Art Whino

Where the Art Is
Area Galleries Find New Homes in Unconventional Spaces

By Michael O'Sullivan
Washington Post Staff Writer
Friday, November 14, 2008

First of all, for all those wondering: What's up with the name?

According to Art Whino owner Shane Pomajambo, the unusual moniker for his gallery is a nod to his own addiction to the graffiti-inspired, pop surrealist and "lowbrow" art he specializes in, "intentionally misspelled for an urban feel." He'd better hope that the hip, gritty vibe conveys to his new home in the Prince George's County development known as National Harbor. The Potomac waterfront destination, which caters to tourists and conventioneers, is about as far from urban as it gets.

Pomajambo knew he was taking something of a gamble when he relocated this past spring from Alexandria. Most of his youthful, city-based clients don't have cars, and now must share rides just to get to his regular DJ-fueled art parties. He isn't terribly worried though. Pomajambo says he thinks the audience for his kind of art -- which ranges in price from $30 to $2,000 or so, with most of it on the low end -- is far wider than the downtown crowd.

"I hate to break the news," he says, "but there's a lot of people like me."