LA GROTTA DC in Adams Morgan. (Photo courtesy of Marlene Orantes)

Large public art displays on sides of bakeries to the front of restaurants are common in D.C. However, these public artworks raise the question of whether these works are truly “public” as they sit on private businesses.

Adams Morgan in particular has a large history with art, with its storefronts decorated with art — whether murals or business advertisements. The Adams Morgan Partnership Business Improvement District (BID) works as a facilitator with artists and businesses, however, so does the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH), particularly with public artists.

Deirdre Darden, public art coordinator for the commission, said CAH finds artists through grant applications and works with BIDs in the District to find mural sites — usually on private property — and they provide grants to fund the artist. In its 2024 fiscal year, the CAH provided $1,278,390 in grants and other awards within their public art department, according to their “Public Arts Work Plan 2026.”

“Some of our murals you might see on the sides of a store,” Darden said. “That’s usually private property, and the property owner has just agreed to do the mural.”

Darden said that when an artist and mural site are matched, the artist comes up with the mural design that has to get approved by the property owner.

“They would then come up with a design for the mural, the property owner and the BID would approve of that mural design, or give comments,” Darden said.

She said that despite funding the artist, CAH has no role in approving a mural, which she defined as “a temporary or permanent artwork outside.”

“For us, we’re looking for just original artistic design. We don’t want it to be strict ads for the property, and we let the property know that,” Darden said.

She also said that the murals on buildings have protections from CAH if the business’ building is sold.

“If they move, I think we require at least like a five year period where it goes untouched,” Darden said. “If they sell the business, someone moves in, it’s their right to their property, so they can cover it up.”

BUL Korean Bar & Restaurant in Adams Morgan. (Photo | Marlene Orantes)

BUL Korean Bar & Restaurant inherited Toulouse-Lautrec’s poster of Aristide Bruant as the building was home to Cafe Toulouse — formerly named Cafe Lautrec Restaurant — which was vacant for a long period of time, according to The Washington Post.

BUL Korean Bar & Restaurant did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

In Adams Morgan, public art can take many different forms. The DC Arts Center (DCAC) hosts The AdMo Art Walk each year where local businesses are partnered with local artists to showcase their work on the business storefront, which can be sold to customers.

River Hansen, the deputy executive director of DCAC, said that the art walk began in spring of 2020 in the midst of the pandemic.

“We really wanted to make sure that there was still spaces where artists could exhibit their work,” Hansen said. “Businesses in Adams Morgan also had, as well as elsewhere, an urgent survival incentive to make sure that people were coming and still frequenting.”

Hansen also said artists receive all proceeds of the artwork sold during the artwalk.

DCAC is responsible for pairing businesses with artists each year, and this year 15 business-artist pairings were made, including Fleet Feet DC and 24-year-old artist Electra Pelias.

Fleet Feet DC did not respond to multiple requests for comment.

Pelias, a master’s student in fine arts at The George Washington University, said in an email she had worked with the arts center before and reached out to them to participate in this year’s art walk. She said that although she had to run her artwork through the co-owner of Fleet Feet DC, Kimberly Fenty, she was able to “run free” with her work.

Fleet Feet DC in Adams Morgan with Electra Pelias’ art on the window. (Photo Courtesy of Electra Pelias)

Pelias said she feels that her artwork, presented in the front of the store, is considered public art.

“Public art to me feels like an offering. It exists to engage, provoke, or hold space for people without asking for anything in return,” Pelias said.

She said that advertisements are different from public art, as ads are “designed to sell or persuade.”

“Part of the artist hustle is balancing survival and expression,” Pelias said.

Stephanie Hollman, a 26-year-old resident of Adams Morgan for almost six years, said in a text message that she is aware about the AdMo Art Walk, and of the public artworks in the neighborhood.

“I have not purchased an artist’s work from here, but I have seen some artwork,” Hollman said.

Despite noticing local artwork, Hollman said that it doesn’t influence her shopping.

“I try to be aware of what I purchase and also make sure that what I purchase aligns with my values and interests,” Hollman said.