Transformer Opens New FlatFile Exhibit in Friendship Heights

A Distinct Terroir Will Run from Feb. 28 to May 20

Washington, DC, February 26, 2026 – The Alliance is thrilled to announce the opening of a new gallery show at the Pavilion Pop-up in partnership with Transformer, a nonprofit visual arts organization based in DC. A Distinct Terroir, an exhibition showcasing a bounty of artists and creative styles from the DC area through the lens of Transformer’s FlatFile collection, will open this weekend and run through May 20, featuring 2 workshops, 5 artist talks and receptions, and 33 days of staffed gallery hours.

“Bringing people together around arts and culture in the neighborhood is one of our top priorities — and one of our favorite things to do,” said Friendship Heights Alliance Executive Director Natalie Avery. “This Transformer exhibit will create dozens of opportunities for residents throughout the region to uplift local artists through hands-on workshops, gatherings, and artist talks.”

“Transformer is very honored to forge this exciting new collaboration with the Friendship Heights Alliance, and to have the opportunity to expand our mission of support for emerging artists with the A Distinct Terroir exhibition at the Pavillion Pop-up and with the Friendship Heights community," said Victoria Reis, Founder and Executive & Artistic Director at Transformer.

The Pavilion Pop-Up is a community space that opened last fall, managed by Friendship Heights Alliance in partnership with Chevy Chase Pavilion and Clarion Partners.

This weekend, join us for a Community Open House:

When: Sat. February 28, 2026, 12-6 pm

Meet the Artists Reception: 2-4 pm

Where: Pavilion Pop-Up at The Heights Lobby, 5335 Wisconsin Avenue NW, DC

Free & open to the public!

RSVP requested; please RSVP here.

About A Distinct Terroir

Launched in spring 2007, Transformer’s FlatFile is a dynamic and continually evolving collection of more than 400+ 2D artworks by over 40 artists. Each work measures 16" x 20" or smaller and is priced at $500 or below, making original local art accessible to a wide audience of collectors and community members.

‘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.

A Distinct Terroir presents works both on the gallery walls and through innovative, artist-designed installation displays at The Heights Pavillion Pop-Up that invite visitors to browse selections from more than 300 FlatFile artworks. All artworks in the exhibition will be available for purchase. Throughout the run of the A Distinct Terroir, Transformer will present artist-led community programming, engaging audiences with Wednesday evening artist conversations, and 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.

How to Get There: 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 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. If you arrive by Metro, take the elevator to Wisconsin Avenue and the entrance is to the left as you exit; or, if you take the Metro elevators to the Chevy Chase Pavillion Atrium, follow the signs to Trader Joe’s.

Exhibition Hours: Monday through Friday, 9 am – 5 pm. The gallery will be staffed Wednesdays & Thursdays 11 am – 2 pm; and Saturdays 12 – 6 pm.

Exhibition Programming:

Saturday, February 28, 12 - 6 pm, Community Open House; 2 – 4 pm, Meet the Artists Reception
Wednesday, March 4, 5 – 7 pm, Artist Talk & Reception with FlatFile artists Jaswant Pakki and Katty Huertas
Saturday, March 14, 2 – 4 pm, Workshop with Rebecca C. Adams
Wednesday, April 1, 5 – 7 pm, Artist Talk & Reception with FlatFile artists Maps Glover and Sifu Sun
Saturday, April 18, 2 – 4 pm, Keychain Making Workshop with FlatFile artist Electra Pelias
Wednesday, May 6, 5 – 7 pm, Artist Talk and Reception with FlatFile artists Marisa Stratton and Chloe H.
Wednesday, May 20, 5 – 7 pm, Closing Reception

Click here to view all the featured FlatFile Artists.

About the Friendship Heights Alliance
The Friendship Heights Alliance envisions a more vibrant, dynamic, and inclusive future for Friendship Heights, with diversity in housing opportunities and retail experiences, and a people-friendly public realm. This place-focused nonprofit coordinates the community building needed to reinvigorate the entirety of Friendship Heights, serving the commercial corridor along Wisconsin Avenue from Oliver Street in Montgomery County, Maryland, to Fessenden Street NW in Washington, DC. The Alliance is a 501(c)6 nonprofit created in 2021 to focus on public space management and coordination; increase collaboration amongst property owners in both Maryland and Washington, DC, as development continues; promote the neighborhood; and engage with residents and businesses. The Alliance has organized nearly a dozen pop-ups throughout the neighborhood. Thanks to Clarion Partners for providing the space for this partnership with Transformer. To learn more, visit friendshipheights.com or follow @FriendshipHeightsAlliance.

About Transformer
t r a n s f o r m e r is a Washington, DC based 501 (c) 3 artist-centered, non-profit visual arts organization. Founded in June 2002 by artists & arts organizers, Transformer provides a consistent, supportive, and professional platform for emerging artists to explore and present experimental artistic concepts, build audiences for their work, and advance their careers. A catalyst and advocate for contemporary artists and emergent expression in the visual arts, Transformer connects and promotes emerging visual artists within regional, national and international contexts through innovative exhibition and programs partnerships with a broad & diverse range of individual and organizational partners. t r a n s f o r m e r ‘ s 2025/26 Exhibition Series and programs are supported by: The Morris & Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, The CrossCurrents Foundation, The DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities/NEA, The Sachiko Kuno Foundation, Logan Circle Main Street Association, The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts, Transformer's Board and Advisory Council, and The Visionary Leaders Circle – a growing group of individual donors & corporate sponsors.

About Clarion Partners
Clarion Partners, LLC, an SEC registered investment adviser with FCA-authorized and FINRA member affiliates, has been a leading U.S. real estate investment manager for more than 40 years. Headquartered in New York, the Firm maintains strategically located offices across the United States and Europe. With over $73 billion in total real estate and debt assets under management, Clarion Partners offers a broad range of real estate strategies across the risk/return spectrum to approximately 500 institutional investors across the globe. Clarion is scaled in all major property types and was an early entrant into the Industrial sector. The Firm’s global industrial team manages a ~1000 property portfolio in the U.S. and Europe consisting of more than 250 million square feet. Clarion Partners is an independently operated specialist investment manager of Franklin Templeton. More information about the firm is available at www.clarionpartners.com.

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