<b>Owners: </b>
Mary Allen, Helen Dilley Barsalou, Alan Becker, Susan Chaboud, Dennis Crayon Helen Daniel, Kay Egyhazy, Wayne Guenther, Debbie Hoeper, Chrystyna Kinal, Darlene Kaplan, Mary Ellen King-Miller, Paula Lantz, Cindi Lewis, Alan Magazine, Pam McDonough, Liz Sipe-Card, Judy Smith, Cary Sober, Charles Weaver.Gail Weyant, Richard Whiteley
<b>Description of Shop: </b>
Gallery West is an artist-owned and operated fine art gallery that has been in business in Old Town Alexandria since 1979. In April of this year, the gallery moved from its long-time location at 205 South Union Street to 1213 King Street. A Grand Reopening reception on May 13 celebrated the gallery’s move to the King Street corridor. The relocation has already begun to achieve the gallery’s objectives of increasing the number of visitors and boosting sales of the members’ art work.
Gallery West currently has 22 established and emerging artists as members. They work in a variety of styles, media, and subject matters. Visitors to the gallery can choose among photographs; oil, acrylic, and watercolor paintings; collage and mixed media works; turned wood; ceramics; and photo collages. Each month, the gallery displays a group exhibit including work from all the member artists, and a featured artist show highlighting work by one, or a few, of the gallery’s members. Receptions are frequently held to highlight gallery exhibits.
As a cooperative gallery with no paid staff, Gallery West depends on its member artists to carry out all the gallery’s functions, from hanging the art work to managing the business’s finances to taking out the trash. Artists seeking to join the gallery are voted on by existing members after a review of the prospective members’ work. Gallery President Cindi Lewis says that there are a variety of reasons why artists join cooperative galleries. "It’s wonderful for artists to know that they will have a regular opportunity to exhibit their work, without the constraints and high commissions imposed by traditional commercial galleries. Joining a co-op gallery is also a great way to learn something about the art gallery business and to participate in community of artists."
<b>Getting There: </b>
Gallery West is located at 1213 King Street, about six blocks east of the King Street Metro station, and is accessible by DASH and Metro buses.
<b>Hours of Operation: </b>
t is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 11 a.m. until 6 p.m. On the second Thursday of each month, the gallery remains open until 9 p.m. for Alexandria’s Second Thursday Art Walk. More information about the gallery and its member artists can be found on Gallery West’s web site, www.gallery-west.com.