Q Street Fine Art - Rafael Gallardo Art Studio — Attraction in Washington

A time was had!!!! If I could hug this experience, I would squeeze so hard. 🤗

I had no expectations and wanted to soak up an evening of Art as my mindset and I designed my latest adventure.

After plugging in the directions in Google Maps, I hummed and bopped to the Amapiano mix in my JBL headset and set off, totally allowing the adventure to flow. Following the directions from Navy Yard onto a bus, then train and finally walking a short distance, but through an alley behind the Church, Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle.

When the amicable woman that is Google Maps said that I had arrived, I found myself still in the alley but looking around for an ordinary entrance to a gallery. Ah, but this was not a typical gallery! And, this was not a typical alley. This was the infamous and fundamental Alleyway "deliberately hidden from public view by the capital's early planners, DC alleys were created to provide access to stables, carriage houses, and other utility buildings." (Georgetown University Press, "Hidden Alleyways of Washington, DC")

Indeed, I had a strong sense that a rider and his horse would appear at any moment in search of a bale of hay to be thrown down from the upper floors of the carriage homes standing around me.

As I was in awe of that sensation, I walked further through wrought iron gates into an oasis much like if you were in a desert and came upon a lush, fertile space and was warmly welcomed by the artist himself, Raphael.

You make a right turn after walking through the gateway to the summit, Q Street Fine Arts Gallery and Art Studio.

A glorious space before the entrance that consists of a patio, starry lights and a climbing grape vine slumbering before the Spring and Summer to bear her fruit. The artist's easel stood tall in front of the creeping vines, and I immediately pictured Raphael there creating his visions. It stood empty in the cold night, patiently waiting for him as the grape vines awaits the summer-time Sun.

This gallery is intimate, cozy and bursting with the creative fervor of the artist. The owners are beautiful keepers of one of the best spaces in DC and they know how blessed they are by sharing their space, wine and bites of provisions as you absorb the work with soothing jazz as the score to this inclusive Art scene.

The pieces are divine, saintly with stories to share, that makes them seem alive and have the power to...

We came in out of town for the weekend and were looking to purchase one of his pieces. He was rude and disrespectful to us, kicking us out of the gallery because we had small luggage with us. He commented to his friends as we left that we looked like “out of towners that looked like they had nothing better to do on a Friday night”. Would...

Beautiful gallery with beautiful paintings. Most are for sale. Artist lives at the gallery and is...