Arlington Artists Alliance (Gallery Underground)

EIN: 54-2043690

Mission Statement

Our mission is to champion a vibrant visual arts community by providing exhibition space, studios, professional development, and creative experiences for Arlington’s community. Our Vision is to inspire Arlington visual artists to reach their full potential and to enhance Arlington’s quality of life with visual arts and culture.

Program Summary

Premier Programs:

Partnership Exhibition with Uniting US

• The Alliance has an annual partnership with Uniting US, a nonprofit that empowers military veterans and their families to inspire communities to heal, find wellness, and unite through art.

Partnership Exhibition with the Arlington Career Center

• The Alliance has an annual partnership program with Arlington County Public High School Arlington Career Center.

ARTSgiving at Crystal House

• The Alliance holds an annual raffle event at Crystal House, JBG Smith’s workforce housing property in Crystal City.

Spring and Winter Artful Weekends at Fort C.F. Smith Park

• Local Arlingtonians can view and collect artwork by over 40 members of the Arlington Artists Alliance. The Alliance gives 80% of art sales to its artists.

It’s A Steal

• The Alliance showcases a large, annual art sale at Church of the Covenant with all artworks under $150.

Earth Day on Langston Boulevard

• The Alliance annually partners with the Langston Boulevard Alliance for its Earth Day Festival. The Alliance’s tent offers a large art-making station for children to paint environmentally conscious artworks. Each year, local children produce over 200 paintings on small canvases. 

ONGOING:

• Quarterly exhibitions at 9 partnership locations around Arlington including: the Arlington County Board offices, District Biscuit Company, the Arlington Free Clinic,  Virginia Hospital Center Foundation, Arlington County Circuit Court Offices, Capitol Rehab of Arlington, Gallery at Little Falls Presbyterian Church, OrthoVirginia, and Sterling Picture Frame. 
• Monthly exhibitions and First Friday Opening Receptions at Gallery Underground in National Landing. All artwork at Gallery Underground is also available for sale online.
• Quarterly online exhibitions for Arlington Artist Alliance members. All work is for sale.
• The Alliance offers year-round watercolor classes by professional watercolorist Tony Neville at St. Michael’s Episcopal Church.

Impact Statement

We host an annual exhibition at Gallery Underground showcasing a diverse group of military veterans and their family members of all ages, abilities, races, and backgrounds. This exhibition includes artist demonstrations and talks, talks by medical professionals specializing in post-traumatic stress, and an interactive art project for civilians. This program enables visitors to discover the healing power of art. The Alliance’s sales commission on veteran’s artwork is donated to Uniting US.

Each year the Alliance serves over 100 students by providing them with: art workshops at the Career Center, a professional gallery show; lessons on art curation, installation, framing, and pricing; an Awards Ceremony; and creative space for the students’ professional development in the visual arts. The Alliance’s sales commission on students’ artwork is donated back to the Career Center for art supplies. 

The Alliance gives away over 75 artworks by our members to workforce housing residents each holiday season.

What ways can the public get involved?

The public can attend our exhibitions and events, support local artists by purchasing artwork through the Alliance, and/or make a donation.

How are charitable dollars spent? Where does my donation go?

Charitable dollars are spent on supporting our staff, expanding exhibition and teaching opportunities to our artists, supporting our veteran and student shows, and sustaining our gallery and studio spaces.

Information provided March 2024