Devon Rodriguez — Work in Progress

Devon Rodriguez presents *Work in Progress*, his memoir about growing up in a cramped, unsafe home in the Bronx and becoming a successful portrait artist despite profound hardship. He recounts how his grandmother, teachers, art, and determination helped him survive difficult circumstances, while subway sketches of commuters gave him a sense of control and helped him develop a fresh approach to realist portraiture.

Rodriguez also reflects on the Bronx of his childhood, the tattoos and rooftop graffiti that influenced him, and the people whose encouragement nurtured his talent. The Bronx-born artist, who is of Puerto Rican and Honduran descent, became widely known for his realistic portraits of subway passengers and has also depicted figures including former President Biden and Oprah. His work has appeared in *The New Yorker* and *The New York Times*, and he was named a 2025 TIME100 Creator and Forbes Top Creator.

When: Sunday, October 4, 2026

Showtime: 6:00 p.m.

Venue: St. Paul’s, 4900 Connecticut Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008

Tickets: Price not available. The event is ticketed.

Event type: Partnered, off-site nonfiction event.

Featured book: *Work in Progress: A Memoir* by Devon Rodriguez, a hardcover published September 29, 2026. The book is listed at $32.00.

Ages: No age guidance is provided.

Accessibility: No accessibility information is provided.

Run time: Not provided.