With a name like The Fridge, one would assume a cold, uninviting vibe from the events held at the venue. However, this Capitol Hill art space is quite the opposite. After visiting the gallery to attend their Sunday workshops, it is easy to warm up to The Fridge.
Walking in, it is hard to know exactly what to expect. The group’s most recent workshops, sponsored by a non-profit organization dedicated to spreading the arts through different interactive and participatory programs called Albus Cavus, were both graffiti-inspired. The workshops are an amazing display of artistic skill. Some of the artists appear to be regulars, and their work and relationships with the staff show it.
Though visitors who are not so experienced as artists may feel nervous, the kind staff and tight-knit community quickly make you feel right at home. At the start of the workshop, attendees went around in a circle and stated their names, and soon after engaged in a group activity. Artists began taking turns painting a large sheet of paper in order to demonstrate wheat-pasting. Artists of all ages took their turn at the paper; some were as young as 11-years-old; others were well into adulthood.
Each person then got to make their own work of art on the paper created by the workshop, and afterward took liberty with paint rollers and pasted them onto a free standing wood wall. All artistic skills were on display, from beginners to practiced artists. D.C. female graffiti artist Decoy led the workshop, her energy and insight bringing both fun and inspiration to the workshop attendees.
Workshop participants were just as enthusiastic the next Sunday, learning about graffiti style and lettering. Each chose their own tag names, and through the guidance of another local graffiti artist, Ultra, learned basic lettering styles as well as shading. Having help in a hands-on environment made the workshop completely worthwhile, allowing each person to learn a lot about their own skills, as well as the skills and techniques of others artists, both local and non-local.
The space itself is pretty eye-catching — not what you’d expect from an art gallery advertised in the Capitol Hill area. It possesses an industrial and raw look, from the plain white walls to the raw wood details, that give the gallery an edge one would never expect from the District. Work from a recent art show remained on the wall — drawings and paintings alike. It was small, but that only added to its charm. For those planning to visit the Fridge anytime in the very near future, they have several events coming up. You can access their calendar via their Web site, www.thefridgedc.com. They also have a flickr page that anyone can access at http://www.flickr.com/photos/thefridgedc.
Their stream, which is constantly being updated, features all the fun people have had at past workshops and events. Next Saturday, Feb. 6, they have a show opening titled “Empty Time,” with the reception starting at 8 p.m. The show “celebrates the quiet moments of idle numbness and self-indulgence, in which time is not killed, but savored,” according to the Fridge’s Web site. Artists included hail from all over the country, from California to Pennsylvania. The show closes March 3, so make sure to check it out before then.
The Fridge is located within walking distance of the Eastern Market Metro station. Bring a friend for an alternative, creative and cheap way to spend a weekend.
You can reach this writer at thescene@theeagleonline.com.
