For more than 70 years, Beverly Pepper (1922–2020) explored new purposes and processes in creating large-scale sculpture. Today, she is celebrated for her innovative, hands-on work with iron, steel, and earth, materials conventionally associated with male artists. This focus exhibition features several gallery-scaled sculptures by Pepper, including works from NMWA’s collection, maquettes for large-scale works, and a new film about the artist’s monumental projects.

Pepper focused on the essential relationship between sculpture and its environment, whether rural or urban. The exhibition at NMWA complements Beverly Pepper: Ten Monumental Sculptures, an expansive outdoor installation along New York Avenue, directly outside NMWA’s front door. Visitors to the museum’s vibrant downtown neighborhood can combine a stroll along the avenue with a visit to NMWA to learn more about the artist and her revolutionary approaches to sculpture.

NMWA’s exhibition and the outdoor sculpture installation are part of a longstanding program called the New York Avenue Sculpture Corridor. Established by NMWA and the DowntownDC Business Improvement District in 2010, the corridor enlivens and enriches the city’s downtown area through the exhibition of distinguished public artworks.