Arts Open Doors to the Logan Circle Community
Allan GreenAmong the brightest developments in the revitalization of Logan Circle are organizations and businesses involved in the arts. Studio Theater was the leader and its expansion will add to the number of theater-goers coming into our area from other parts of the city.
But arts are diversifying to other media as well. Two such venues have offered to host the Logan Circle Community Association's meetings. This month the association will meet at Fusebox Gallery on May 19 at 7 pm. Last month's meeting was at HR 57. Fusebox is a for-profit gallery; HR 57 is a non-profit jazz venue. Together they contribute to the vitality of Logan Circle.
Contemporary Art…
Now in its third year at 1412 14th Street, Fusebox Gallery shows local and international artists. The gallery was the vision of Sara Finlay and her husband, Patrick Murcia, who were sold on Logan Circle right away and concluded that it had great credibility as an arts corridor. They were drawn by Studio Theater, which has served as a magnet to the arts and has contributed so greatly to the stability and development of Logan Circle. And Findlay notes, "The wonderful buildings that formerly housed automobile showrooms provide the perfect space for contemporary galleries."
Finlay looks back on the process of developing the gallery and smiles. She found terrific designers, Core Architects, who complemented an historic façade with contemporary brushed aluminum and made great use of the interior beams.
The gallery features emerging and mid-career artists. Finlay likes this mix because it gives collectors the opportunity to purchase artists' works at reasonable prices and follow the artists' careers. "Part of the fun of collecting an artist's work is watching his or her reputation grow," Finlay observes. Opening receptions give collectors an opportunity to meet the artist. Each collector receives a binder with the artist's biography, articles on his or her work and career, and indications on how the person is becoming established in the art world
People of all ages and from throughout the city collect art from Fusebox. Washingtonian magazine recently featured a Logan Circle apartment with art from the gallery. Finlay notes that the tall walls of the loft apartments sprouting up all over the neighborhood are ideal for contemporary art.
Owning a gallery can be a rewarding experience. "Artists need curators, critics, and collectors," Finlay states. The gallery plays an active role in bringing all of them together. She notes with pride, for example, that Jason Gubbiotti, a recently displayed artist, is now featured at the Wexner Center for the Arts in Columbus, Ohio-one of the most respected non-profits.
The next show at Fusebox, opening May 15, will feature the Washington-based photographer Jason Falchook. The exhibit, titled "Behind the Shine," is the second showing of his work at the gallery. Finlay finds it exciting to see how his work has matured, and his reputation as well. Falchook was recently shown at the Corcoran and at the prestigious Basel-Miami exhibition. In the "project space" at the rear of the gallery will be a showing of the well-established New York painter, Gary Petersen.
The future for arts in Logan Circle seems very bright. Three or four new galleries are in the final stages of development. Most intriguing is the space in the Sign of the Lamb building under reconstruction one block north. "The Washington market for contemporary art is underserved at this point," Finlay explains, and "more galleries will bring more collectors, and 14th Street is a natural."
Transformer Gallery around the corner on P Street has a "very good reputation," says Finlay. It was recently granted funding from the Andy Warhol Foundation, unusual for a small, non-profit gallery. Fusebox and Transformer share more than similar names. They work together and even try to coordinate openings.
New businesses are meshing well with the arts institutions. Finlay describes Candida's World of Books as "fabulous," expressing delight over its international focus. She notes that the Chelsea galleries in New York have attracted restaurants and wine bars and hopes to see the same for Washington. Quite a vision for 14th Street.
…And All That Jazz
Unlike Finlay, Tony Puesan was reluctant to try Logan Circle. The first site for HR 57, Washington's non-profit Center for the Preservation of Jazz Blues, was at 9th and P streets, beginning in 1993. Four years later, Pusean looked at 1610 14th Street but found the building to be in bad condition and the street deserted. So he tried an even more risky venue, 14th and V streets, across from a methadone center. Finally, in 1999, he saw the changes in the neighborhood and settled on the 1610 location where center operates today.
The name HR 57 is taken from a House Resolution, passed by Congress in 1987, that designated jazz as "a rare and valuable national American treasure." The center's mission is to educate the public and provide experiences, opportunities, and information that traverse the full spectrum of the jazz and blues experience.
HR 57 offers lectures, workshops, and music lessons for beginning and advanced musicians. But most of us know it for the performances, which showcase exciting new talent as well as world-renowned artists. Students get the opportunity to work the kinks out of their showmanship. Seasoned professionals can jam with friends and train youngsters.
The center draws jazz enthusiasts from throughout the city and as far away as Pennsylvania. Tour groups are finding it a good way to experience a Washington tradition. Up to 150 attend for an evening of music appreciation. Many of the attendees are Logan Circle residents and Puesan expects neighborhood participation to increase as people move in to the hundreds of new apartments under construction.
Community outreach is a major HR 57 endeavor. It provides music for special events at Whole Foods market, Luther Memorial church, N Street Village, Prevention Works, and the Youth Law Center, among others. It makes its facility available to other non-profits for fund raising.
"Operating a non-profit jazz center is not an easy financial matter," Puesan wryly understates. He has struggled with roof leaks, air conditioning breakdowns, and other problems of an aging building. He has tried fund raising schemes ranging from the sale of t-shirts and CDs to motor scooters (yours for a $1,200 contribution). He has partly renovated the front exterior of the building, but much remains to be done inside.
HR 57 brings lots of foot traffic to 14th Street. But where are these people to park? Pusean says that Logan Circle must deal with the parking issue as the community and its businesses grow. Restaurants will come. Niche retail, such as 100% Mexico (opening soon two doors north), will be established. But the area should foster more community festivals and outdoor activities.
"We are part of an arts overlay district," Pusean observes, and if we preserve the arts we will be a better community for it. HR 57 offers live jazz Wednesdays through Sunday.
