Featuring city scenes of Washington, D.C. and the surrounding region, is a new show at Principle Gallery with work by Steven S. Walker and Gavin Glakas—both with ties to the area.
The artists’ focus throughout the collection of roughly 24 paintings, is capturing light, grit and architecture, while honoring the region known as DMV.
Gavin Glakas, Late Lights on Capitol Hill, oil on panel, 18 x 27 in.
“Glakas captures the energy and atmosphere of Washington’s streets with a precision that feels almost documentary with an illustrative twist, while Walker approaches the familiar structures of Virginia and Maryland with a quieter, reflective intensity,” explains gallery director Clint Mansell. “…Both artists push past the postcard version of the DMV and get to something more honest: places people live, move through and remember.”
Gavin Glakas, The Smithsonian Castle, oil on linen, 22 x 33 in.
The show’s inclusion of these artists is a perfect pairing as both are familiar with Northern Virginia; it’s charm and beauty. “Since I visit a few times a year, it wasn’t as hard for me to focus on a Virginia-based show,” says Walker, who grew up there, but now resides in Georgia. “I had several reference photos from current and past visits to inspire me. I wanted to try my best to focus on beauty before theme.”
Glakas, who currently lives in Virginia adds, “I grew up here and I’m finding it really exciting to take all of the themes and artistic elements that I’m consumed with going into 2026 in the way of light, color, composition and design, and apply them to some of the places that have been favorites of mine since I could barely hold a pencil, as well as spots that I’m still just discovering.”
Steven S. Walker, P Street, oil, 24 x 24 in.
Glakas has always been fascinated by how ephemeral elements like light, color and space can create a tangible mood that might really impact the viewer. We see this in works like Late Lights on Capitol Hill—a nocturne view featuring streetlights casting an orange glow on a car-lined street, subtly depicting the remarkable architecture of the neighborhood.
“I’ve always been drawn to areas with a strong historical feel to them,” Glakas says of the scene. “I love old buildings or neighborhoods that are contemporary and alive, but I feel enriched by the decades or centuries of lives lived there. There’s a substance, an intensity and personality to those areas that might be lacking in a mini mall that was built a couple years ago.”
Gavin Glakas, The Last Outpost (Twilight on Capitol Hill), oil on linen, 24 x 18 in.
The artist continues, “Capitol Hill is one of the oldest neighborhoods in Washington. My grandfather grew up there in the 1920s. Abe Lincoln lived in a boarding house there. My first date with my wife was at a bar there. So many of the houses were built in the 19th century, but it’s alive and exciting, and a place that I spent a lot of time when I was younger.”
In the past, Walker received attention for his use of light within more traditional landscapes.
“I didn’t want to depart from that completely, but I also wanted to venture out of my comfort zone,” he says of the work in the show. “So, I tackled more structures than I’m used to, that would be familiar to folks who know and love the area.”
Steven S. Walker, Key to the City, oil, 24 x 36 in.
One of Walker’s highlights is the incredible Key to the City—an architectural splendor that’s a compilation of several reference photos that the artist took over the years. “I used to frequent Georgetown quite a bit during my trips to Virginia while visiting friends or teaching workshops,” says Walker. “Each time I would find myself approaching a beautiful view of the Key Bridge leading into Georgetown. There were several times when I would find myself stuck in traffic with a gorgeous view. There were also times when I would have to retrace my route to get a proper shot when the view that I wanted was obstructed.”
Steven S. Walker, Basin St. Lounge, oil, 24 x 12 in.
To view the entirety of the show, visit Principle Gallery’s Alexandria, Virginia, location. The show opens with a reception on February 27 from 6 to 8:30 p.m., and closes March 23. —
Principle Gallery 208 King Street • Alexandria, VA 22314 • (703) 739-9326 www.principlegallery.com
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