Community Building in the Washington, DC area!!

SFP Editor: What is the Long View Gallery and how did it become established in Logan Circle? Drew Potterfield: The Long View Gallery is a contemporary art gallery focused mainly on figurative work by local and regional artists. The Logan Circle location is the sister gallery to our original space in Sperryville, VA. After nearly 10 successful years in business in VA, Long View Gallery decided to expand into Washington, DC a little over 2 years ago. We chose the Logan Circle neighborhood as our home because of its tight knit community, metro accessibility and expanding population.

SFP Editor: What about the Long View Gallery is unique to the DC gallery scene?

Drew Potterfield: I think our commitment to supporting the local art scene is one of Long View Gallery’s most unique qualities. By focusing on supporting artists living in and around DC, we feel we are investing in our community. Additionally, we feel the subject matter of the majority of our artists is different from the usual DC gallery scene. We work almost exclusively with figurative artists, steering clear of the ever popular abstract pieces that hang on many DC gallery walls.

SFP Editor: What are your goals for Long View Gallery in 2009?

Drew Potterfield: One of our goals in 2009 is to continue working with provocative and interesting local artists. We want to continue furthering the awareness about the wonderful art scene in DC, outside of the international representations of our local museums. Local artists are often overlooked in a city where world famous artists are on display regularly.

SFP Editor: What inspired you to become involved in the art world?

Drew Potterfield: I began my love of art in undergraduate school where I minored in photography. I eventually moved to New York and attended Parsons, continuing my studies in photography. I worked in several New York City galleries and knew this was the world for me.

SFP Editor: What is the process for identifying art to be featured at the gallery?

Drew Potterfield: The art we show here comes to us in many different ways. Sometimes through artist submission, studio visits or word of mouth. My eyes are always open, looking for who I want to work with next. I find artists at outdoor festivals, on the internet or even while they are still in school!

SFP Editor: What do you hope to achieve by raising awareness of local artists?

Drew Potterfield: I would like artists to feel DC is a supportive home for them. Having moved here from New York, where artists feel like they can make it, DC seems different. Most artists in DC look outside the city for representation. I want artists outside of DC to be trying to find representation in our city!

SFP Editor: What do you enjoy the most about living in Logan Circle?

Drew Potterfield: Logan Circle has a great mix of all kinds of people. It is central and accessible – it’s easy to get just about anywhere. I wouldn’t want to live or work anywhere else in DC.

SFP Editor: What is your involvement with the Logan Circle House Tour?

Drew Potterfield: The Long View Gallery will be hosting the Wassail along the tour. While folks on the tour check out the homes they can stop into the gallery, grab a cup of warm Wassail and have a look at our holiday offerings.

SFP Editor: What type of community events do you hold at your gallery?

Drew Potterfield: Long View Gallery hosts any number of community events from Candidate forums to ANC and neighborhood association meetings. The gallery is always available to rent for private parties as well.

SFP Editor: How can artists show their work at the gallery?

Drew Potterfield: The easiest way for us to review work for possible exhibition is through email. Send digital files, an artist statement and a resume to info@longviewgallery.co