One of DC’s most important showcases of world-class art – which has put nearly $1 million in artists’ pockets – is set to take over 35,000 square feet for this multi-day event.
Umbrella Art Fair, one of Washington DC’s most important annual showcases for world-class local and national artists, collectors and art fans, is set to return for its milestone fifth anniversary year Friday, Nov. 21 through Sunday, Nov. 23, at International Square (1850 K St. NW).
Free, family-friendly and open to the public, Umbrella – presented by USAN USAN – will fill more than 35,000 square feet of vacant space convenient to the White House, George Washington University and downtown with mixed-media, contemporary artworks. And this year, for the first time, visitors to Umbrella will be able to make a date night or a whole day of it; food vendors, the restaurant and bar from International Square’s buzzy food market The Square will be open for all of Umbrella, allowing art fans an opportunity to refuel before or after traversing the fair.
Filling thousands of feet of vacant office space at International Square, Umbrella will feature more than 100 artists, including Autumn Spears, Rose Jaffe, Alex Solis, Tracie Ching, Jessie and Katey, and Tom Kim (aka Death by Narwhals). A series of guest curators will also add further depth and curation to Umbrella’s offerings: Expect works selected by Cultural DC/Torrents, Hamiltonian Artists, Nicholson Project, Laila Abdul-Hadi Jadallah/Art West Asia Projects and Capital Hill Boys Club. As always, Umbrella will also feature additional programming, including a Creative Mornings breakfast lecture series event with Umbrella co-founder Peter Chang on Nov. 21 and a Collector Coffee for established and aspiring collectors with the Phillips Collection on Nov. 22.
Umbrella is organized by the husband-and-wife team of muralist and entrepreneur Peter Chang and Ally Mumm. The co-founders of USAN USAN, they operate the Washington-based creative engine behind several of the city’s most attended arts events, including this year’s highly successful inaugural Umbrella Photo Fair and Friends of USAN exhibitions.
USAN USAN strives for Umbrella to serve as a vibrant ecosystem and economic framework for artists and creative entrepreneurs to show and sell their work amid diminishing local and federal resources. More than 75,000 people have attended the fair since its launch, and this year, Umbrella is more important than ever, as DC artists and cultural organizations face funding cuts, outside interventions and threat of censorship, and as the public endures a prolonged government shutdown that has affected access to DC’s many free museums.
Through USAN USAN’s unique coalition-building with nonprofit and for-profit entities, Umbrella is able to eschew both admission and commission. Every penny from every sale goes directly into artists’ pockets, while the fair also activates neighborhoods and fosters artistic opportunity through creative placemaking. Since 2019, Umbrella has directed nearly $1 million in sales to artists, empowering professionals across art, cultural and culinary realms.
This year’s Umbrella Art Fair is possible thanks to sponsors Events DC, Tishman Speyer, Social Supply, the Golden Triangle BID, Shinola, DSLBD and the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.
Umbrella will take place on the 5th Floor of International Square and at the Square, 1850 K St. NW. The fair is easily accessible by Metro via the Farragut West and Farragut North Metro stations.
A VIP Preview is slated Nov. 20 from 6-10pm, followed by a public opening celebration Nov. 21 from 6-10pm. Regular gallery hours will be Nov. 22 from noon-10pm and Nov. 23 from noon- 8pm. For a schedule of panels and additional events, and for more information, visit Umbrellaartfair.com and follow Umbrella on Instagram.
PRESS CONTACT: For additional information, interviews, and high-res imagery, please contact Hallie Angelo of MoKi Media at hallie.angelo@mokimedia.com or 443-798-4177.
About USAN USAN: USAN USAN is the force behind the annual Umbrella Art Fair, Umbrella Photo Fair, REDEYE Night Market, Studio USAN and numerous creative initiatives in the Washington DC region. USAN USAN was founded in 2023 by the husband-and-wife team of muralist and entrepreneur Peter Chang and Ally Mumm, who were driven by a desire to nurture a vibrant ecosystem and economic framework for artists and creative entrepreneurs amid diminishing local and federal resources. Through a unique model of eschewing commissions and coalition-building with non-profit and for-profit supporters of the arts, USAN USAN has been providing high-profile platforms for creatives to showcase their work and incredible experiences for art lovers, all while putting $1 million to date in the pockets of artists.
