WASHINGTON, D.C. — Tucked inside the vibrant Union Market district, the Chela Mitchell Gallery has become a beacon for Black art and creative expression. Opened in 2021 by D.C. native Chela Mitchell, the gallery kicked off its latest exhibit, “You See Where I’m Coming From?”, with a bold and deeply personal curation by local rapper and entrepreneur Shy Glizzy.
A Rapper’s Passion Turned Curator
Shy Glizzy, born Marquis King, may be best known for his music, but his love for visual art is longstanding. For the gallery’s debut show, Glizzy stepped into a new role as curator, carefully selecting pieces that reflect his journey from southeast D.C. streets to music industry success.
“Art is always something that I’ve admired and invested heavily into,” Glizzy said.
“It resonates with my life on a daily—my present, my past, and my future.”
Each artwork in the exhibition reflects the themes of identity, growth, and resilience. The showcase is as much about Glizzy’s roots as it is about amplifying the voices of other Black creatives in the DMV.
The Woman Behind the Gallery
At the heart of it all is Chela Mitchell, the founder and director of the self-funded gallery. With no investors and no institutional backing, Mitchell’s journey is one of grit and passion.
“Black businesses are underfunded, so everything at my gallery is funded by me,” Mitchell shared.
“But that’s also wonderful. It makes me work harder.”
For Mitchell, returning home to D.C. to open the space is about more than just art—it’s about community reclamation and cultural preservation.
“It’s been great to come home to D.C.—a place that gave me so much as a girl, my style, my point of view—and to be able to give something back.”
Highlighting Local Artists and Complex Conversations
Among the standout artists in the exhibition is Lex Marie, a DMV-based creative whose work is deeply inspired by her experiences as a mother. Much of her art repurposes items her 7-year-old son once used—school supplies, toys, even outgrown clothes—transformed into pieces that challenge viewers to think about race, gender, violence, and education in America.
One of her most talked-about works, titled “School Supplies,” is a mock machine gun constructed from her son’s pencils. The piece confronts the chilling reality of school shootings and the experience of raising a Black child in today’s America.
“When he was five, he had his first active shooting drill in school,” Marie explained.
“I started reclaiming and repurposing objects that he grows out of to speak about things I’m witnessing as his mother.”
Her deeply personal works shine a light on adultification, the erasure of Black history in education, and the social pressures young Black boys face daily.
Democratizing the Art Space
The show’s curation reflects a broader push to democratize art spaces—especially for underrepresented communities. Mitchell, Glizzy, and the artists featured in the show challenge the idea that art collecting is only for the elite.
“Having the means to collect art is a very expensive hobby,” Mitchell acknowledged.
“You have to pay for the artwork, then shipping, then installation. It’s kind of like a wealthy person’s hobby.”
Still, Mitchell believes that art is one of the greatest investments—not just financially, but culturally.
“My art collection will go to my daughter and hopefully to her kids,” she said.
“When we think about generational wealth, a lot of the wealth is cultural. It’s not always financial.”
The Rise of Art as a Cultural Flex
Mitchell praised music industry figures like Shy Glizzy and Swizz Beatz for their growing involvement in the art world, both as collectors and curators. She sees this as a sign that more people—especially Black creatives—are embracing art not only as investment but as expression and legacy.
“I love that art is becoming a flex,” she said. “I hope it continues to be that for them.”
A Living, Breathing Art Space
With plans to rotate exhibitions every two months, the Chela Mitchell Gallery promises to spotlight new and emerging talent from across the DMV and beyond. Visitors can expect a range of media and messages—each show offering something fresh and thought-provoking.
“I just enjoy their different perspectives and the colors and the textures and how each artist decided to interpret the work,” Mitchell said.
“I am really, really, really happy with this cohort of artists.”
But Mitchell reminds everyone that support isn’t always financial.
“Support your local artists. Support your local art galleries,” she said.
“You can share their artwork on Instagram. You can come to the gallery and share your experience.”
A Cultural Shift in D.C.
As D.C. continues to evolve, spaces like the Chela Mitchell Gallery offer a powerful counter-narrative—centering Black voices, Black stories, and Black creativity in a city where those perspectives are often pushed to the margins.
This gallery isn’t just a business. It’s a cultural hub, a safe space, and a launchpad for the next generation of Black artists and collectors. With artists like Lex Marie and curators like Shy Glizzy, and visionaries like Chela Mitchell leading the way, the city’s creative pulse beats louder—and more beautifully—than ever.
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