Opening Reception-Dopamine Dreams
Please join us on Saturday, December 13, 2025, for the opening reception of “Dopamine Dreams,” featuring works by Ralston Cyrus and curated by Gia Harewood.
This event is free & open to the public.
"Dopamine Dreams" Exhibition
Regular gallery hours during the exhibition are Thursdays - Saturdays, 12pm to 6pm.
Payment plan options are available
Meet the Artist
For more than 20 years, Ralston Cyrus (@ralicyrus) has worked in what Steven Pressfield calls a “shadow profession,” building a career as a user experience and software product designer in fast-paced agency and IT environments. Yet since childhood, he has been pulled toward something quieter and more essential: a human-centered artistic practice. Cyrus creates introspective portrait and figure works that reflect a long-held desire for simplicity, honesty, and inner clarity. Over the past decade, his work has been exhibited throughout the DMV and East Coast, including a solo exhibition (A Decisive War, 2022) at the Strathmore Mansion, in Rockville, Maryland. Other exhibits include: Georgia World Congress Center in Atlanta, The Goodtime Hotel in Miami Beach during Art Basel, Artist & Makers Studios in Rockville, Capitol Hill Arts Workshop and Honfleur Gallery, both in DC. His drawings and paintings aim to reveal the subtle truths within his subjects—still, contemplative moments that mirror his own search for peace. Through his work, Cyrus echoes the universal hero’s journey: the challenge of returning to one’s true self and honoring the creative spark that endures beneath every detour.
Curatorial Statement
“Black portrait artists have long used the genre to assert presence, dignity, and self-definition in a society that has historically denied Black people visibility and humanity. From early studio photographers and painters crafting images of Black life in the face of enslavement and segregation, to contemporary artists who challenge dominant narratives and expand the possibilities of representation, their work forms a vital lineage of cultural memory and artistic innovation. In Dopamine Dreams, Ralston Cyrus extends this legacy of portraiture as both reverence and justice—reverence for the musical genius of famous figures such as Roy Ayers, Quincy Jones, Minnie Riperton, and Nina Simone and justice for the humanity and beauty that lies within everyday people. By eliminating all background in each work, Cyrus turns down the noise of any potential distraction and forces viewers to directly focus on the figure and primarily their face; there is nowhere else to look as Cyrus centers interiority and peace. While no one is smiling, there is still a calm presence and meditative, deep-breath energy around the room. As he says about his subjects, ‘this is a whole person with a soul.’ We can only guess what pleasure, motivation, or reward these figures dream of. Given the social landscape of increased anti-Blackness and dehumanization, perhaps they dream of a world that does not lump large groups of Black people into degraded piles or a time when their accomplishments and history are not being minimized or erased. We cannot be sure. Yet one thing is for certain: this impeccable image-making demonstrates a rich artistic vocabulary and mastery of craft that is above all else, simply beautiful. And the idea of Black beauty combined with complex humanity is perhaps the most radical dream of all.” -Gia Harewood
"Dopamine Dreams" Artist Talk
Come learn more about the artist Ralston Cyrus with an in-depth conversation about the current exhibition “Dopamine Dreams.”
Event is free & open to the public.
"Sessions"-Open Mic Experience
Join us once a month on Sundays from 7:30pm - 9:00pm for Sessions, an open mic event at Art of Noize, hosted by Nerd the Poet (@nerdthepoet), and live music by DJ Freequincy or band. This December’s featured artist is Jeremiah Roselle (@jeremiahroselle_)!
"Dopamine Dreams" Closing Reception
Please join us for one last look of the talented works of “Dopamine Dreams” exhibition, featuring works by Ralston Cyrus and curated by Gia Harewood.
This event is free & open to the public.
*Payment plan options are available
Artist Talk & Closing Reception
Please join us on Saturday, December 6th from 3pm-6pm, for the artist talk & closing reception of “Beauty As Rebellion,” featuring works by R. Scott Colglazier.
Event is free & open to the public.
Sessions - Open Mic
Join us once a month on Sundays from 7:30pm - 9:00pm for Sessions, an open mic event at Art of Noize, hosted by Nerd the Poet (@nerdthepoet), and live music by DJ Freequincy or band. This month’s featured artist is the Howard University Poets!
If you have yet to join us for our monthly in-house open mic, Sessions is a flow session for poets, instrumentalists, vocalists, MCs, and anyone willing to share their art. It’s a space where artists are free to create and not required to be as formal as they are in other venues. Sessions is a space where artists are encouraged to expand the boundaries of their expression, connect with other artists, and play, sing, rap, or dance as if no one is watching. Participants have the choice of performing alongside DJ Freequincy or a live band.
Advance tickets can be purchased below for guarantee admission or at the door.
“Beauty As Rebellion” Exhibition
Join us at the opening reception of “Beauty As Rebellion” exhibition, featuring works by R. Scott Colglaizer, curated by Felix Etienne-Edouard Pfeifle.
This event is free & open to the public.
"Beauty As Rebellion" Exhibition
Art of Noize is pleased to announce our new exhibit, Beauty as Rebellion, featuring work by R. Scott Colglazier (curated by Felix Etienne-Edouard Pfeifle) on display at the gallery until December 6, 2025. Gallery hours Thursday - Saturday, 12pm-6pm.
"Sessions" Open Mic
Join us once a month on Sundays from 7:30pm - 9:00pm for Sessions, an open mic event at Art of Noize hosted by Nerd the Poet (@nerdthepoet), live music by DJ Freequincy or band, featuring guest artist Detroit Rivers (@detroitrivers)!
If you have yet to join us for our monthly in-house open mic, Sessions is a flow session for poets, instrumentalists, vocalists, MCs, and anyone willing to share their art. It’s a space where artists are free to create and not required to be as formal as they are in other venues. Sessions is a space where artists are encouraged to expand the boundaries of their expression, connect with other artists, and play, sing, rap, or dance as if no one is watching. Participants have the choice of performing alongside DJ Freequincy or a live band.
Advance tickets can be purchased here for guarantee admission or at the door.
"Grandma's Hands" Artist Talk & Closing Reception
Join us as we close out the exhibition of “Grandma’s Hands” with Dr. Lisa Cain, to learn more about the concept & her story, and give guests one last look at this beautiful exhibition!
The event is free & open to the public.
Compressed Firearm Safety Training
Join us at Art of Noize as we partner with Freedom 1 Security for a compressed firearm training course at Art of Noize. This focused session introduces the fundamentals of firearm safety, and provides an overview of the permit processes for D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
Tickets are $20 and can be purchase here or at the door.
Know Your Rights
Join us at Art of Noize as we partner with Free DC for a “Know Your Rights” training and campaign overview to learn how to conduct yourself should you encounter federal law enforcement in the District.
Doors open at 1pm, presentation starts at 2pm. Event is free & open to the public.
"Sessions" Open Mic
Join us at our monthly open mic hosted by Nerd the Poet (@nerdthepoet).
Open Mic at Art of Noize is a space for poets, instrumentalists, vocalists, MCs, and anyone willing to share their art. It’s a place where artists are free to create and not required to be as formal as they are in other venues. Artists are encouraged to expand the boundaries of their expression, connect with other artists, and play, sing, rap, or dance as if no one is watching. Participants have the choice of performing alongside DJ Freequincy (@kleluvsart) or a band.
We hope to see you there! Click here for tickets!
Doors open at 6:30pm and will event will start at 7pm.
Opening Reception-"Grandma's Hands"
This exhibition showcases Dr. Lisa Cain stunning collection of figurative folk art and collage, highlighting Dr. Cain’s deep connection to the cultural heritage of her upbringing in the South. Growing up, Dr. Cain worked alongside her grandmother in the fields as a girl, while her father taught her chemistry which lead her to becoming a neuroscientist, of which only 4% are Black and even fewer are Black women.
Set against colorful acrylics & historic photos of daily life in the rural South, as a Mississippi native, Dr. Cain aims to send a message of hope and inspiration through her fond memories from the past in this exhibit “Grandma’s Hands.”
Event is Free & Open to the Public
"Grandma's Hands" Exhibition
Free Entry & Open to the Public
This exhibition showcases Dr. Lisa Cain stunning collection of figurative folk art and collage, highlighting Dr. Cain’s deep connection to the cultural heritage of her upbringing in the South. Growing up, Dr. Cain worked alongside her grandmother in the fields as a girl, while her father taught her chemistry which lead her to becoming a neuroscientist, of which only 4% are Black and even fewer are Black women.
Set against colorful acrylics & historic photos of daily life in the rural South, as a Mississippi native, Dr. Cain aims to send a message of hope and inspiration through her fond memories from the past in this exhibit “Grandma’s Hands.”
“I am a memory painter and a proud product of the hands that picked cotton and farmed the land. I am proud to have the ability to pay honor to the brilliance of those individuals of the old days, a brilliance that was not necessarily shaped by the pages of a textbook, but by the pages of life. Some of the people that I paint about were extremely intelligent individuals who never finished high school or college because they had to work or because they had to raise their families. Every story that I tell is one that focuses on the wealthy inheritance that I received from my parents and those in my community, a wealth that does not rust and cannot be destroyed with time. I hope that through my art I can remind society of the importance of retaining some of the culture of the past generations.”-Dr. Cain
Closing Reception - "The Pan-African World's Fair" Exhibition
World fairs are international exhibits displaying the achievements of nations. Largely focused on technological & scientific developments, while other world fairs focus on industrializing the world we intend to save it.
Join us on Friday, September 12th, for one last look at the riveting exhibition, “The Pan-African World’s Fair,” featuring works by Maurice James Jr.
Event is free & open to the public.
Artist Talk
Please join us at the artist talk, with special host BeMo Brown, with artist Maurice James Jr. to discuss the in-depth work behind the current exhibition “The Pan-African World’s Fair.”
This event is free & open to the public.
Sessions-Open Mic
Join us once a month on Sundays from 7:30pm - 9:00pm (doors open at 6:30pm) for Sessions, an open mic event at Art of Noize hosted by Nerd the Poet (@nerdthepoet), live music by DJ Freequincy or band, featuring DMV based writer & poet Sola Kush with highlighted artist Brenda the Poet!
If you have yet to join us for our monthly in-house open mic, Sessions is a flow session for poets, instrumentalists, vocalists, MCs, and anyone willing to share their art. It’s a space where artists are free to create and not required to be as formal as they are in other venues. Sessions is a space where artists are encouraged to expand the boundaries of their expression, connect with other artists, and play, sing, rap, or dance as if no one is watching. Participants have the choice of performing alongside DJ Freequincy or a live band.
Advance tickets can be purchased below for guarantee admission or at the door.
The Science Behind the Beer
Join us Friday, August 15th for a special presentation by the Brewmasters of Soul Mega on “The Science Behind the Beer.” Doors open at 6PM and the event will last until 8:00PM.
Guests will have the chance to learn about the brewing process of beer and participate in a free tasting, which intercedes with current exhibition “The Pan-African World’s Fair.”
This free event for ages 21 and up and is first come first served.
"The Pan-African World's Fair" Exhibition
World fairs are international exhibits displaying the achievements of nations. Largely focused on technological & scientific developments, while other world fairs focus on industrializing the world we intend to save it.
Come check out the riveting exhibition, “The Pan-African World’s Fair,” featuring works by Maurice James Jr. Gallery hours are Thursdays - Saturdays 12PM - 6PM throughout the exhibition.
"Sessions" Open Mic
Join us once a month on Sundays from (doors open at 6:30pm) 7:30pm - 9:00pm for Sessions, an open mic event at Art of Noize hosted by Nerd the Poet (@nerdthepoet), live music by DJ Freequincy or band, with guest artist Bajsh!
If you have yet to join us for our monthly in-house open mic, Sessions is a flow session for poets, instrumentalists, vocalists, MCs, and anyone willing to share their art. It’s a space where artists are free to create and not required to be as formal as they are in other venues. Sessions is a space where artists are encouraged to expand the boundaries of their expression, connect with other artists, and play, sing, rap, or dance as if no one is watching. Participants have the choice of performing alongside DJ Freequincy or a live band.
Advance tickets can be purchased below for guarantee admission or at the door.
Opening Reception: "The Pan-African World's Fair"
Please join us at the opening reception of our next exhibition “The Pan-African World’s Fair,” featuring the works by the talented Maurice James Jr.
World fairs are international exhibits displaying the achievements of nations. Largely focused on technological & scientific developments, while other world fairs focus on industrializing the world we intend to save it.
This event is free & open to the public.
Closing Reception: "Behind the Veil" Exhibition
Please join us for the final chance to view the amazing work of Candice Tavares at the Closing Reception on Saturday, July 12th from 3p-6p. This event is free & open to the public.
This exhibition is a love letter to every woman that let a person, place or outdated ignorant idea make her think she was not good enough, pretty enough, feminine enough, docile enough to be worthy of the love & acceptance she deserves.
Maternal Health Discussion
As part of our current exhibition, “Behind the Veil,” featuring artist Candice Tavares, we invite to our maternal health discussion scheduled for Saturday, July 5, 2025 10:00AM - 12:00PM. This event highlights women’s wellness, reproductive health, and psychological safety, while highlighting some of Candice’s works related to the topic.
This event is free & open to the public.
Meet the Host
Tanay Lynn Harris (she/her) is a Certified Lactation Specialist and Perinatal Educator, & a Postnatal Doula. She is a community-centered researcher & ethnographer focuses on Black maternal health, breastfeeding medicine, transnational reproduction, abolition and human rights. Tanay has worked with various national & international human rights & racial justice institutions over the past 18 years, and is the current co-chair of the Maryland Maternal Health Improvement Taskforce alongside Dr. Donna Neale. Additionally, Tanay is the co-editor of a maternal health equity toolkit for Maryland Hospitals. Tanay is a graduate of African Studies at Temple University, and the School for Social Policy & Practice at the University of Pennsylvania.
"Session" Open Mic
Join us once a month on Sundays from 7:30pm - 9:00pm for Sessions, an open mic event at Art of Noize hosted by Nerd the Poet (@nerdthepoet), live music by DJ Freequincy or band.
If you have yet to join us for our monthly in-house open mic, Sessions is a flow session for poets, instrumentalists, vocalists, MCs, and anyone willing to share their art. It’s a space where artists are free to create and not required to be as formal as they are in other venues. Sessions is a space where artists are encouraged to expand the boundaries of their expression, connect with other artists, and play, sing, rap, or dance as if no one is watching. Participants have the choice of performing alongside DJ Freequincy or a live band.
Advance tickets can be purchased here for guarantee admission or at the door.
Jazz & Justice Festival Art in the Park
WPFW, in collaboration with Washington Parks and People present the Jazz & Justice Festival, Sunday, June 22nd, from noon until 8pm. The festival is an activation of music, poetry social justice teach-ins, visual art, wellness, children’s activities, and more in Malcolm X Park. WPFW personalities Sais Kamalidin, Ka’Ba Soulsinger, and Proverbs Reggae Bandwill will be performing, with sets by DJs Lance Reynolds and Underdog. Also featured will be an art show curated by Art of Noize and a CommuniTEA created by Melani Douglass. Stay tuned to WPFW for updates and details. Click here for free tickets.
Mental Health Talk + Art
June is Mental Health Awareness Month, and as part of our current exhibition, we will have discussion moderated by renowned Psychiatrist, Dr. Aeva Doomes. Dr. Doomes is a double board-certified Psychiatrist specializing in the mental health of women, children, and adolescents. With almost twenty years of clinical experience, she helps women navigate life transitions with clarity, confidence, and emotional resilience, particularly in the areas of perimenopause, identity shifts, and professional burnout. Dr. Doomes is passionate about demystifying mental health, breaking stigma, and creating culturally competent care spaces where women feel seen, supported, and empowered. She is the founder of a private practice based in Washington, DC, and a sought-after speaker on emotional intelligence, hormonal mental health, and the intersection of career and caregiving.
This event is free & open to the public.
"Behind The Veil" Exhibition
The current exhibition, “Behind The Veil,” is a love letter to every woman that let a person, place or outdated ignorant idea make her think she was not good enough, pretty enough, feminine enough, docile enough to be worthy of the love & acceptance she deserves.
The artist, Candice Tavares, is a self-taught illustrator and wood artist born & raised outside of Philadelphia, PA. She was encouraged encouraged to experiment with different mediums during Saturday morning art classes and introduced woodworking while helping her dad build & fix furniture in his workshop. Her art is intended to remind Black people of their inherent beauty & value, and remind non-black viewers of their shared humanity with black & brown people through the common bonds of love, joy & longing.
Opening Reception of "Behind The Veil" Exhibition
Join us at the opening reception of our newest exhibition, “Behind The Veil,” on Saturday, June 14th from 3pm-6pm, featuring artist Candice Tavares.
This exhibition is a love letter to every woman that let a person, place or outdated ignorant idea make her think she was not good enough, pretty enough, feminine enough, docile enough to be worthy of the love & acceptance she deserves.
This event is free & open to the public.
Closing Reception & Artist Talk of Current Exhibition
Join us at the closing reception & artist talk with current exhibition artist, Hadiya Williams.
“Between Starshine and Clay,” is a solo exhibit that presents a collection of ceramic lighting and generative works that look at memory and material through experimentation. Drawing on the aesthetics of mid-century and Black modernist traditions, this body of work reflects Hadiya’s continued interest in form and function, nostalgia, and the healing power of craft. “Between Starshine and Clay” draws its title from the poetry of Lucille Clifton, and speaks to a metaphorical space between the cosmic and the terrestrial—a liminal place where Hadiya exists and creates. It’s in this in-between that her work takes shape. These lamps and generative works offer illumination and invite clarity, spirituality, and grounding.
This event is free & open to the public.
Sessions - Open Mic
Join us once a month on Sundays from 7:00pm - 9:00pm for Sessions, an open mic event at Art of Noize hosted by Nerd the Poet (@nerdthepoet), live music by DJ Freequincy or band. This month’s featured artist is the great DMV-based writer & poet Ebony Quartz (@ebony_quartz)!
If you have yet to join us for our monthly in-house open mic, Sessions is a flow session for poets, instrumentalists, vocalists, MCs, and anyone willing to share their art. It’s a space where artists are free to create and not required to be as formal as they are in other venues. Sessions is a space where artists are encouraged to expand the boundaries of their expression, connect with other artists, and play, sing, rap, or dance as if no one is watching. Participants have the choice of performing alongside DJ Freequincy or a live band.
Advance tickets can be purchased below for guarantee admission or at the door.
Opening Reception: "Between Starshine & Clay" Exhibition
SAVE THE DATE!
Saturday, May 10, 2025
Opening Reception of our upcoming exhibition “Between Starshine & Clay” featuring works by Hadiya Williams!
"Between Starshine & Clay" Exhibition
Please come by to view the current exhibition “Between Starshine & Clay” featuring the works of Hadiya Williams.
“Between Starshine and Clay,” is a solo exhibit that presents a collection of ceramic lighting and generative works that look at memory and material through experimentation. Drawing on the aesthetics of mid-century and Black modernist traditions, this body of work reflects Hadiya’s continued interest in form and function, nostalgia, and the healing power of craft. “Between Starshine and Clay” draws its title from the poetry of Lucille Clifton, and speaks to a metaphorical space between the cosmic and the terrestrial—a liminal place where Hadiya exists and creates. It’s in this in-between that her work takes shape. These lamps and generative works offer illumination and invite clarity, spirituality, and grounding.
Sessions - Open Mic
Join us once a month on Sundays from 7:00pm - 9:00pm for Sessions, an open mic event at Art of Noize hosted by Nerd the Poet (@nerdthepoet), live music by DJ Freequincy or band.
If you have yet to join us for our monthly in-house open mic, Sessions is a flow session for poets, instrumentalists, vocalists, MCs, and anyone willing to share their art. It’s a space where artists are free to create and not required to be as formal as they are in other venues. Sessions is a space where artists are encouraged to expand the boundaries of their expression, connect with other artists, and play, sing, rap, or dance as if no one is watching. Participants have the choice of performing alongside DJ Freequincy or a live band.
Advance tickets can be purchased below for guarantee admission or at the door.