ReadysetDC A CREATIVE URBAN ENTERPRISE

DC Artists Go Big at the Grand (re)Opening of Long View Gallery

Words by Brandon Bloch + Allicia
Photos by Brandon Bloch

DC’s booming art scene has been given space to grow into at the refreshed and relaunched of Long View Gallery. While many galleries have closed down throughout the city, Long View’s expansion has demonstrated that DC’s thriving creative community is still alive.

Drew Porterfield

The theme for the night seemed to be “Go Big” as many of the artists took advantage of the gallery’s massive wall space to create some of their largest work yet in terms of both dimension and boldness. Under the guidance of co-owner Drew Porterfield, the gallery has moved from its previous, much smaller space on 9th street, half a block to its new location just south of N Street. But such a short move has resulted in a huge upgrade. Sitting directly across from the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, the gallery relocated to a 5,000 square foot vacant building in Shaw.

Review + Photos after the jump. 

For several months, we have been looking forward to the grand opening of the gallery’s new location in Shaw. Last night’s Grand (re)Opening displayed breakthrough work from some of DC’s top emerged artists. Artwork from Scott G. Brooks, Matt Sesow, Dana Ellyn, Anna U. Davis, and Billy Colbert (who had an exhibition next door with Kelly Towles at The Dirty Green). Works by Steve Pyke, Drew Ernst, Mike Weber, Matt Sesow, Stacy Albano, Tony Savoie, John Whipple, Victor Ekpuk and Chris Stephens were also displayed in the gallery to create a vibrant and fitting background for a night of partying.

The new warehouse space is cavernous, with two gallery spaces under exposed loft ceilings, a framing workshop, and garage doors that open onto a brick-lined alleyway. Its more than four times larger in size compared to the original 800 ft location. With 20 ft ceilings, modern lighting and an industrial/Warehouse theme, the gallery’s capacity will be able to hold 400 guests during special events and exhibitions for both established and new artists.

The space was put to good use at last night’s party, where hundreds of stylish art fans mixed with the artists. A four-post canopy bed was provided in Blagden Alley for those who wanted to chill for a bit in the fresh October air. Two well-lit and well-stocked bars served cocktails throughout the evening, including neon green midori sours to match the gallery’s theme color, as DJs spun and Dissident Display provided light projections that bathed everyone in a halo of color.

This impressive opening seems to mark the beginning of a new era, not just for Long View Gallery, but for the artists it hosts and the DC arts community as a whole. Some fantastic shows and great memories were created at the old space, but the new Long View Gallery truly is the world-class gallery that this city deserves, and we’re looking forward to watching DC’s art scene grow into its new home.