Fulton Leroy Washington, the Compton-based artist known as Mr. Wash, is spearheading a $15 million campaign to build a 14,000-square-foot community arts center and studio in his hometown. The project is being supported by his latest exhibition, "The City of Compton: Then & Now," and a showcase at Jeffrey Deitch’s Compton space titled "Don’t Turn Your Back On Us." Washington, who served 21 years of a life sentence before receiving clemency from President Barack Obama in 2016, gained international acclaim for his photorealistic "teardrop" portraits created while incarcerated.
This initiative represents a significant intersection of social justice and urban development, aiming to provide a creative sanctuary for at-risk youth and a professional landing pad for formerly incarcerated individuals. By leveraging his success in the high-end art world—including accolades from the Hammer Museum—Washington is attempting to institutionalize his practice of "creative labor" as a tool for community rehabilitation. The project, designed by UCLA’s NOW Institute, seeks to transform the narrative of Compton from one of systemic struggle to one of architectural and cultural grace.