The Miami-based Museum of Graffiti proudly announces that its latest traveling exhibition, “Sneaker Stories” presented by Modelo, will come to Washington, D.C.’s Union Market District at 1270 5th Street NE for one weekend only. The pop-up will be open to the public for free from 12 PM to 5 PM on Friday, June 14, and from 10 AM to 7 PM on Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16. While admission is free, registration is recommended at the link here. This immersive experience will explore the historical ties and evolving relationship between graffiti art and sneaker culture through informative displays featuring rare sneakers and their corresponding art inspiration.
A first-of-its-kind contemporary art museum, Museum of Graffiti exhibits, educates and celebrates the thousands of graffiti artists who have transformed walls in public spaces into vibrant masterpieces. With the “Sneaker Stories” pop-up, the Museum of Graffiti will bring its renowned unorthodox approach to urban art education to Washington, D.C. Presented as a faux sneaker store, this immersive museum experience will highlight the many seminal crossover collaborations between graffiti artists and global commercial brands like Nike, Adidas and Reebok. Guests will be taken on a 20-year journey of collaboration that has seen sneakers transcend their original purpose to become integral to the fabric of urban culture and art. The exhibition will feature a selection of limited-edition sneakers displayed alongside their original artworks by artists including Futura, Cey Adams, Eric Haze, Claw Money and Faust, who have been tapped to create highly converted footwear that can sell on the secondary market for upwards of $20,000.
“We are thrilled to bring ‘Sneaker Stories’ to the nation’s capital,” says Allison Freidin, co-founder of the Museum of Graffiti. “Washington, D.C. has a rich history of graffiti art and a vibrant sneaker culture, making it the perfect destination for this pop-up. We look forward to engaging with the local community and sharing the incredible stories behind these collaborations.”
“Through ‘Sneaker Stories,’ we aim to celebrate the artists from the global graffiti art movement who have transitioned from the streets to appear inside the biggest companies in America, like Nike, Reebok and Adidas, and influenced countless others along the way,” says Alan Ket, co-founder of the Museum of Graffiti. “Thanks to our partnership with Modelo, we’re able to bring this unique cultural exploration to Washington, D.C., inviting the community to uncover the stories behind the art and the artists who have routinely been stigmatized due to the negative connotations surrounding spray paint.”
Inside the pop-up, guests can also expect to find Museum of Graffiti’s world-class gift shop, packed with limited edition collectibles, rare books and apparel. At the complimentary sneaker customization bar, courtesy of Modelo, each pop-up visitor can also become a designer with colorful new laces, charms and buckle plates to personalize their own sneakers.
A panel discussion moderated by Kelly Towles will take place at 5 PM on Saturday, June 15, entitled “Fighting Spirit Stories,” featuring NYC-based artists GIZ and PERSUE, followed by a limited edition print release and signing. Seating is on a first-come-first-serve basis.
