Art in Washington usually conjures up images of historic works, but the scene north of downtown paints a more contemporary portrait. Fourteenth Street has emerged as a true artists’ hub, the local equivalent of New York’s Chelsea district. The vibrant, constantly evolving neighborhood is as colorful as the canvasses, installations and mixed-media works on display in its many galleries, attracting a modern mix of immigrants, groovy youth and pioneering homesteaders. “It’s an exciting [area] in terms of demographics,” says Annie Gawlak, director of G Fine Art. “The neighborhood has an enthusiasm for newcomers, and galleries in particular,” adds George Hemphill, owner of the Hemphill Gallery. Arty types like Gawlak and Hemphill relocated here—and their roster of artists soon followed. The galleries in the former Hudson Auto showroom are the centerpiece of this flourishing arts enclave; its industrial space, developed specifically to exhibit all kinds of artistic productions, turns 2 years old this month. Visit it and the latest offerings from upstart artists and boldfaced names. Chelsea, eat your “art” out.
Adamson Gallery David Adamson specializes in digital images and photography. Beginning in mid-September, he’ll debut a series of new prints by William Wegman, his second major show at the gallery, but his first at the new space. (1515 14th St., NW; 202/232-0707; www.adamsoneditions.com)
G Fine Art This fall, check out exhibits by Maggie Michael, an abstract painter, and Miguel Angel Rios, who works in textured paintings. Also on view, Iona Rozeal Brown explores the influence of hip-hop on Asian culture. (1515 14th St., NW; 202/462-1601; www.gfineartdc.com)
Gallery Plan B Owner Paula Amt supports local artists in this tidy, ground-floor space. September brings a series of paintings by Kevin Adams, a former Marine Corps officer who specializes in landscapes and cityscapes. (1530 14th St., NW; 202/234-2711; www.galleryplanb.com)
Hemphill Gallery Hemphill is all about contemporary art; in September, come see Robin Rose, an artist specializing in the medium of encaustic on aluminum. (1515 14th St., NW; 202/234-5601; www.hemphillfinearts.com)
Irvine Contemporary Art The conceptual and the cutting-edge align in the sparse space previously occupied by the well-regarded (and now San Francisco–based) Fusebox. In September, the gallery hosts the first-ever solo show in the United States by Madrid-based photographer Inigo Navarro Davila. (1412 14th St., NW; 202/332-8767; www.irvinecontemporaryart.com)
Transformer Gallery On Sept. 10, D.C.-based Jason Zimmerman debuts his large-scale video projection, culled from more than 150 episodes of Cops, looped to create one continuous foot chase. (1404 P St., NW; 202/483-1102; www.transformergallery.org)
