The government shutdown, which included the Smithsonian Institution, forced tourists visiting the District and local art appreciators to find alternatives to the 19 Smithsonian museums. While the inability to explore popular exhibits at favorite destinations like the Hirshhorn and the National Portrait Gallery was surely disappointing, those who searched found that the city offers hundreds of other galleries, museums and events that display the city’s cultural and creative versatility.
Honfleur Gallery (1241 Good Hope Rd. SE): This Anacostia space features contemporary pieces from artists all over the country and from rapidly-evolving Southeast Washington.
Studio G (912 Westminster St. NW): Artist George H. Smith-Shomari was featured in this year’s Art All Night in Shaw. The Howard University graduate’s work is heavily influenced by the “African Diaspora and Spirituality.”
Industry Gallery (1358 Florida Ave., NE, 2nd Floor): This gallery even has a chair made of motherboards and computer chips that Lady Gaga uses in promo art for her latest single.
Gallery O on H (1354 H St. NE): This gallery describes itself as a “community space where art, music and minds intersect for cultural experience” and frequently hosts live bands and plays a large part in the annual H Street Festival.
Long View Gallery (1234 9th St. NW): Serving as a gallery and event space, the Shaw gallery’s “blank canvas” walls frequently feature work from visiting national artists.
Flashpoint (916 G St. NW): Nestled in the heart of Chinatown, Flashpoint is sponsored by CulturalDC. The nonprofit gallery features photography and experimental exhibits. If you’re still eager for more art, there’s another public exhibit directly across the street in the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library’s Great Hall.
Arts@1830 (1830 14th St. NW): The chic, stark, white wall gallery also serves as a performing arts space and a framing shop.
Claude Taylor Photography (1627 Connecticut Ave. NW): Claude Taylor’s photos from Paris to St. Petersburg, Russia, line the walls of this Dupont Circle haunt. All prints are available to take home as well.
