For the last eight years, Conner Contemporary Art has been one of the creative hubs of Dupont Circle with its focus on emerging and experimental artists. Located on the north end, it has served as a entryway to the neighborhood, leading into the plethora of neighborhood galleries, bookstores, and craft shops. But the gallery announced today that it will soon be shifting homes to Trinidad, in the large, 12,000 sq. ft. former auto body shop at 1358-1360 Florida Ave. NE.

The new Conner Contemporary will be just a block or two from the slate of newish H Street bars, and should help anchor the neighborhood even further as it develops into what could be a new artistic center in the city for venues being driven out of Northwest by rising rents and property taxes. Conner intends to make the huge space adaptable to keep with its creative mission, in particular, the *gogo art projects. As their announcement notes:

At a time when galleries face rising rents in commercial sectors of major cities including DC, New York and London, the acquisition of this building is an investment in our artists’ futures aimed at sustaining the integrity of our gallery program and securing its self-determination.

There is no set date for the grand opening yet though it’s expected sometime in the spring, and the current gallery will be open by appointment only in the meantime — meaning no shows or opening parties at the Dupont location during the fall gallery season.

Photo courtesy Conner Contemporary