Museum of Graffiti D.C. Pop Up: Sneaker Stories Presented by Modelo

Miami’s Museum of Graffiti Pops Up in Washington, D.C. for the Very First Time

The Museum of Graffiti proudly announces its latest traveling exhibition, "Sneaker Stories" presented by Modelo, will come to Washington, D.C.'s Union Market District at 1270 5th Street NE for one weekend only. The pop-up will be open to the public for free from 10AM to 5PM on Friday, June 14, and from 10AM to 7PM on Saturday, June 15 and Sunday, June 16. This immersive experience will explore the historical ties and evolving relationship between graffiti art and sneaker culture through informative displays featuring rare sneakers and their corresponding art inspiration.

"Sneaker Stories," will provide a snapshot into Museum of Graffiti’s renown unorthodox approach to urban art education. The immersive exhibition will appear in the form of a faux sneaker store that highlights the many seminal crossover collaborations between graffiti artists and global commercial brands like Nike, Adidas, and Reebok. The limited edition sneakers, released from 2003 to present day, will be displayed alongside original artworks by the artists such as Futura, Cey Adams, Eric Haze, Claw Money, and Faust who have been tapped to create highly converted footwear that can sell on the secondary market for upwards of $20,000.

The show highlights how sneaker companies have leveraged the talent and rebellious nature of the graffiti community in such a way that sneakers have since transcended their original purpose to become integral to the fabric of urban culture and art. "Through 'Sneaker Stories,' we aim to celebrate the artists from the global graffiti art movement who have transitioned from the streets to appear inside the biggest companies in America like Nike, Reebok, and Adidas, only to then influence countless others along the way," says Alan Ket, co-founder of the Museum of Graffiti. "We're thrilled to partner with Modelo to bring this unique cultural exploration to Atlanta, inviting the community to uncover the stories behind the art and the artists who have routinely been stigmatized due to the negative connotations surrounding spray paint."

Inside the pop up, guests can expect to find Museum of Graffiti’s world-class gift shop, packed with limited edition collectibles, rare books, and apparel. Each visitor to the pop up will also be treated to a complimentary sneaker customization bar courtesy of Modelo featuring colorful new laces, charms, and buckle plates so that everyone can truly become their own sneaker designer. Panel discussions focused on the “Fighting Spirit Stories” of the artists-turned-sneaker-designers will be by RSVP and on a first-come-first serve basis.

About the Museum of Graffiti

The Museum of Graffiti, founded in 2019 in Miami, Florida, is dedicated to exhibiting, preserving, and elevating the history and evolution of graffiti art. By highlighting the work of prominent graffiti artists, both local and international, each exhibition explores the cultural and social significance of this art form. The museum boasts a significant collection of rare original paintings, photos, sculptures, ephemera, works on paper, and designs that come together to tell the story of how this renegade artform has captivated youth and adults for over fifty years. The Museum has recently become widely recognized for its robust educational programs, pop-ups, workshops, and events aimed at promoting graffiti art and its positive impact on communities. For more information, please visit museumofgraffiti.com and follow the brand on social media at @museumofgraffiti.

About Sneaker Stories

In the 1980s, sneakers and graffiti both underwent a transformative period, becoming intertwined elements of urban culture. Sneakers, once primarily sportswear, emerged as fashion statements, spurred by the rise of hip-hop culture. All of a sudden, we started seeing rap groups like RUN DMC build their visual identity around their sneakers, which lead them to a historic Adidas endorsement deal in 1986, the first of its kind between a Hip Hop group and a major sneaker brand. This shift opened avenues for collaboration between sneaker brands and other elements of Hip Hop, such as graffiti.

By the end of the decade, sneakers became a widespread symbol of identity and form of self-expression. While DIY customization of apparel and sneakers was a on trend, the 1990s brought about legitimate artist collaborations that created a new generation of sneaker fanatics and collectors. Sneaker brands like DC Shoes, Nike, and A Bathing Ape called on renowned graffiti artists such as Futura, Stash, and Kaws, to reimagine popular sneaker silhouettes as a means of branding them for street use and skateboarding—not just running.

These partnerships resulted in limited-edition releases that merged sneaker design with the artistic vision of the world’s top graffiti artists. Their convergence not only shaped fashion and street culture but also served as a testament to the enduring influence of urban art forms on mainstream aesthetics. Today, some of the early collaborations, like Futura’s FLOM Dunk High Pro SB Nike (2004), are some of the most sought after and valuable of all sneakers.

Sneaker Stories exhibits a wide selection of officially licensed sneaker collaborations where the top manufacturers in the world selected graffiti artists to keep their brands ahead of the competition. Visitors will see how artists such as 123Klan, Claw Money, Eric Haze, Faust, Kaws, IRAK, Neckface, OG Slick, Wane One, and others seized the opportunity to get their artwork to the masses in a new way. Most notable of these artists is Stash who spent the majority of his career bridging the worlds of art and fashion by delivering unique and culturally significant footwear options, leading him to earn a reputation as a master within the community.

Host or Publisher Museum of Graffiti