The Doost’s Guide to Visiting Washington DC

The National Mall is not your typical shopping venture. This one is filled with history, art, and a good time. Washington DC is a wonderful experience and for those of you traveling soon make sure to check out some of the artistic locals favorite sights. Thanks to Farah Alimi, Aaron Scales from BroCoLoco, and the talented artist Sabrina Ahmed known as Breens for the wonderful suggestions.

Museums are meant for the curious mind’s desire to get inspired. 

1) The Hirshhorn Museum & Sculpture Garden is the Smithsonian’s museum of modern and contemporary art comprised of approximately 11,500 artworks including paintings, sculptures, works on paper, photographs, collages, and decorative art objects. Click HERE for more. Admission is always FREE!

Located at 700 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560

Nam June Paik’s Electronic Superhighway

2) The Philips Collection is an “intimate museum combined with an experiment station.”–Duncan Phillips, 1926. Paintings by Renoir and Rothko, Bonnard and O’Keeffe, van Gogh and Diebenkorn are among the many stunning impressionist and modern works that fill the museum. Read more HERE. For admission check out their site HERE, depending on the day and time it is FREE, donations, or set prices.

Located at 1600 21st St NW, Washington, DC 20009

The Shapur Plate

3) Freer Gallery of ART & Arthur M. Sackler Gallery are two Smithsonian museums linked by the exhibition, study, and sheer love of Asian art. Both are physically connected by an underground passageway which makes it convenient to visit. Admission is always FREE!

Located at 1000 Jefferson Dr SW, Washington, DC 20001

I chose this picture because it hits home to my Persian roots. Their website has a great description of The Shapur Plate:

I, Shapur, king of kings, partner with the Stars, brother of the Sun and Moon, to my brother Constantius Caesar offer most ample greeting.…

It was produced during the fourth century CE for Shapur II, the Sasanian king who is identified by his distinctive crown. He was one of the most powerful rulers of the Sasanian dynasty, which controlled Iran and much of the Ancient Near East from 224 to 651 CE. During Shapur’s reign, scenes depicting the king hunting gazelle, boars, bulls, and ibex were important metaphors for royal power. The plate, like several other similar examples, was presented as a gift to dignitaries or was displayed prominently in the Sasanian palace to assert Shapur’s sovereignty.

Read more HERE!

4) The Smithsonian National Museum of African Art has the largest publicly held collection of contemporary African art in the United States including more than 9,000 objects representing nearly every country in Africa dating from ancient to contemporary times. The collection contains a variety of media and art forms—textiles, photography, sculpture, pottery, paintings, jewelry and video art. Read more HERE

“Mami Wata: Arts for Water Spirits in Africa and Its Diasporas,” at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African Art, celebrates a goddess and her ripples.

Located at 950 Independence Ave SW, Washington, DC 20560

The art doesn’t stop there. DC is filled with artistic individuals and bright ideas. For street art check out Aaron Scales’ suggestions:

• A Gaia piece near the corner of 8th & G St SE on Barracks Row
• JR piece at 1401 T St. NW (unless they took it down)
• Gaia piece on H St NE near 13th St NE
• Reuben piece on H St NE & 6th
• BroCoLoco piece on H St NE between 6th & 7th
• There is another collaborative piece by Logan Hardware at 1416 P St NW

Check out Art Whino Gallery, voted the best gallery in DC 5 years in a row! Their “mission is to bring together the pioneers and freshest talent from around the world.”

Located at 120 American Way National Harbor, Md 20745

Also, check out a new “speakeasy” art venue recently opened called Blind Whino.

Markets & Stuff 😉

1) Eastern Market this is DC’s original and premier food & arts market. Their website informs us that “Eastern Market is DC’s destination for fresh food, community events, and on weekends, local farm-fresh produce and handmade arts and crafts.” For more info click HERE!

Located on 225 7th St SE, Washington, DC 20003

2) Union Market is an artisanal, indoor market featuring 40+ local vendors. Their website describes it best as “a true gathering place that serves as an inviting melting pot of old world heritage and new world opportunities. From its roots as Centre Market, a fresh food venue born over 200 years ago, it’s been a great unifier for DC – connecting people from a variety of backgrounds. Read more HERE

Located on 1309 5th St NE, Washington, DC 20002

3) United States Botanical Gardens

Where flowers bloom so does hope. ~ Lady Bird Johnson

Located at 100 Maryland Ave SW, District of Columbia, 20002