Washington Printmalkers Gallery Celebrates Its New Place
Washington Printmakers Gallery, now in its 38th year in Washington, DC, celebrated a momentous Gala at our new location (1675 Wisconsin Ave) in Georgetown’s Book Hill. This is our sixth location since the gallery’s founding in 1985.
WPG spent eight excellent years at our previous location, 1641 Wisconsin Ave NW. We began looking for a new location only when we learned our building would be sold. Any transition is filled with research, planning and execution, and on January 2, 2023, we made the big move with all hands on deck. It was a chill winter day outside but warm within: new hanging rails were installed, storage areas were re-designed and an exhibition (Kate Lowman) was hung within a day of arriving. It was followed by another show (Eric Bushée.) Pretty impressive – both drew big crowds. Fast forward to Gala night, barely five weeks after the move. Our third show, New Beginnings: an All-Member Exhibition was hung with 42 artworks. Kudos to the hanging committee, which changed the configuration of our moving walls and created great viewing excitement.
All the while, people were stopping by to see just what was going on inside. A few days before the Gala, a team of designers, Judy Wientzen and Joyce Bradley filled our show window with a tableau causing passersby to stop and stare. Entitled Sunshine River of Springtime, it displayed 30 yards of yellow Nepalese silk on the floor (the river) and artwork by members, including a three dimensional printed chess set (Arthur Kohn) and dreamy framed work by Kate Lowman, Marie-B Cilia De Amicis and Rosemary Cooley, reflecting the cobalt blue, green and yellow theme. A vintage camera and tripod, lent by photographer member, Bob Burgess, graced the window, along with a tropical green feathered bird atop. The window is lit by day with strong sunlight and by night with subdued spotlights. Whimsical props lent by the designers created a fantasy story. It is clear that WPG is well and truly part of the local art scene in an intriguing way.
Soon, the courtyard of the building was strung with lights, new chairs were installed, and the dry flower box in front of the building was fed with new soil, watered and planted with springtime flowers by Joe Cooley. The place was coming alive in exciting ways.
Meanwhile, attractive Punchbowl online invitations to the Gala were designed and sent out by Marie, and a flyer advertising the evening was designed by new intern Priyananda Soubam and printed by Arthur. These were hand delivered to shops and galleries by Marie and Rani up and down Wisconsin Ave. Priyananda also created an informational brochure with a welcoming note from Marie, a listing of all our artists and their specialization, whether hand pulled prints, pigment prints or photographs, along with their website information. The food and wine donors were listed on the back. These were handed out at the Gala.
Did I just mention food? We at the gallery and at the Washington Print Foundation were overwhelmed by the generous donations by local stores, deli’s and wine shops.
People who didn’t even know us gave generously, and to the point where we seriously thought there would be copious leftovers. Not the case! Almost every morsel of charcuterie, sandwiches, chips, cookies and dessert offerings were consumed by the guests, who numbered well over one hundred. Fourteen WPG members and their guests attended the Gala,
We would like to thank all of our donors, who will also receive personalized notes from our grateful gallery members:
Bozzelli’s Deli
Say Cheese
Patisserie Poupon
Wegmans
Safeway
Trader Joe’s
Green Almond
Spicez
Jaco Juice and Taco Bar
A tall zinc table, generously lent by Rani Soudigar, was set up as a bar and tenders Eric, Catherine, Susie, Michele and Angela kept the vintages and soft drinks flowing. We ran out of glasses and had to dig into our reserves. Members served the edible treats on doily-lined trays to the guests. The huge cache of donated wine and fruit drinks by stores and members was all but finished.
The owner of our building and his wife, Jack and Mary Boarman, arrived exclaiming about the transformation of the spaces and the reconfiguration of the store room (spearheaded by Ron and Joe.) Mary reminded us how beautiful the courtyard will look in the warmer months. Guests exclaimed over this unexpected and well lit courtyard, visible through the tall glass and iron doors of the art studio. This dedicated studio space has already been the scene of many workshops and classes, with many more to come.
A welcome speech was given to guests by Marie (President of Washington Printmakers Gallery) on two occasions during the four-hour Gala. President of WPF, Ron Meick, described our non-profit arm, Washington Print Foundation, a 501(c) (3), and urged guests to consider making a donation.
Our much loved previous landlady, Shirley Tse, arrived with her sister, and was presented with roses and a handmade card signed by all members. Marie thanked her for our eight wonderful years at 1641 Wisconsin Ave NW and for her particular brand of warmth, proactiveness and generosity. Ours was a wonderful relationship, and Shirley was quite overwhelmed. She wrote after the gala wishing us many happy years in our new location.
As if the party were not enough, we had sales! Nine of them on Gala day and the Sunday following. It’s plain to see that our new street-level gallery, with a generous show window, has great visibility. Pedestrians stop and stare with many of them entering the gallery’s open doors. Our classes and workshops will bring in a whole new group of visitors. Clearly, Washington Printmakers Gallery has landed in upper Book Hill with a splash!