to be enjoyed by those who can afford it.
Beauty is a universal necessity.
"ART SHOULDN'T JUST BE A TREASURE
public ART IS VITAL."
- Nicole Bourgea
nicole'S
story
Nicole is a DC area native artist and muralist. Nicole believes strongly in the power of public art to inspire, advocate inclusion and foster community. She grew up as the oldest child of a single mother with little financial security but access to the many free museums in DC. The experience was an early education in the vital importance of art to uplift the heart and encourage positive change. Today, Nicole enjoys using her skills as a painter to work in partnership with businesses, organizations and communities to spread love and hope through publicly accessible art.
CONNECT WITH NICOLE
AS-IS: AN URBAN PORTRAIT PROJECT
1N 2010, BOURGEA LAUNCHED A PUBLIC ART INSTALLATION -
A YEAR’S WORTH OF LARGE, HIGHLY-DETAILED, OIL PAINTINGS OF PEOPLE SHE MET IN PASSING AROUND THE CITY.
As Nicole placed the portraits of those she had met throughout the city, she left a note next to each inviting the subjects of these paintings to keep their portrait. The experience of painting commissioned portraits had drawn her attention to the hunger that all people have to be truly seen. After a decade of working on commissioned portraits, Nicole launched AS IS as a way of sharing the gift of notice with more people.
“Not only did Nicole transform our plain gray wall into a work of art, she brought a revived sense of pride to our staff and to the neighborhood with her art and message. And the cherry on top was that she was an absolute joy to work with. We could not be happier!”
- MICHAEL SANDS,
OWNER OF CALVERT WOODLEY FINE WINES & SPIRITS
“Nicole’s mural made our nondescript building into a vibrant Kensington landmark. The way she involved our community of people with and without disabilities in the designing and painting made it all the more meaningful.”
-Steve Kenner,
Executive Director, Jubilee Association of Maryland
“Nicole’s Wheaton Headquarters mural is a beautiful, active and engaging piece of public art celebrating the great diversity of our community. Its creation was also a tremendous learning experience for five young apprentice artists who will continue the mural painting tradition into our county’s future. Nicole won the commission through an extensive public voting process and they could not have picked a better winner!”
