“Northern Virginia Art Center” has the ring of an government institution, is long, and conflicts with other organizations with similar names in the same area. All of those reasons contribute to rebranding the year old art baby as “Gallery Underground.”
I have written before that Crystal City is a well designed and engineered community. It was either ahead of its time, right on time, or now emerging with life cycle extension. The location is easily accessible by public transportation and the potential for this below the pavement space is exciting.
With the Federal Government shrinking and having run away from this location that is so close to downtown DC, it is time to renew the area to attract the contractor base and federal tenants. DoD’s departure was a bad decision because, after all, the Pentagon is still there!
Well, it sounds like a winning strategy to engage artists to revitalize the community. Commercial developers should be praised for the idea that included bringing Artomatic to Crystal City.
“Gallery Underground and the Arlington Artists Alliance is excited to partner with the Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) and Vornado/Charles E. Smith, in the implementation of a master plan to make an exciting new arts destination, Art Underground. Gallery Underground is the new name for the Northern Virginia Arts Center, to be in alignment with this new master plan. Gallery Underground will continue to be a showcase of original artwork by over 40 regional artists with rotating monthly exhibits and special juried and solo shows.
In addition, the Arlington Artists Alliance will be managing artist studio spaces, Studios Underground, for artists within the Art Underground location. Over 20 studio spaces will be filled with working artists, most of whom are Arlington Artists Alliance members. The Studios Underground will be an outlet for local artists to create, practice and showcase their talents, while giving the public a chance to stop in and visit with artists in their creative environments.
Launch Party at Gallery Underground
Dates: March 16, 2013 7pm-9pm
Cost: FREEGallery Underground will celebrate our name change and the launch of our Studios Underground as part of the Art Underground Open House. This event will be an opportunity for the public to get a taste of the new arts destination, Art Underground, which Gallery Underground is proud to be a part of. There will be food, drinks, music, a ‘sip and paint’ event by ArtJamz, and open studios.
Located in the Crystal City Shops @ 2100 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202, this visual arts venue is sponsored by the Arlington Artists Alliance (AAA), in partnership with the Crystal City Business Improvement District (BID) and Vornado/Charles E. Smith to showcase the work of established and emerging regional artists. 40 artists exhibit paintings, drawings, sculpture, glass work, ceramics and jewelry. Gallery Hours: M-F 10:00 am - 6:00 pm, Saturday 10:00am - 2:00 pm. Metro accessible. Parking is available in metered spots on nearby streets and in public garages which are free all day Saturdays and after 4:00 on weekdays. For more information please check www.galleryunderground.org or call 571-483-0652.”
Gallery Underground (formerly Northern Virginia ART Center)
Crystal City Shops @ 2100 Crystal Drive, Arlington, VA 22202
info@galleryunderground.org
571 483-0652
www.galleryunderground.org
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