In honor of Black History Month, the Arlo Hotel Washington unveiled “Art DC.” Called a “Living Room Gallery Series,” the space is in the rooftop lounge of the historic 1888 Harrison apartments, the District’s oldest surviving apartment building.
The Arlo Hotel is located in the Judiciary Square neighborhood continuing an art gallery concept that has been incorporated at other Arlo locations around the country.
“We started just about three, four years ago by bringing an artistic vibe to our properties,” said Cordell Nelson, general manager at Arlo Washington and a Howard University alumnus. “We wanted to curate the artwork in the community based on what’s going on in the city.”
Artists Halim Flowers and Clarence James kicked off this gallery series.
Flowers grew up in Northeast D.C. near RFK Stadium.
His route to painting was unusual.
At age 16, he was sentenced as an adult to life in prison for being an accomplice to a felony murder. He was released after 22 years and two months under the District bill that allows for resentencing of juveniles. Flowers’ story was captured in the HBO Emmy award-winning documentary “Thug Life In DC.”
In prison, Flowers started developing his skills in hip-hop, painting and writing.
Flowers has authored 11 books, and has clear advice when it comes to art collecting, comparing it to self-discipline.
“You may want to buy this piece, but to have to focus on what you value,” said Flowers. “In your core values, align with them, people, places, and things.”
James came from Raleigh, North Carolina to attend Howard University.
In addition to painting, he is also a muralist, but that was not his original college plan. He started working toward his degree in business marketing.
“Halfway through school, I figured that I needed to do something else,” said James. “I started teaching myself how to paint and began going to museums.”
Using his marketing know-how, James found a group exhibition show that summer he decided to go into a different career route. He was motivated to keep things going by showing his work to various audiences including friends at Howard University.
“I was very outgoing on campus and everyone started noticing,” James continued. “They were telling me that I painted very well, which was very encouraging.”
Both Flowers and James are making the rounds hitting art exhibitions around the country.
Stay on top of upcoming exhibitions at Arlo Washington by visiting arlohotels.com.
