Art for the Soul at Georgetown’s Calloway Fine Art
By • November 3, 2022 0 1805
“The best artists put a piece of their soul into their work,” says Susan Calloway, owner of Calloway Fine Art & Consulting. The same can be said about her gallery. Located at 1643 Wisconsin Avenue, Calloway Fine Art embodies Calloway’s impeccable aesthetic, inspired by her visits to France and appreciation for high quality artwork.
On the second floor of Calloway Fine Arts. Georgetown Art All Night, 2022. Photo by Chris Jones.
Calloway opened the gallery in 2000 and has stayed true to her instincts and personal style even as her taste has evolved. She’s a self-made curator and is known for her talented eye and exquisite framing.
Calloway’s story starts back in college after a junior year study abroad venture in France. She was enticed by the work she saw in the various galleries across the region, and it kept her coming back. Throughout her career, she has enriched her natural abilities with various classes taught by art experts at institutions like The Smithsonian and The National Gallery of Art.
Alley Entrance by Carlton Fletcher, one of the artists featured at Calloway Fine Art. Fletcher often paints scenes from Glover Park like this one. Photo by Maddie Rennyson.
A variety of colors, shapes, textures, and styles hang in the walls of Calloway Fine Art. A large white Cockatoo on canvas greets clients as they walk in the door as warm landscapes and bright contemporary pieces draw them within. There’s something for everyone, yet there’s a consistent “aesthetic” throughout the gallery. “If you like one thing, chances are you will like just about everything,” Calloway tells The Georgetowner. Calloway believes that good art is well-executed and does not suffer when it comes to quality.
Many artists from around the world are represented at Calloway Fine Art. Each piece has been chosen by Calloway herself and has her valued seal of approval. She’s always looking for new artists to potentially add to her portfolio, although with her trusted reputation and coveted gallery space, most end up approaching her. In the age of technology and social media, artists have the option to use various online platforms to show their work and it may seem like galleries are becoming obsolete. However, according to Calloway and gallery manager Madeleine Sargent, gallery representation gives artists confidence and most important, allows them to have an advocate backing their work.
The Good Life by Karen Scharer – one of the paintings that will be featured at the exhibition on November 12. Photo by Maddie Rennyson.
The gallery also puts on exhibitions with the artists to showcase their work. On November 12, a new exhibition is coming to Calloway Fine Art: Beauty Matters by Karen Scharer. These bold, bright abstract canvases will be featured in the gallery along with an evening reception from 4:30-6:30 p.m. The exhibition, Beauty Matters, is inspired by Scharer’s everyday life. In her artist statement she writes, “My paintings are a byproduct of living… challenges, beauty, hope, and loss.” Scharer is the newest artist addition to the gallery and her exhibition brings a wave of excitement to Calloway Fine Art.
During Art All Night, crowds watch live painting in the bay window at Calloway Fine Art. Photo by Maddie Rennyson.
Art, to the untrained eye, can be intimidating, but it should not be. Art galleries are designed to draw people in to admire different styles and forms of art. Calloway Fine Art & Consulting is filled with warm and friendly faces that want to share the beauty and appreciation for art with all who welcome it.
In front of Calloway Fine Art during Art All Night 2022. Photo by Maddie Rennyson.
