Capital One Arena now has some beautiful and inspiring artwork on its facade.
Four days after Black Lives Matter was painted on 16th Street leading up to the White House, a sports-themed mural was painted a few blocks away on the side of Capital One Arena. The painting on wooden boards features the words Black Lives Matter with Black athletes playing hockey and basketball.
The Capital One Arena Twitter account published four photos with the caption, “We love celebrating beautiful art โ inside the building and outside. We stand with you.”
Here’s another look as it was being painted.
View this post on InstagramCollaboration for the cause #blm #blacklivesmatter #artsaveslives
A post shared by The Catalyst (@errand_boy) on
Two accounts were credited on the mural, @DezCustomz and @LeviRobinsonArt.
Dez Customz has an online store and has a physical location in Maryland. The artist behind the account recently created this beautiful painting of George Floyd with the phrase I Can’t Breathe.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by DEZ Customz Art And Customs (@dezcustomz) on
He also custom-painted these epic shoes for a Caps fan.
Hereโs another view. But yeah dope dope work by @dezcustomz. pic.twitter.com/Ucg3bxWEXg
— Mike Honcho (@BuddhasCompadre) June 9, 2020
@dezcustomz is a dope artist. Had these done during the Stanley Cup winning season. Wore them against Columbus and the rest was history. pic.twitter.com/ydSFudC86i
— Mike Honcho (@BuddhasCompadre) June 9, 2020
Levi Robinson also appears to be a local artist, whose Instagram is full of stunning African American artwork. You can view all of his paintings and support him on his website here.
View this post on InstagramA post shared by LEVI ROBINSON | ART (@levirobinsonart) on
Both the Capitals and the Wizards have released statements supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.
As we take time to learn, listen to our employees, partners, and fans, and collaborate on a plan of action, we have a message from our #ALLCAPS family. Let us keep this movement going, build on this momentum and seize this opportunity to bring about and embrace meaningful change. pic.twitter.com/ubUvCDjmjk
— Washington Capitals (@Capitals) June 8, 2020
An open letter from our players and coaches. #BlackLivesMatter | @WashMystics pic.twitter.com/f2E6z9nxZK
— Washington Wizards (@WashWizards) June 6, 2020
Owner Ted Leonsis recently wrote a blog post titled We Are In This Together.
“In no uncertain terms, it is important that you know that our company, Monumental Sports & Entertainment, and the Leonsis family stand against racism, prejudice, discrimination, and police brutality,” he wrote. “We stand with you in our demands for justice because Black Lives Matter!”
Update: According to Leonsis, the mural outside Capital One Arena is part of a Black Lives Matter outdoor exhibit at Gallery place.
“The 27 mural exhibit showcases artistic expressions in solidarity with the Black Lives Matters movement on downtown D.C. storefronts in Gallery Place (7th St between H and F Streets NW),” Leonsis wrote in a blog post.
Headline photo courtesy of @capitalonearena
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