Women Artists of the DMV
Women Artists of the DMV was a sprawling, curated, fine arts exhibition held from late 2025 to early 2026 in 19 different art venues[1][2] across the Greater Washington, DC capital area region, known locally as the DMV (stands for District, Maryland, Virginia).[3] The shows featured over 700 female fine artists, was curated by F. Lennox Campello,[4] and was characterized as the "largest ever curated fine arts exhibition held in the USA."[5]
Notable artists
The 19 venues showcased many of the key female fine artists of the region, including Renee Stout, Rosemary Feit Covey, Amber Robles-Gordon, J.J. McCracken, Helen C. Frederick, Andrea Way, Sandra Pérez-Ramos, Judith Peck, Margery Goldberg, E. J. Montgomery, Michele Banks, Holly Bass, Margaret Boozer, and others, as well as mid career and emerging artists, many of whom, such as Selena Jackson, received their first ever exposure in a museum.[2]
Critical reviews
The various exhibitions were widely reviewed in the region, including written reviews in The Washington Post,[4] many other newspapers,[6][7][8] fine arts platforms,[9] as well as television[5][10] and radio segments.[11]
Controversy
The exhibition gathered some controversy when the Terra Foundation Center for Digital Collections at the Smithsonian Institution declined to accept a gift of the digital archives of the sprawling survey show, and the curator accused the Smithsonian of not "being interested in local artists."[12]
Exhibiting venues
- American University Art Museum at Katzen Center
- Zenith Gallery, Washington, DC
- Adah Rose Gallery, Rockville, MD
- Universities at Shady Grove, Rockville, MD
- Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery, Washington, DC
- Artists & Makers Gallery, Rockville, MD
- Montpelier Arts Center, Laurel, MD
- The Athenaeum, Alexandria, VA
- The Writer's Center, Bethesda, MD
- Pyramid Atlantic Arts Center, Hyattsville, MD
- McLean Project for the Arts, McLean, VA
- University of Maryland Library, College Park, MD
- Children's National Hospital Gallery, Washington, DC
- Strathmore Mansion, North Bethesda, MD
- Maryland Hall for the Arts, Annapolis, MD
- Melissa Ichiuji Gallery, Front Royal, VA
- Nepenthe Gallery, Alexandria, VA
- Falls Church Art Gallery, Falls Church, VA
- ARTSpiration, Frederick, MD
References
- ^ Janis, Michael (2025-08-19). "Women Artists of the DMV: Lenny Campello's Monumental Multi-Venue Survey Recasts the Capital's Art Narrative - East City Art". Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ a b "Women Artists of the DMV: A Survey Exhibition". American University. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ "The Answers Issue 2017". Washington City Paper. 2017-03-09. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ a b Jenkins, Mark (2025-09-10). "Review | A sprawling survey highlights the women making art around D.C." The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 2025-09-10. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ a b "Exhibition showcases women artists of the DMV". NBC4 Washington. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ Times, Kristin Johnson / Fairfax County (2025-10-31). "Women Artists from around the DMV get their due". Fairfax County Times. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ Jones, Erin (2025-11-05). "'Women Artists of the DMV' add inspiration to Artspiration". The Frederick News-Post. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ Fogel, Judith (2025-09-02). "Alexandria Artist Shines in Prestigious Regional Female Art Exhibition". The Zebra--Good News in Alexandria. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ Cieslik, Emma (2025-10-16). "Five DC Exhibitions You Can See Despite the Government Shutdown". hyperallergic.com. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ "Art Exhibition Features Women Artists From Across DC". FOX 5 DC. 2026-02-12. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ Kronzer, Jessica (2025-09-25). "These exhibits spotlight 600 female artists in DC area". WTOP News. Retrieved 2026-02-12.
- ^ "Op-Ed—Local Artists, National Blind Spot: A Call to the Smithsonian - East City Art". 2025-08-18. Retrieved 2026-02-21.