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“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” — African Proverb Friends, I’m deeply honored and proud to share that four of my works have been permanently acquired by Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens. This quote feels especially true as I reflect on my journey and relationship with @artofnoizedmv It’s so important for artists to find genuine and supportive connections with galleries, and I feel incredibly grateful to have found Art Of Noize early on after moving to DC and living in Petworth. I first walked into the gallery not seeking representation, but simply to experience and enjoy the work of other artists. I could have never imagined where that connection would lead. I’m grateful for the relationships and support that helped bring my work into a museum collection dedicated to preservation, storytelling, and history. There’s something deeply meaningful about knowing that in 2024, a hopeful lens-based artist born in Eritrea, raised in Addis Ababa, and later shaped in Chicago, would one day document the gardens of @hillwoodmuseum with her @hasselblad film camera and have that work preserved as part of the institution’s collection. Thank you to everyone who continues to believe in and support my journey. ✨🌺#dcphotographers #handmadephotography #dcfineartphotographers #alternativeprocess #archivalart

To me, photography means cultivating relationships with people who have stories to tell. It begins with getting to know one another and building the trust that takes place long before my time in the studio. I was so proud to find out that the @thedcarts DC Commission on the Arts & Humanities Art Bank acquired my work at the end of last year. This large piece, The Astronaut from my Series The Games We Played, came from a story shared with me by a Washingtonian during my research phase, about playing dress up as a child, one of their favorite games. More than ever (thanks Artemis), this image reminds me that our eyes should gaze upon a world bigger than us, to space, to curiosity, to imagination, and to the exploration that happens when we allow ourselves to be playful. I’m also happy to share that the MLK Library (the very place that I did my archive research of original silver gelatin prints) will be loaning the piece from the Art Bank for exhibitions for the next year. If you have a chance, stop by tomorrow, #mlklibrarydc May 7 at 6pm for the opening. Grateful that I get to share our stories here in my hometown, DC. Stay tuned for a solo show @artofnoizedmv ward 4 in October featuring the entire series.

Super excited to be bringing a mindfulness-based cyanotype printing workshop to teens at the @nationalgallery . Seats are filling up—if you have a teen who loves photography, be sure to sign them up soon. April 19th at 2pm 💙🤍 🌿 sign ⬆️ link in bio 🦋 Photo by @jive.shot

@alifetimewithlella 🤍

#MyYEPStory will always mean so much to me. As an Eritrean born Ethiopian American lens based artist in DC. I’m grateful for @yepnetwork allowing me to share my story with my community. Love ya 🤍💙 Join the 15-year celebration gala and help raise $200K so YEP’s legacy can continue making impacts that’s matters. #storytelling @yepnetwork Be in the room ✨

SAVE THE DATE ✨ I’m excited to share that my work will be included in Carte Blanche: Works on Paper at gallery neptune & brown. Opening reception: Saturday, March 28 | 5–7 PM On view through May 9, 2026 This exhibition brings together nine artists exploring the material possibilities of paper through photography, drawing, painting, collage, and mixed media. I’ll be showing selections from Flower Studies, created during my year-long residency at Hillwood—an ongoing exploration of time, observation, and the quiet tension between what fades and what is preserved. Would love to see you there 🤍 📍 1530 14th St NW, Washington, DC — #dcart #washingtondcartist #contemporaryphotography #analogphotography #worksonpaper

After a year and a half of working quietly, I’m grateful to share that my Flower Studies have debuted at Hillwood Estate, Museum & Gardens as part of On Time: Giving Form to the Fleeting (on view in the Dacha Building) Returning to the darkroom, editing, and slowly sequencing this work reminded me that the work that makes no noise is still necessary. This year has been about steadiness, building a home and darkroom of my own in DC, and reflecting on what it means to make and take up space for myself and my practice as an Eritrean-born Ethiopian American immigrant. In these tumultuous times, I’ve been looking inward to tend to my inner garden and ask myself what it means to be an artist when the world around you is falling apart. It has been a quiet defiance to create, to speak, to use everything I have for peace, love, and connection, and on March 11th, I will reflect on my 1-year fellowship that has brought me here. I’m looking forward to being in conversation with curator Wilfried Zeisler @wzeisler and gallerist Adrian Ferguson @artofnoizedmv for the upcoming artist talk. I would truly love to see you there. RSVP link in bio 🌺 Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 5:30pm In-Person + Zoom 🌿5:30-6:30 p.m. Explore Hillwood + mansion, gardens, greenhouse, and exhibition, On Time: Giving Form to the Fleeting, on view in the dacha. 🌿6:30-7:30 p.m. | Artist Talk & Conversation 🪾4155 Linnean Ave , NW

A year of walking the same paths. A year of light, patience, and return. Grateful to everyone who made it possible for me to photograph the garden across the seasons (specifically these two guys) and to see the work held in a museum during the opening was an incredible experience. Deep thank you @artofnoizedmv @wzeisler Inviting you to my artist talk March 11th at 5:30 come see my work, enjoy the gardens and hear me talk about my time @hillwoodmuseum during my one year Artist Fellowship. I promise you’ll leave inspired. 🌺

NEW ARRIVALS. Award-winning Photographer Redeat “Red” Wondemu (@itslikered8 ) is continuing her “Modern Muse” series with prints. Traversing her homeland of Ethiopia, Wondemu meticulously crafted this pre-conceptualized series using film photography. Her approach to her subjects exudes thoughtfulness, reverence, and boundless imagination. Notably, this series gained accolades with a solo exhibition at the Addis Ababa Museum, and clinched the prestigious “Best in Show” title at the Photographic Process group exhibition hosted by the Art League in Virginia. Prints are available at the gallery. Get them while they last! #artofnoizedmv #AoN #washingtondc #artgallery

Hi Friends! I’m in a group show opening tomorrow night @waverly.street.gallery at 6:30pm. I’ll be debuting two new Flower Studies pieces from my fellowship at @hillwoodmuseum . If you're ready to face the cold and come out, we'd love to see you there 🌸 Stay tuned for the artist talk coming up.

Flower Studies at @hillwoodmuseum Orchids 🌸

Flower Studies Ginkgo Bilbao leaves collected in the Fall: Silver Gelatin contact printed.