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Long a fixture in the small Shaw rowhouse at the corner of 9th and N Streets NW across from the Convention Center, the Long View Gallery has moved a half block south to the larger-than-life, newly renovated 5000 square foot building owned by Douglas Development at 1234 9th Street NW. This Thursday, the gallery marks their grand opening with a celebratory gala and artists salon featuring many of the tried-and-true D.C. area artists who often populated the walls of the former venue, including Dana Ellyn, Matt Sesow, Drew Ernst, Scott Brooks, and Billy Colbert.
DCist stopped by Long View's new space on Tuesday to meet with co-owner Drew Porterfield, get a sneak peak at the locale, and see how construction was moving along just two short days before the opening. Almost six times as large as the old space, it truly is massive. With warehouse-like ceilings and an open floorplan, there is plenty of room for Long View's artists to display. In fact, Porterfield encouraged the artists in this month's exhibit to "go big" by creating works up to 6 x 8 feet to fill the new, expansive walls. The open space also leaves plenty of room for both large and small sculpture, which was mostly not an option in the older location.
Working with Douglas Development to renovate the space, Long View kept the gritty feel of the building--including the exposed brick, pipes and walls full of character--but added large, pristine, white panels with built-in rogue lighting which will illuminate the artwork from behind. Eventually, they will add movable walls so that the space can be redefined with each exhibit and event.
In addition to the gallery's framing services and its regular schedule of art openings and exhibits, Long View plans to use the space for larger private and public events, and the beauty and character of the space are a great fit. Lexus recently held an event at Long View, at which they used the large garage doors in the back of the gallery to drive the featured hybrid right into the showroom. Additionally, Ace of Cakes will be filming at the gallery in a few weeks, and according to Porterfield, a number of weddings have even been scheduled, including the February nuptials of artists Dana Ellyn and Matt Sesow. Other upcoming highlights include an exhibit in December to commemorate World Aids Day, and a solo show by Scott Brooks in May.
The Long View Gallery is located at 1234 9th Street NW and, after its grand opening on Thursday evening, will be open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
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i mean, i know that was a small place for a gallery, but that house up at 9th and N ain't tiny. man, i'd kill to have a row house that big!
According to Longview's Drew Porterfield, their old space was stated to be about 800 square feet, but he found it hard to believe that it was actually that large.
well, i meant the whole building. add up all three floors, and it has to be much more than 800 sq. ft. i get your point, though, that the one floor itself isn't much to work with.
The gallery's new space really is gorgeous and totally unique for DC. So chic and urban, a real showplace for the arts and a boon for the Shaw neighborhood. Kudos to all who made it happen.
Two notes:
1. The gallery's old space at 1302 9th has signed a new tenant. I hear it's a yoga studio. I saw bamboo flooring going in this morning.
2. The gallery's name is Long View Gallery, not Longview Gallery.
To see pictures from the Lexus event go to
http://gallery.aperryproductions.com/p1034012250/