It all depends on how you look at it—that can be true of both art and what is going on around us, and it’s the goal of Signs of the Times, a national juried show that will take place at the Arlington Arts Alliance’s Gallery Clarendon from Jan. 5-31.
Signs of the Times will mark the first nationally juried show at Gallery Clarendon, which brings artists’ work from all across the country into the less than year-old gallery in the heart of Clarendon. For the exhibit, the gallery sought work “that represents how artists now are interpreting events that are happening in the world, in the country, perhaps even in their own personal life,” says Steena Fullmer, the deputy director of Gallery Clarendon and its sister gallery, Gallery Underground. “How does their art represent a sign of something that is happening now?
“It’s going to bring in some really interesting art work, which I hope will spur a lot of discussion and interest,” Fullmer continues. “I’m excited to help hang it.”
While Signs of the Times marks the first themed show at Gallery Clarendon, the space—which has been occupied by a rotating cast of restaurants over the years, most recently Fuego Cocina y Taquileria—has been housing Arts Alliance members’ works and serving as a studio space for local artists. Each month members have been able to showcase their work on the first floor, while using the upstairs as open work spaces. All of the work on display at Gallery Clarendon is original and available for purchase. Also upstairs, the Arts Alliance hosts classes on varying subjects, from metal working to painting to creative writing.
In addition to the monthly member shows, Gallery Clarendon hopes to continue to bring a national spotlight to the space—they’re already planning a second nationally juried show for May.
Fullmer points out that when Arts Alliance was given the opportunity to open Gallery Clarendon there were “a lot of restaurants here, but not a lot of art work.” In the nine months it has been open, Gallery Clarendon certainly has done its fullest to remedy that.
A reception and awards ceremony will be held for Signs of the Times on Jan. 11 from 5-8 p.m.
