This week, MidCity and RIA joined the nation-wide campaign sponsored by TOMS shoe company promoting peace and the effort to end gun-related violence in D.C. and across the nation. As part of the #EndGunViolenceTogether campaign, local artist Jon Leonardo chose to install the second mural in the District on the panels of the RIA parking lot.
Members of the Brookland Manor and the Ward 5 community came out in force to help Leonardo complete the work. With intertwining peace signs surrounding big block letters, the design of the mural sends a clear message: let’s #EndGunViolenceTogether.
TOMS CEO Blake Mycoskie recently announced on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon that the company is donating $5 million in an effort to end gun violence, with part of that effort focused on the creation of murals around D.C. and across the country. Between all artists involved, TOMS has commissioned almost 40 murals to date around the U.S., as well as others in Paris.
We are honored to have been able to help take part in this crucial initiative and look forward to helping create a more safe and secure community for Brentwood and Ward 5.
Artist Jon Leonardo is seeking additional walls across D.C. for #endgunviolencetogether murals and can be reached at connect@jonleo.art.