CARROLL SQUARE GALLERY

975 F STREET NW

The Colors I See
When I Close My Eyes
A Follow Up Solo Exhibit

by Nia Keturah Calhoun

ON DISPLAY:

SATURDAY, MAY 17TH THRU

SUNDAY, JULY 6TH, 2025

GALLERY HOURS:

MON THRU FRI @ 10AM - 6PM

SAT @ 10AM - 3PM

About the Exhibit

A deeply personal exploration by multidisciplinary artist Nia Keturah Calhoun, delving into the inner landscapes that have shaped herโ€”from the vibrant dreams and haunting nightmares of her youth to the spiritual beliefs and religious traumas that have influenced her journey. Raised as a Black queer child in a family of preachers, Calhoun was immersed in a world rich with spiritual symbolism and religious doctrine. These early experiences instilled in her a complex relationship with faith, oscillating between reverence and questioning. Through this exhibition, she confronts the dualities of her upbringing, embracing the beliefs that have both terrified and strengthed her.

Calhoun's work is a tapestry of technicolor visions, with each piece serving as a portal into the subconscious realms that reside within us all. By channeling the perspective of her younger self, she captures raw emotions and unfiltered perceptions often lost in adulthood. This show is not just a reflection of her personal narrative but an invitation for viewers to examine their own inner worldsโ€”the dreams that inspire them, the fears that hinder them, and the beliefs that define them.

In creating these pieces, Calhoun strives to make space for joy, spiritual enlightenment, self-acceptance, and community. It's a journey toward understanding and embracing the complexities of identity, resonating with those who seek to do the same.

Artist Bio

Nia Keturah Calhoun is a multidisciplinary artist and designer based in Washington, D.C., whose vibrant work explores the real and imagined connections of Black America. Her practice spans murals, mixed media, and graphic design, often weaving themes of spirituality, queerness, and Black History into public art that celebrates Black joy, community, and resilience.

Born in North Carolina and raised in the DMV, Calhoun began drawing during church services led by her father, a pastor. She attended Spelman College before leaving to pursue music, releasing several mixtapes under the name Nia Keturah. By 2014, she transitioned into visual art, bringing her lyrical sensibility into a new medium.

Calhounโ€™s work has been featured in exhibitions with the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center, the 2017 Womenโ€™s March, and the National Cherry Blossom Festival. Notable projects include the โ€œFacing the Rising Sunโ€ mural honoring Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson and a Juneteenth illustration commissioned by the Human Rights Campaign. Her art has appeared in The Guardian, Hypebeast, BBC Radio 1, and The Washington Post. A frequent collaborator and community advocate, Calhoun continues to use her platform to amplify Black narratives and create spaces of joy and reflection throughout the D.C. area.