Congolese artists bring exhibition on resilience and memory to Old Town yoga studio

'From Pain to Power' runs July 10 through Sept. 10 at 532 Yoga, Arts, & Culture

, and Ryan Belmore

July 7, 2026 . 5:00 PM

2 min read

A painting by Christian Sitili, whose bold, expressionistic work is part of the "From Pain to Power" exhibition at 532 Yoga, Arts, & Culture. The show opens Thursday and runs through Sept. 10. (532 Yoga, Arts, & Culture)

ALEXANDRIA, Va. - A contemporary art exhibition featuring two renowned Congolese artists opens Thursday at 532 Yoga, Arts, & Culture in Old Town, running through Sept. 10.

"From Pain to Power: Resilience. Memory. Hope." features paintings by Christian Sitili and Benjamin Mbenga that blend emotion, memory and symbolism to explore themes of resilience, collective memory and the pursuit of peace. Five Congolese face masks will also be on display.

Artist Benjamin Mbenga poses alongside one of his large-scale portrait paintings. Mbenga's work is featured in "From Pain to Power," on display at 532 Yoga, Arts, & Culture in Old Town through Sept. 10. (532 Yoga, Arts, & Culture)

The exhibition is presented by the Embassy of the Democratic Republic of Congo in Washington in partnership with the Lipanda Foundation.

Free open viewing takes place Thursdays from 1 to 1:30 p.m. Private tours can be requested by emailing suzanne@532yoga.com.

An opening reception is scheduled for July 30 from 6 to 7:30 p.m., featuring opening remarks by H.E. Yvette Kapinga Ngandu, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, along with a chance to meet artist Christian Sitili and enjoy light refreshments. Reservations can be made at contact@lipandafoundation.org.

532 Yoga, Arts, & Culture is located at 500 Montgomery St., Suite 120, in Alexandria's Old Town North Arts & Cultural District. More information is available at 532yoga.com.