Art Enables

After passing this place many times on the way into DC on New York Avenue, I finally was able to visit! Don’t be too confused… there is parking in the back lot to enable you to park and walk in the back doors.
When I visited, everyone who worked there was surprised that I walked in. They spoke to me and asked how I found out about their space.
Their website is helpful, and you will have the opportunity to see all of the work shown on the website as well as maybe meeting some of the artists.
I wish this place was definitely more accessible and located somewhere closer to other shops. However, the art is amazing and it is worth taking a drive over to check out their space. They also have art shows around the city, but I think visiting the gallery/​studio space is much more intriguing.
When I visited, I was thrilled to look at the art on the walls, in bins, in drawers, and pieces in different stages of completion. Most of the artists were having lunch, and then began working in a communal area in the studio. While I was browsing through completed file drawers of pieces, one of the artists came up to me and told me about many of her pieces I was looking at. It was so inspiring to be in this amazing place that owner Joyce has created and to meet so many people who are thriving through her mission!
I definitely intend to spread the word around town because this is definitely a place not to be missed! Plus, their prices are so great, you may just find something that catches your eye to take home, just like I did!

This is a very special non-​profit in the Washington, DC metro area and a workshop for great art that is accessible and affordable. The winter holiday cards are wonderful, and the many other kinds of art, all easily viewed on their fantastic web site, are outstanding. We are getting one of their paintings as a present this year, and it will find a suitable place in our cottage.

As my «fans» may know, I have been to almost every gallery in and around DC. I had been on the lookout for a place where I can score out of the ordinary art at prices that don’t make me faint. I found the combination of low prices and appealing art at this place
Art Enables is a working studio. The artists here call themselves «outsiders,» but I don’t see it that way. The talented individuals happen to be either persons with developmentally or mentally challenged, but that does not affect the high quality of their works. The teachers here are local artists from the district as well as Virginia and Maryland.
The style used is mostly folk art. Or you can still grab one of their 2007 calendars with each month featuring a different artist. Art Enables tends to show their artists at other galleries or art events. Check out their website for upcoming events.