Anne and James Kim are the owners of Orchard Gallery, and they couldn't be nicer. They rotate shows at least monthly, and they feature mostly unknown artists. They look at what's brought to them, and they show what they like. It's that simple. The fact that the art is by people who aren't (yet) established artists allows them to sell exciting work at relatively low prices.
We were drawn in by the work of a man named Bob Dodsen—mostly local landscapes and farm-scapes, but also some wonderful drawings of nudes—and we walked out owning two paintings from the show (our first red dots!). We went back for the reception the next day and met Bob and drank surprisingly good wine and ate pretty awful cheese and had a great time.
Orchard Gallery participates in the monthly Bethesda Art Walk. It's the second Friday of every month from 6-9pm, with 11 galleries participating (as of today) and offering free refreshments. Free guided tours are scheduled for the March, April, May, June, September and October Fridays—nice warm months.
But stop in the gallery any time (we went after dinner); they're on Norfolk between Cordell and St. Elmo. Anne and James seem to know what they're doing and love what they're doing and they're a pleasure to talk to. Anne and James chose the name Orchard for the growth and abundance it connotes. They want their artists thrive and bear beautiful, juicy fruit, and they do what they can to make it so.
Orchard Gallery Art & Framing, 7917 Norfolk Avenue, Bethesda, 240.497.1912
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