Principle Gallery has stood the test of time for 30 years bringing contemporary realist art to Old Town, Alexandria, and worldwide. By cultivating a warm and welcoming environment where passersby and long-time friends can have a meaningful experience, Principle Gallery has set itself apart. The current invitational opened on March 22, 2024, and shows over 40 artists filling both floors of the gallery. At the opening reception, many participating artists could be spotted amidst the many guests and merriments. We held a live portrait painting demonstration of Monte Durham who you may recognize from Say Yes to the Dress: Atlanta or as owner of Salon Monte by our artist Michael T. Davis. There was also live music from local saxophonist Darin “DeJay Sax” Smith, copious hors d’oeuveurs, specialty cookies featuring the likeness of gallery dog Asher, and a bit of bubbly.
It is truly incredible to consider the gallery grew from just an idea. Owner Michele Marceau was exposed to fine art from a tender age and it always stuck with her. While growing up in Detroit, the neighborhood painter would often babysit Marceau. Art adorned the walls of her house inspiring wide-eyed awe and kindling a strong appreciation for artwork. Neither one knew how those experiences would flourish into a beautiful gallery over 500 miles away. Once Marceau graduated from business school, she began working in Georgetown, DC at Art Deco Gallery. Two years later she opened the doors to Principle Gallery in Old Town at 315 Cameron Street. The gallery moved around the corner to its current and permanent home at 208 King Street in 1997. Twenty- seven years later here we are still standing, it is no small feat! Artist GC Myers, who has been represented by PG for 23 years, relates to Alexandria Living Magazine’s writer Grace Kenyon how “the quality and variety of the artwork has improved steadily over the years”. He states that “as an artist, it can be intimidating. Or you can use it as inspiration, and that’s what I’ve tried to do.”‘
In the last thirty years, there have been a multitude of exciting adventures, notable milestones, and incredible artists tied to the gallery. A major principle that has contributed to the gallery’s great success is genuine relationships. Attestations are made in the artists, guests, and staff who return time and time again, share memories from decades ago, or feel at home on their first visit. The Gallery Director Clint Mansell is a perfect example, he’s going on 15 years here in his dream job. The gallery has been innovative by collaborating with local nonprofits, expanding to a second location in Charleston, SC, and staying actively connected in person and online even through our recent global pandemic. Marceau knows “you definitely have to earn the right to show some of these artists who are in very high demand,” and looking at our gallery family we certainly have. Through successful relationship-building, tedious organization, ample support, and regimented marketing the Principle Gallery has been able to grow, acquire, and maintain contemporary stars of the art world.
The gallery continues to display works of outstanding contemporary realism from across the world. We enable artists to try new styles and encourage them to push beyond their own bounds.
“For the current 30th-anniversary show, Mansell challenged Lashley to translate some of her smaller paintings of Paris into a larger piece that would have even more impact… “That’s wonderful,” Lashley said, referring to Mansell’s vision for her work. “That makes me want to rise to the challenge. And I did.”
– Grace Kenyon, Alexandria Living Magazine
Principle Gallery is unified by a love of art and a drive to see talented, hardworking artists succeed. This quality makes it easy to advocate for, connect with, and aid the careers of the fantastic artists we represent.
The works in Principle Gallery’s 30th Anniversary show display a variety of artists we have represented for 25 years to artists we are debuting this month. It is officially open until the 22nd of April but you may be able to see the works in the gallery after the show too. The gallery has delivered monthly shows for thirty years and we look forward to many in the future! Come visit our upcoming openings this year including Lynn Boggess, Geoffrey Johnson, GC Myers, Anna Wypych, Gilbert Gorski, Lindsey Kustusch, Nate Ross, and more.
Walk Through the 30th Anniversary Show
Bibliography: Kenyon, Grace. “Principle Gallery: Bridging the Gap between Artist and Audience.” Alexandria Living Magazine, 29 Mar. 2024, alexandrialivingmagazine.com/news/principle-gallery-bridging-the-gap-between-artist-and-audien/.
Principle Gallery 