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Pavilion Pop-Up: Featuring Transformer

The Pavilion Pop-Up, formerly a T-Mobile store, offers 2,113 square feet in the Chevy Chase Pavilion retail center. In fall 2025, the Friendship Heights Alliance has transformed the space into a “third place” with a gallery, reading room, and lounge areas for creative and interactive programming. Open to the public multiple days a week, it provides a free, indoor gathering spot for the neighborhood. The Pavilion Pop-Up is at 5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, next to the office lobby; enter just to the right of Trader Joe's.

A Distinct Terroir

For the Friendship Heights Alliance, Transformer’s curatorial staff team will present A Distinct Terroir, an exhibition showcasing a bounty of artists and creative styles from the DC area through the lens of our FlatFile collection. ‘Terroir’ refers to the set of factors that influence the unique character growth of a subject, including all the environmental factors that morph its characteristics and quality. It’s a holistic concept that considers not just the environment and climate, but also the topography, biodiversity, and human impact on a region. The DMV’s terroir, from its political importance to its Mid-Atlantic and Appalachian landscape, to its rich immigrant community, inspires each artist in a different way, making our local artists’ work distinctly topical.

In addition to exhibiting works on gallery walls, Transformer will present selections from the more than 300 works in our FlatFile through unique installation displays designed by artists for visitors to browse through. All works will be available for purchase. Throughout the run of the exhibition, Transformer will present artist-led community programming, engaging audiences through hands-on, interactive workshops presented monthly on Saturdays. These will include workshops on printmaking, mixed-media collage, and more to engage audiences of all ages in the creation of their own artworks. All workshops will be presented for free with materials provided.

All events are FREE; RSVP requested. Visit the event calendar to learn more about each event:

Opening Reception of A Distinct Terroir with pet portraits by artist Elizabeth Graeber: Saturday, February 28, 12-2 pm: (Community open house 12-6; Opening event time: 2-4 pm. Meet the artist with a brief program 3 pm.)

Closing Reception: Wednesday, May 20, 5-7 pm

Workshops: 

  • Wednesday, March 4: 5-7pm Workshop at Friendship Heights
  • Saturday, March 14: 12-2pm Artists Interviewing Artists talk and reception
  • Wednesday, April 1: 5-7pm Workshop 
  • Saturday, April 18: 12-2pm Artists Interviewing Artists talk and reception 
  • Wednesday, May 6: 5-7pm Workshop at Friendship Heights

Weekly Gallery Open Hours:

Saturdays, 12 pm to 6 pm
March 7, 14, 21, 28
April 4, 11, 18, 25
May 2, 9, 16, 23, 30

Wednesdays, 11 am to 2 pm
March 11, 18, 25
April 1, 8, 15, 22, 29
May 6, 13, 20

Thursdays, 11 am to 2 pm
March 5, 12, 19, 26
April 2, 9, 16, 23, 30
May 7, 14

About Transformer Gallery

Founded in 2002, Transformer is a Washington, DC based 501(c)3 artist-centered, nonprofit visual arts organization whose mission is to connect, elevate, and serve a diversity of emerging artists and arts leaders. Transformer develops innovative, multi-faceted exhibitions and programs to present the ongoing ideas and work of emerging artists that engage the District in what’s now and next in contemporary art. A trusted and respected programming partner, we are known to work with dynamic artists and expand the artistic horizons for audiences around the DMV. We have extensive experience working with local organizations and institutions, and have most recently presented off- site exhibitions and programming at the MLK Library and The Line DC.

Transformer is excited to participate in the growth of the Friendship Heights neighborhood by highlighting a diversity of DC artists & artistic aesthetics featured in our FlatFile program to the area. Launched in spring 2007, Transformer’s FlatFile is a growing and ever-changing collection of 400+ original works on paper by 40+ artists from the DC area, all priced at $500 and below. Created to support a broad range of emerging artists, providing them with 70% of all sales proceeds, the program is also building emerging collectors with the opportunity to purchase affordable, original art.

In the last several years, Transformer’s FlatFile program has grown substantially through exhibitions at Transformer and around the DMV via pop-ups and small format installations. Recent FlatFile exhibition collaborations include presentations with TEPHRA ICA’s Capital One Celebration of the Arts, Logan Circle Main Street, The Line DC, and Barrel House Cafe & Bar.