Featuring works by Billy Colbert, Lily Desaussure, Ryan Florig, Marissa Long, Joey Manlapaz, Alexa Meade, Adrian Parsons and Trevor Young

Curated by Danielle Vu

“There’s no “creative class” of monied young jerks showing up in DC with the express purpose of wasting their funds making indie dance music, starting literary journals, or even buying researching jobs at Vanity Fair.” – “Cheer Up, DC will Never be Cool” – Gawker.com, February 13, 2009

Other than the early 80’s punk scene, DC has rarely been noted in the annals of history for anything creatively groundbreaking or interesting. Granted, we have some of the finest art institutions in the world yet as one local artist paraphrased, those museums are where artists go to die, not to be discovered.

However with a recent influx of independent galleries and art fairs, catering to both high-end and street artists, DC is undergoing an artistic transformation. Unfortunately, as a city that shares space with The White House and the Capitol building, all creative industries are overshadowed by political discord and a dysfunctional government. The media likes to inform us on a daily basis that we’re a city with nothing more to offer beyond policy wonks and overpriced cupcakes.

Marking the curatorial debut of Washington resident Danielle Vu, You Are Here: Washington DC brings together work by artists who live and create in Washington DC. Showcased at the innovative Dorian Grey Gallery in the historic East Village, New York, the works presented attempt to shed any political influence and reject the notion that DC residents can easily be lumped into one category or ideal. Collectively, the works make a statement of what it’s like to live in a city where arts are often overlooked and the front page is instead embroiled with the latest congressional scandal. Our day-to-day realities encompass more than politics thus we’re forced to create our own existence.

This exhibit will be accompanied by more things DC: Literary journal The Folly will provide a few issues on hand, homegrown brewery DC Brau will provide refreshments and DC rockers Shark Week (alongside NYC’s Cracked Latin) will be performing the afterparty at Lit Lounge. Encapsulated in NYC, it’s DC – whose voice is struggling to be heard.