Introducing Nepenthe Art Gallery
Nestled in the historic Hollin Hall Shopping Center, Nepenthe Gallery has found its home in our community. Nepenthe, a Greek term that translates to "a place of no sorrow," truly offers a place of escape and joy here in Alexandria.
Walking into the gallery, you can immediately feel the energy in the bright and colorful light-filled room. At the heart of Nepenthe Gallery, you will find owners Carrie & Jim Garland. These two Alexandrians have brought their entrepreneurial passion and love for fine art to our community in a space that celebrates creativity, and we are so thankful. The quality and caliber of artists featured in Nepenthe can easily compete with galleries in Washington, D.C.; fortunately for us, Nepenthe brings that caliber of art to our neighborhood. Like any good art gallery, Nepenthe offers something for everyone. From photography, prints, and neon to sculpture, watercolors, and paintings, Nepenthe Gallery is a place to enjoy creative works from artists across the United States and worldwide. Its ever-changing rotation of artwork brings new energy and inspiration to Alexandria collectors and fine art lovers.
Nepenthe is also now home to the photography studio of our very own Renee C. Gage! Our Stylebook community may know her from her work with our Street Style features and her black and white heirloom portraits hosted with Monday's Child. At Nepenthe Gallery, Renee has established a studio space that will offer a range of photography services and sessions. Learn more about Renee here.
The passion and joy of the gallery are found not only in the colorful and exciting artwork but also in the family and friendships Nepenthe was built around. Everyone involved shares the same excitement and passion for opening the gallery and creating a space for fine art in Alexandria. In addition to Renee, the gallery is run and loved by a great team of friends and family with extensive knowledge of art and business. At the center of Nepenthe are Carrie and Jim Garland, Renee C. Gage, Beth Hamed, Patty Owens, Carolyn Johnson, and Katie Kellogg.
Carrie's mother, Patty Owens, was instrumental in curating artists and their work before assisting with the balance of colors and sizes in the gallery's layout. To bring art education to the gallery experience, Carrie asked her mother to select a work from their personal collection to feature. As a result, Nepenthe Gallery plans to rotate featured works from the Owens Foundation, the family's collection of 19th Century American art, which is on permanent loan at The College of William & Mary College in Williamsburg, Virginia. The first masterpiece selected and currently featured is an oil painting by Theodore Earl Butler, an American Impressionist painter and protege and son-in-law of Claude Monet.
Nepenthe had an overwhelming welcome from the community at their grand opening reception on March 10. In true Alexandrian fashion, our community made sure to make Nepenthe Gallery feel right at home! If you haven't had an opportunity to stop by the gallery, fear not. Every Thursday from 6-7:30pm, Nepenthe Gallery welcomes the community to join in a thoughtful conversation highlighting an artist, special guest, or artwork together over wine and cheese! The ART + WINE + CHEESE events are a recurring opportunity to visit the gallery and join in conversation with the Nepenthe community. Starting at 6pm with charcuterie, wine, and beer, these Thursday events offer an intriguing and approachable opportunity for artists to share the inspiration and skill behind their artwork. Upcoming events include talks with Sonia Gadra, Debby Brisker Burk, David Brshear, and Natalie Cox. In addition, Nepenthe is excited to present a "Beach" exhibit to welcome summer at the end of May!
Along with their curated fine art collection, Nepenthe Gallery also offers a frame shop on-site available for custom frames and mirrors. The gallery is located next to Hollin Hall Pastry Shop and is open 11am-6pm, Tuesday-Saturday, and by appointment. So for those looking to learn, love, and enjoy a wide range of artworks, discover Nepenthe, our neighborhood gallery connecting Alexandria with artwork from across the globe.
Open 11am-6pm, Tuesday-Saturday and by appointment
7918 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22308