In this page I have listed and linked what I consider to be the ten best fine arts galleries of the Washington, DC area. I use my own standards for issuing this list. Several "yardsticks" are used to define a gallery's worth to the artists, public and general community of the nation's capital. These are:
1. Does the gallery regularly show Washington artists in its mix of exhibitions?
2. Does the gallery rotate its shows on a monthly basis?
3. Does the gallery have a good ethical and professional reputation?
I encourage your comments. Please email me with any updates and comments on this page and my reviews of these terrific galleries. These are strictly my opinions and they are based on five years of attending openings, talking to artists, gallery owners, the public and admiring (and buying) local artwork.
1· 
2010 R St. NW, Washington DC
202/234-0339
In my opinion, the best overall gallery in Washington, DC. Beautiful space in two levels. Shows mostly the cream of local artists, although it also has perhaps too many artists in its represented ranks, including many mediocre artists. Shows changed monthly. Usually has two solo shows, one in each level and a summer group show. Owned and run by Mr. Komei Wachi and his partner. Good mixture of abstraction and realism, with a leaning towards the latter. This gallery does everything right - good mix of artists, good openings, 1-2 group shows a year. Easily the best in town! Openings on the first Fridays of the month.
2· Troyer Gallery
1710 Connecticut Ave. NW, Washington DC
202/328-7189
Considered one of the best galleries in the city and I agree. The gallery had been run by three partners and has been around for over two decades. It was rumored to be closing soon, but one of the three former partners kept it. Shows works by local and national artists. Adequate mixture of abstraction and realism, with a leaning towards non representational work. Shows many established local artists and seems to be a hard place for new, emerging talent to "crack." Directed and owned by Sally Troyer. Openings on the first Fridays of the month.
3· 
1054 31st Street, NW, Washington DC
202/298-6450
The best gallery in Georgetown! Consistently changes its shows on a monthly basis and exhibits works by many local artists as well as hosting an annual competition. Directed and owned by British photographer Catriona Fraser. Routinely exhibits the most affordable top notch fine art in Washington with a strong emphasis on contemporary realism and B&W photography. Has the cream of the youngest, fast-rising new stars in the Washington art scene. Openings on the third Fridays of the month.
4· 
1027 33rd St. NW, Washington DC
202/342-5610
Elegant Georgetown gallery. Shows the best of the abstract artists in both a regional and somewhat national context. In the last year or so has also been showing some new talent and exceptional group shows as well as some monumental sculpture shows. All exhibitions are rotated regularly. Directed and owned by George Hemphill.
5· 
406 Seventh Street, NW, Washington, DC
202/
The move from Georgetown into this huge new space, plus renewed vigor and enthusiasm make this beautiful gallery one of the best in this city and easily the best of the 7th Street galleries! A good mixture of abstraction and realism and an enviable ever changing stable of young artists and some established Washingtonians. Owned and directed by partners George Thomasson and painter Michael Sprouse.
6· 
1054 31st St. NW, Washington DC
202/625-1054
Exceptional space a few feet off M Street in Georgetown that shows a mixture of local, national and Japanese ancestry artists. Changes shows regularly on a monthly basis. Very nice gallery space. Wide range of art, from contemporary abstraction to brilliant realism with a stronger emphasis on the harder, more abstract realizations of the former. Directed and owned by Teruko Okuda, who also markets the artists' work in Japan. Openings on third Fridays of the month.
7· Kathleen Ewing Gallery
1609 Connecticut Ave, Washington, DC
202/328-0955
Easily and by far the best photography gallery in the city and one of the ten best. Directed by Kathleen Ewing, who is also head of the IAPD and thus one of the most influential persons in photography in the US. Holds regular openings and represents both regional, national and international photographers. Openings on the first Fridays of the month.
8· Anton Gallery
2108 R St. NW, Washington DC
202/328-0828
Shows many local artists and changes its shows on a regular monthly basis. A good mixture of abstract and new realists. Two floors of exhibition space which is often shared by two artists. Directed and owned by Gail Enns. Openings on the first Fridays of the month.
9· 
1054 31st St. NW - Canal Square, Washington DC
202/944-2310
Shows mostly works by African-American artists and various racial and ethnic minority artists. Often shows works by local artists. Shows are changed on a monthly basis. Good mixture of art, with a leaning towards abstraction. Also does 2-3 group shows a year. Directed and owned by painter Norman Parish. Openings on the third Fridays of the month.
10· 
105 N. Union St., Alexandria VA
703/683-1780
Open membership gallery. Has monthly juried show in the main gallery and solo shows in the side galleries. The juried group shows are usually outstanding. Shows exclusively local artists from its huge pool of 1600 members. This huge space is the first stepping stone for most Washington area artists and the best place to find emerging artists. Good mixture of all genres of modern art. Gallery director is Marsha Steiger.
10· Numark Gallery
406 Seventh St. NW, Washington DC
202/628-3810
A tie for number ten is this attractive gallery. It initially appeared to show mostly limited edition prints by big name artists aimed at the corporate art market and probably personal collectors. However, in the last year or so it has included some brilliant work by Washington artists and now seems more focused on a mix of local artists and national names. Almost exclusively shows abstraction and very little of anything else. Directed and owned by Cheryl Numark.
All the Galleries of Washington, DC
The Best Artists of Washington, DC
.
.
.
.
.
.
