01/11/2026
Very excited to be curating this show to kick off Black History Month. El-Badr Cauley is an incredible artist whose work transforms driftwood collected from the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers into powerful mixed-media assemblages exploring ancestry, migration, survival, and Black cultural continuity.
This exhibition offers a moment to pause and step away from the noise, an opportunity to immerse yourself in art, culture, and poetry. With entertainment by DJ Art.is with a special open mic, and live poetry woven throughout the exhibition, the evening invites reflection, connection, and joy.
Valley Place Arts Collaborative, in collaboration with Honfleur Gallery, proudly presents Life in Wood: Anacostia River Walk — a landmark exhibition honoring the life, legacy, and six-decade artistic practice of DC cultural artist John Zaire El-Badr Cauley.
Incorporating ancient gilding techniques, 24-karat gold leaf, found objects, shells, and personal artifacts, each piece carries history within its grain. The exhibition also features El-Badr’s Collage Collection (1990–1995), honoring the visual legacy of Ebony, Jet, and Essence magazines, alongside selections from his Black History stamp archive.
This exhibition invites viewers to experience fine art beyond traditional gallery walls, where decoration becomes cultural practice and space becomes memory.
🎨 Curated by Luis Del Valle