Because when it hits it feels okay...

Katherine Norton from The Georgetown Voice (The Georgetown University newspaper) stated in a 2008 article covering District Fine Arts that “The Georgetown gallery scene doesn’t always get the attention it deserves, but gems are ready and waiting to be unearthed for those industrious enough to pick up a few brochures.”  Todd and his gallery are two such gems.  Kudos to Katherine for noticing it at presumably such a young age. 

Marketing and curating shows at DFA became Todd Savich's responsibility in 2006.  He took over as a curator and promoter of the gallery after his cousin and his wife left to pursue other careers.  Since that time Todd has helped with over 20 shows ranging from solo exhibits to group events.   

DFA's upcoming show, "Personal Geography/Don’t Fence Me In" is a two woman photography exhibit featuring works by M.H. Ramona Swift and her daughter, Nancy Ostertag.  For the opening this April 4^th he has Brad Pugh of the Arlington band, Practically Einstein, playing an acoustic set.  He talks to me as much about Brad’s career¹ as he does about the two women his gallery will feature.

His current show features New York based artist Leah Tinari.  Todd chose Tinari’s work to coincide with the then hoped for Obama inauguration.  Says he, “I wanted her works to be shown right after the Inauguration because Leah’s paintings are a celebration of life.  So I’m glad Obama won or it would have been a different scene in D.C. for her show.” 

The theme of Leah’s show is "Masquerade Madness", and as the title implies, the subjects don masks as they partake of a jubilant nightlife.  Let’s just say it looks like a lot of fun being one of Leah’s subjects.  Todd was lucky enough to be one, commissioning Ms. Tinari to paint him.  Which painting is he in?  Why “A Night At The 9:30 Club” of course! 

Leah has been featured in Todd’s gallery before as part of the group show “Hit Me With Music.”  The title, taken from a Bob Marley song, was chosen by Todd as were the artists.  Leah’s works were shown along side famous music photographer Chester Simpson and emerging local photographer Leon Armour Jr.  Mr. Armour Jr. treated D.C. natives to photographs of their city’s music scene of the late 80s early 90s.  Todd treated visitors to a taste of the current D.C. music scene, having local musician Justin Jones play the opening.  The show was so successful that Bloomingdales in Chevy Chase later resurrected it for use in one of their promotions.    

Todd knows, of course, how much music influences his life.  He readily admits that he spent a little too much time at the 9:30 Club in 2007 when he was the winner of two free passes for a year.  Also in 2007 he curated “Love Will Keep Us Together…Love Will Tear Us Apart,” a group show featuring 12 artists’ interpretations of love set to coincide with St. Valentine’s Day.  Where does the title of the show come from?  Says he, “The title comes from two of my favorite love songs from the 70’s, the latter written by Ian Curtis as a response to the Neil Sedaka song made famous by Captain and Tennille.”   

So just how far does his love of music go?  I asked him which galleries in the DC he was particularly fond of and the one that immediately came to mind was the Govinda Gallery.  The Govinda Gallery, for those of you unfamiliar with it, is known for their shows featuring music-related art.  Their current show features photographs of Bob Marley taken by David Burnett.  Past shows include photographs of The Beatles taken by Henry Grossman. 

This is not to say that Todd’s love of music makes him blind to galleries not focusing on music-related art.  He spoke about all the galleries on his block with equal favor.  They range in focus from contemporary art, to fine art, to contemporary glass. 

When asked about the relationship between them he says it’s great.  “We try to support each other and go to each other’s openings.  Plus we [DFA] have done framing for some other local galleries.”  I was curious if the close proximity among the others hurt business or helped it, so I asked.  He said, “Having other galleries on the block helps.  We feed off each other.  Each gallery has their own audience.  Plus, when people are visiting us, I always refer them to the other galleries in Georgetown or other parts of D.C.”  

Not known for being a traditional gallery, DFA shows art from local, national, and international artists both established and emerging.  Todd is responsible for selecting the artists and choosing the theme when it’s a group show.  No one style of art dominates the gallery.  The theme of the gallery on any given day is based on the artist(s) exhibiting.  The space therefore remains dynamic.   

DFA is located at 1639 Wisconsin Ave., NW between Q and Reservoir.  The block hosts four other galleries in addition to a bevy of furniture and clothing stores.  There’s also a good local bookstore (Presse Bookstore), and a great little coffee shop (The Bean Counter) just a few doors down.  This area participates in the window display competition run by The Georgetowner every December.  DFA took the title in 2007.  You can guess what they did -- incorporate red ribbons around a picture of Stevie Ray Vaughn taken by Chester Simpson.  It was most definitely something to see.   

What’s nice is that patrons of DFA and the other businesses on this block can walk the strip knowing that there’s a positive co-existence among the neighbors and a lot of quality artwork on display.  That stretch of road shares Todd’s lust for life – many came out to inquire see what exactly our staff photographer was doing during our photo shoot.  It’s like he says, the members here feed off each other.  It’s kind of like the crowd at a good concert.  

All photographs ©Chris Flynn  All artwork ©Leah Tinari

Article written by Chris Davis 

DFA is open Tuesday through Saturday, 11am until 6:30 pm.  Visit them online at www.dfaonline.com.  All visual artists mentioned in this article can be found by going through DFA, either in person or through email:  dfa1726@earthlink.net.  Todd can help you acquire one of their works.

You can see more of Leah Tinari’s work and read her bio at www.leahtinari.com.  She is on display at DFA until March 28th 2009, and always available for commissions.

Leon Armour Jr.’s photography can be found at www.slr-eyes.home.att.net

Chester Simpson's work has been featured in numerous national magazines (Rolling Stone comes to mind).  Check out his website:  www.Rock-n-RollPhotos.com

You can see the upcoming artists M.H. Ramona Swift and Nancy Ostertag at DFA starting April 4, 2008.  If you’re impatient, and who isn’t, see them online at:  www.ramonaswift.com and www.nancyostertag.com respectively. 

For information on Brad Pugh and his band, visit www.practicallyeinstein.com. 

Justin Jones wouldn’t mind if you checked out his MySpace page:  www.myspace.com/justinjones  

Last but not least check out The Govinda Gallery, 1227 34^th Street NW, or online at www.govindagallery.com.  It’s a short walk from DFA and the other galleries located there between Reservoir Road and Q Street on Wisconsin. 

Just make sure to stop by and see Todd at DFA first.  I’m pretty sure there will be good music coming from his i-pod and interesting artwork on the walls.