New York, Washington, D.C. and the Mid-Atlantic states are some of the most vibrant places in the country. Dense with culture and creative expression, these north/southeastern states carry with them the history of this country’s beginnings. Everywhere you go, there seems to be art galleries, festivals, fairs and museums adding contemporay color to the region.
Midtown West in New York City. Courtesy NYC & Company.
Our first stop is New York City, an electric city ablaze in dazzling lights, skyscrapers and unparalleled energy. Here, you’ll find powerhouse institutions like the Metropolitan Museum of Art (the largest art museum in the Western Hemisphere), the Whitney Museum of American Art and the Museum of Modern Art, among many, many others. The gallery scene is unsurpassed as well. Since its inception in 2000, Arcadia Gallery has showcased the top, blue-chip artists working in representational painting today. Additionally, Stone Sparrow NYC features superbly innovative artists who are truly pushing the boundaries of art and expression. New York City is also home to dozens of phenomenal art fairs, including the upcoming Art on Paper (September 8 to 11) The Armory Show (September 9 to 11), and the Affordable Art Fair (September 22 to 25). In subsequent months, be on the lookout for the ADAA Art Show (November 3 to 6) and Salon Art + Design (November 10 to 14).
Georgetown University in Washington, D.C. Photo by Jimmy Woo.
As you make your way through the art hubs of the region, be sure to stop in beautiful Virginia. Esteemed galleries like Principle Gallery, which has a location in Alexandria, Virginia (as well as Charleston, South Carolina), represent the highest quality contemporary realism in both painting and bronze sculpture. The city’s visual arts hotspot is the Torpedo Factory Art Center, home to the nation’s largest collection of working-artists’ open studios under one roof—71 studios in total.
A view of Alexandria Virginia’s King Street. Photo by Sam-Kittner for Visit Alexandria.
Representing sculpture and an array of fine art is Stravitz Sculpture & Fine Art Gallery, located in Virginia Beach.
Neighboring Washington, D.C. is another must-see destination. The possibilities in our nation's capitol are truly endless, from the Smithsonian American Art Museum to the Hirshorn Museum of Art to the National Portrait Gallery and National Gallery of Art.
Esteemed artists in New York, D.C. and the Mid-Atlantic area include J Louis, Tara Will, Peter Swift, Jacalyn Beam, Mary Pritchard and Loriann Signori. Other top tier galleries include New York’s Rehs Galleries and Rehs Contemporary. Explore the following pages to learn more.
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Arcadia Gallery
421 W. Broadway
New York, NY 10012
(646) 861-3941
info@arcadiacontemporary.com
www.arcadiacontemporary.com
Arcadia Gallery, Augur, oil on panel, 26 x 36", by Daniel Bilmes.
Since opening in 2000, Arcadia Gallery has exclusively featured representational painting by highly skilled, living artists. From still life to landscape and figurative works, Arcadia looks to feature artists that have their own, unique style. It’s not enough to be skilled to be featured in the gallery; the artists need to be more than that. The works they create need to display each artist’s own “signature style” so collectors recongize their imagery as soon as they see it.
Arcadia Gallery, Subway, oil on canvas, 37 x 53", by Nick Alm.
The interior of Arcadia Gallery in New York.The gallery represents some of the most respected names in contemporary realism including Alex Venezia, Nick Alm, Jeffrey Ripple, Ron Hicks and so many others.
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Principle Gallery
208 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22306
(703) 739-9326
info@principlegallery.com
www.principlegallery.com
An exterior view of Principle Gallery in Alexandria, Virginia.
Principle Gallery, Ritual, oil, copper leaf and acrylic on canvas, 84 x 48", by Aiden Kringen.
Since opening in 1994, Principle Gallery has been dedicated to representing the highest quality of contemporary realism art. “Focusing on paintings in oil and bronze sculpture, we proudly represent emerging, mid-career and established artists with a distinctly personal approach to their work,” says Taylor Chauncey, assistant director. Principle Gallery, which has a sister gallery in Charleston, South Carolina, gains great exposure for its artists through solo exhibitions, selective group shows and national art fairs. They represent artists such as Anna Wypych, Geoffrey Johnson, Lynn Boggess, Jeremy Mann, Joseph McGurl, Kim VanDerHoek, Joseph Zbukvic and many more. One of the latest additions to the gallery is California-based artist Aiden Kringen.
Principle Gallery, Your fire can’t touch me - Ultimate Resistance - Summary of 2022, oil on canvas, 39½ x 31½", by Anna Wypych.
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Rehs Galleries
(212) 355-5710
info@rehs.com
www.rehs.com
For nearly a century, Rehs Galleries has called New York City home, and for the last 25 years they have sat perched up on the 8th floor overlooking the intersection of 57th Street and 5th Avenue. But times are a changin’.
Rehs Galleries Inc, Peace Like A River, oil on panel, 33 x 34 x 2", by Josh Tiessen.
“While we love our cozy space adorned with blue velvet walls, we are onto bigger and better things,” says gallery director and vice president Lance Rehs. "About two and a half times bigger!” 
Rehs Galleries Inc, Shiro, oil and gold leaf on canvas, 45¾ x 35¾", by Mitsuru Watanabe.
Rehs Galleries Inc, Pittsburgh Point Bridge from Water Street c. 1880, oil on canvas 14 x 20", by John Stobart.
As of September, the current space at 5 East 57th will close and a transition to 20 West 55th Street will begin. The new space is expected to open to the public in 2023. In the interim, Rehs Galleries Inc. and Rehs Contemporary will continue offering new works through their website and publishing their monthly newsletter about the art market, while participating in several art fairs across the country.
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Stone Sparrow NYC
45 Greenwich Avenue
New York, NY 10014
(646) 449-8004
info@stonesparrownyc.com
www.stonesparrownyc.com
Stone Sparrow NYC was established in 2019 by curator Marina Eliasi in Manhattan's charming West Village. The gallery features artists working in the realms of figurative realism and surrealism. Over the years, the gallery has built a strong roster of local and international talent, focusing on quality and content rather than sensationalism.
Stone Sparrow NYC, Eclipsed, oil on wood, 20 x 20", by Zienna Brunsted Stewart.
The entrance to Stone Sparrow NYC.
Stone Sparrow NYC, I’ve Had Dreams Realer Than This, oil on linen, 56 x 42", by Kevin Sparkowich.
Stone Sparrow NYC’s upcoming schedule includes several solo shows that they are particularly excited to unveil, including the September show which is a dual solo titled Perspectives, featuring the provocative works of Zienna Brunsted Stewart and Weldon Ryan. The gallery has recently added new exclusively-shown artists as well, including the evolving work of Kevin Sparkowich and the emotionally charged surrealism/photorealism of Tanya Gomelskaya.
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J Louis
info@jlouis.co
www.jlouis.co
Artist J Louis creates abstract representational paintings, predominantly depicting women who “exist in a space constructed by their unique aura.” Beauty and binary mechanisms are the artist’s main source of inspiration. “The yin and yang of things has constantly inspired me. I think this is something that draws me to paint women. To me, women demonstrate this beautiful duality better than anything else,” says Louis. “I am fortunate and inspired to live a life around women that possess both the greatest tenderness and grittiest perseverance. It is my goal in this work to present what I find to be the most beautiful and inspiring images of feminine strength.”
J Louis, Untitled Pyramid 9, oil on canvas, 84 x 60"
The artist is currently working with two ongoing series, one called homebodies and the other pyramid paintings, which feature large black triangular veils. “Both bodies of work are an exploration of the feminine and space as an extension of the figure,” he says.
J Louis, Ledge 2, oil on panel, 24 x 36"
J Louis, Sofie, oil on panel, 24 x 24"
Louis is represented by Friedrichs Pontone Gallery in New York City, Principle Gallery in Virginia and Shain Gallery in North Carolina.
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Tara Will
www.tarawill.com
Tara Will attended Mount Saint Mary’s University in Maryland, double majoring in art and philosophy. She enjoys painting quickly, trying to capture the essence of the subject using bold colors and strong marks. The artist works in pastels and achieved her Eminent Pastelist Status with the International Association of Pastel Societies in 2022. She resides in Marylandwith her husband and four small children.
Tara Will, Warmth Reflected, soft pastel, 25 x 19"
Tara Will, Standing Order, soft pastel, 25 x 19"
Tara Will, Spring in Green, soft pastel, 25 x 19"
“I create work that focuses on capturing the essence of the subject. I enjoy a wide range of subjects, but mostly focus on the landscape, for my love of being outside,” says Will. “I was told by a mentor once that the act of painting is a transfer of energy. We try to reflect that as best we can to a viewer so they can participate in an age-old visual conversation. I am currently delving into a more confident voice in oils, as most of my work has been in pastels and I am very comfortable there. There is something refreshing about learning something new, and I never tire of it.”
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Richard Stravitz Sculpture & Fine Art Gallery
1217 Laskin Road, Virginia Beach, VA
(757) 305-9411
www.richardstravitz.com
www.stravitzartgallery.com
In 2007, sculptor Richard Stravitz decided to open a gallery on Laskin Road in Virginia Beach, Virginia, so he could showcase his talent while also helping local artists in the Hampton Roads area do the same. All styles of art are represented as well as artists of local, national and international renown. His studio is downstairs in the gallery so collectors can see him at work.
Richard Stravitz Sculpture & Fine Art Gallery, Race, mixed media, 24 x 30", by Mona Dworkin.
Richard Stravitz Sculpture & Fine Art Gallery, First Blush, mixed media, 30 x 30", by Robert Winne.
Richard Stravitz Sculpture & Fine Art Gallery, Without Humans, enhanced giclee, 48 x 36", by Chuck Larivey.
Much of his early work comes from his love and experiences in athletics and has matured into many other areas. Each of his pieces remain true to their subject, with muscle and sinew realistically wrought and magically revealed. A compliment to his ability to capture motion and detail, Stravitz is widely recognized for his distinctive ability to sculpt emotion.
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Jacalyn Beam
www.jacalynbeam.com
Jacalyn Beam was born in the Brandywine Valley where she now resides and paints. Most notably a plein air painter, Beam records the history and beauty of the countryside. She is a member of the American Impressionist Society, Oil Painters of America, Washington Society of Landscape Painters and the Mid-Atlantic Plein Air Painters Association. She served on the MAPAPA Board of Directors and the Chaddsford Historical Society, and presently serves at the discretion of the Governor on the Delware State Arts Council.
Jacalyn Beam, Carversville Curves, oil on conservation linen panel, 16 x 20"
Jacalyn Beam, Georgetown Canal, oil on conservation linen panel, 11 x 14"Beam is also included in the books 100 Plein Air Painters of the Mid-Atlantic and Brandywine Valley Reflections as an artist helping to preserve the area's traditions. She is slated to illustrate a book highlighting Chester County to be published in 2023. Beam’s work is deeply engaged with the landscape surrounding her home. While she travels to major juried events across the country and has gallery representation in Carmel, California, and Boulder, Colorado, much of her time is spent documenting in Mid-Atlantic.
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Loriann Signori
www.loriannsignori.com
Loriann Signori, Air Like Glass, mixed media
Loriann Signori, Passing Through, mixed media, 11 x 8"
Loriann Signori is a landscape painter and a painter of luminosity. Her work is based in traditional methods and defined by colorist tendencies, yet her aims and methods undergo continual transformation. One thing remains consistent—her paintings are essentially an emotional interpretation of time and place. Imbued with a haunting quality, her approach is best described as poetic realism. The poetic nature of her choice of subject and the profound sensitivity she brings to her work is palpable. She is a painter with a soulful connection to her subject. Currently, she is represented by Warm Springs Gallery in Warm Springs, Virginia.
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Mary Pritchard
info@marypritchardart.com
www.marypritchardart.com
Artist Mary Pritchard has been a university administrator, a corporate art curator and a coordinator of traveling exhibitions for artists such as Wolf Kahn. A full-time painter once more, she is currently focusing on depicting the farms and rivers of Maryland’s Eastern Shore. A working farm with an iconic barn is an endless source of inspiration for the artist.
Mary Pritchard, Tavern Creek Afternoon, pastel, 9 x 18"“Reflections and grasses in the rivers and creeks near my Chestertown home inspire paintings that deal with the complexity of nature—tangled grasses and the interplay of sky and water. My goal as a landscape painter is to retain a 'sense of place' while creating a new reality on a two-dimensional surface. Pastel has been my primary medium for its directness, spontaneity and flexibility, but I am excited at developing new large scale oil paintings to increase the impact of my favorite images.”
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Peter Swift
pswift73@icloud.com
www.peterswiftartstudio.com
The unique style of artist Peter Swift combines two distinct elements: classical realistic still-life painting and symmetrical design. Swift has coined the phrase “Symmetrical Realism” to describe his work, most of which feature circles in
some capacity.
Peter Swift, Eight Carrots, acrylic on canvas, 60 x 60"“I believe that the human brain has a deep psychological connection to circles,” says the artist. “The circle is a fundamental symbol in many of the world’s religions because it represents harmony, unity, tranquility, completion and wholeness.” His biggest influences have been Louise Nevelson, Martin Puryear and Andy Goldsworthy.
Peter Swift working in his studio.
“Symmetry is a fundamental underlying principle in art,” he adds. “However, over the past century, symmetry has been a factor for the most part only in abstract art, such as the work of Josef Albers and Frank Stella. My work combines both symmetry and realistic rendering, both imagination and meticulous craftsmanship.”
Swift is represented by Touchstone Gallery in Washington, D.C. —
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