tv shows, films, and even advertisements, I see a lot of dark skin men being casted alongside fair skinned women. It is disappointing to never see women who look like me placed alongside the men we can relate to the most. Being a Black woman photographer makes me responsible for showcasing the imagery I desire to see. These images represent the joy, power, and unity within the Black community.

Model: @singitlikenaomi

MUA: @alanahs_artistry

Production Assistants: @cheakaity & @soambitiouskim

Connect with Jada on Instagram at @jadaimanim.

Location: U St NW & 10th St NW, Washington, DC

Omari Jesse is a mixed-media artist and fashion designer residing in Prince George's County, Maryland. His work explores social commentary surrounding black bodies and experiences while critiquing perceptions of ideal beauty. He gives life to these ideas through the practice of portraiture, figurative painting, and printmaking. Omari Jesse also owns a clothing line named "Cuuurry Out" a brand focused on highlighting inner city culture and urban distribution.

Connect with Omari on Instagram at @omari.jesse & @Cuuurryout.