TOUCHSTONE IS COMMUNITY

Artist-owned Touchstone Gallery has maintained a reputation for exhibiting contemporary work of high quality, vision and innovation by top-notch artists. Since the beginning, Touchstone’s mission remains unaltered: to enrich the lives of the community through exhibits of diverse contemporary collections of visual art; to promote a rich variety of artistic talent in the DC region; to connect collectors with its artists; and to foster continuing artistic and career growth of participating artist through encouragement and support. As a member owned and managed gallery, Touchstone artists enjoy the right to guide gallery policies and control their solo exhibitions. For each piece seen in any given monthly exhibit, countless others are located in each artist’s studio. Our director, artists and staffers are readily available for discussing all artwork types, techniques, and commission possibilities.

2016 Members (partial) L-R back: Alex Gray, Carolyn Johnson, Janet Wheeler, April Rimpo, Claudia Samper, Timothy Johnson, Pete McCutchen, Linda Bankerd, Mary Ott, David Alfuth, Colleen Sabo, Gale Wallar, JoAnne Block, Janathel Shaw, Jeanne Garrant. L-R Front: Mike Lang, Shelley Lowenstein, Ksenia Grishkova (director), Rosa Vera, Rosemary Luckett Not pictured: Steve Alderton, Lina Alattar, Jill Brantley, Marcia Coppel, Charlie Dale, Mari DeMaris, Elaine Florimonte, Judith Guiliani, Robert Goebel, Leslie Johnston, Makda Kibour, Harvey Kupferberg, Kate McConnell, McCain McMurray, Amy Sabrin, Maureen Squires, Lisa Tureson, Pat Williams, Lionel Daniels, Dana Brotman, Betsy Forster, Paula Lantz, Georgia Nassikas, BD Richardson, Richard Braswell, Jonathan Wassom, Harmon Biddle, David Beers, Newton More, Gail Vogels

TOUCHSTONE IS CONNECTING

“Touchstone Gallery has allowed me to discover and explore artists in an amazing variety of shows. This artist collective allows a collector to meet and understand the artist's perspective on their works – which enhances the personal connection to the art and the world it portrays. My collection has grown and matured from beautiful watercolor paintings to vibrant mixed media works from talented artists in the Mid-Atlantic region.” Chad Thyes, private collector

Touchstone Gallery is open Wednesday-Friday 11-6 and Saturday-Sunday 12-5. In addition to showing artwork, the Gallery offers its unique space for special event rentals.

For more information, contact: Ksenia Grishkova, Director, email info@touchstonegallery.com or call 202-347-2787

TOUCHSTONE IS BRICKS AND MORTAR (History Highlights)

1976: Touchstone Gallery was established as an artist-owned gallery and opened its doors at a large gallery at 2130 P St. NW in DuPont Circle, then the prime gallery area in Washington. Story has it that the opening crowd was so large that P Street was gridlocked for several hours. Touchstone operated from the P St. location for thirteen great years.

1990: Touchstone moved to a new space at the corner of R St and Connecticut Avenue NW, the old Toast and Strawberries building. The space was rented “as is” and was quickly renovated with the financial and in-kind support of donors and a local builder.

1995: Motivated to grow its membership and to associate itself with a cluster other galleries, Touchstone relocated to 406 7th St. NW, in what is now known as the historic Penn Quarter section of Washington. The new gallery offered an expansive exhibition space and quickly became a “destination gallery” in a very active art scene that included several exhibition spaces and five other galleries.

Touchstone enjoyed 15 years of successful exhibitions on 7th St., but decided to move to street level after the building was closed for renovation in 2009. “Many in the Penn Quarter neighborhood were saddened to learn that 406 7th Street’s owner planned on renovating the building, requiring the tenants, including Touchstone Gallery, to find new spaces to lease. Happily, Touchstone Gallery eventually found a home at Boston Properties new building on New York Avenue. Their presence continues to contribute to the Penn Quarter arts scene and delight both those who live and work here with its ever changing exhibits.” Jo-Ann Neuhaus, Executive Director, Penn Quarter Neighborhood Association.

2010: Touchstone Gallery moved a couple of blocks off 7th to its current location, a custom-built space at 901 New York Avenue NW. With street-level prominence, it is the most elegant space to date, and is located between the National Museum of Women in the Arts and the Walter E. Washington Convention Center. Located just across from City Center DC Touchstone, continues to serve the community, its members and its collectors.

The dedicated Touchstone members who took up the challenge to move from 7th Street to 901 New York Ave NW pictured below.

Finished Interior of the new Touchstone Gallery