We are thrilled to announce the Grand Opening of our new photography studio within Nepenthe Gallery in Alexandria, Virginia. We are nestled in the historic Hollin Hall shopping center in the Fort Hunt section of Alexandria, the gallery and studio space will open its doors for a Grand Opening Event on March 10th from 6:00pm-8:00pm.

Named after the Greek term for “a place of no sorrow,” Nepenthe Gallery will be the first of its kind in Alexandria – a vibrant artistic oasis that dear friends gallery owners and Alexandria natives Jim and Carrie Garland hope will also serve as a community gathering spot. A retreat, a respite…a place of no sorrow. We will offer a range of photography sessions and services against the beautifully lit and curated backdrop of visual art masterpieces from a wide range of critically-acclaimed, established, and emerging artisans across the eras. In addition to our studio, Renée C. Gage Photography, the gallery features a custom frame shop. 

We specialize in capturing families, children, expectant mothers, and professionals.  We have been doing this for over twenty years. After 12 moves and 5 deployments as a military spouse,  we are thrilled to plant roots with my husband, Sam, and our five happy boys, in their beloved Alexandria community, where we frequently dedicates our time and talent to supporting local education programs and other small businesses. 

“Renée C. Gage is a local Master Photographer who has specialized in capturing families, children, expectant mothers, and professionals with her camera for over twenty years. Gage is known for preserving life’s rich beauty and capturing the little moments that mean the most with elegance and eloquence. She is a member of the American Society of Photographers and this past January, was awarded her Photographic Craftsman Degree awarded by the Professional Photographers of America. In 2020 and 2021, two of Gage’s images won the prestigious “Best Portrait of a Child” award from the Virginia Professional Photographers Association and “Ascend” was named Top 50 Portraits of a Child in the United States. Gage is also recognized internationally for her infrared landscape imagery and recently earned a place in the distinguished VPPA Commonwealth Collection.”

Gage’s work has been published in NBC, CNN, Good Morning America, The Washington Post, The Washingtonian, The Bend Magazine, Bainbridge Island Magazine, The Scout Guide, Alexandria Stylebook, The Zebra Press,Flying Edna, and Military Families Magazine. 

We will continue to offer our signature location sessions,  we are thrilled to welcome our clients into a space alive with the energy of emerging and established artists from around the world. “You could scoop this gallery up and drop it in DC, but the point is to have it in our little neighborhood.” 

Nepenthe will feature a rotating selection of iconic prints, neon images, sculptures, objects, and merchandise, all beautifully displayed beneath the brilliantly engineered lighting of Alex Cooper, the Lighting Designer for the National Portrait Gallery in Washington, D.C. The impressive roster of artists includes:

Local Artists: Judy Heiser, Susanne Fyffe, Jennifer Lian, Erin Parsons, Nancy Ziegler

Artists from in and around DMV: Debby Brisker Burk, Ben Olsen, Sonia Gadra, Natalie Cox

Artists from around the USA: Shima Shanti, San Diego, CA; Staci Katsias, Virginia Beach, VA; David Brashear, Virginia Beach, Williamsburg, VA & NYC; Ann Sklar, Tampa, FL; Kim Smith, Lancaster, PA; Jason Wright, Hawaii; Connie Conway, Hollywood Hills, CA; Eileen Wold, WA; Mark Hopkins, Newport News, VA; Flying Edna, Cape Cod, MA; Susie Webster, Chesapeake City, MD; Cara Romero, Santa Fe, NM; Vadim Kharchencko, NJ; Ancizar Marin, FL; Evelyn Dunphy, ME 

International Artists: Carlos and Taller Clavelli, Uruguay

Works for sale by renowned artists: Alexander Calder, Victor Vasarely, Emilio Sanchez, Robert Indiana

Friends of Nepenthe Artists: Catherine Owens, Leslie Hatton, Maria Burke, Kim Carmichael

Masterpieces from the Garland family’s private collection of 19th century American art will also be on display in the gallery for the public to enjoy.

While home to an incredible curation of art and an elegant photography studio, the Nepenthe Gallery will also serve as a community space, with indoor and outdoor seating designed to encourage visitors to take a few moments in the midst of busy life and simply be in a space of peace and creativity. To breathe, to imagine, to recharge.  

The Gages and Garlands invite the public to join them for a Grand Opening Reception on March 10th from 6:00pm to 8:00pm for light refreshments, community, and a one-of-a-kind art experience.

The Renée C. Gage Photography studio at Nepenthe Gallery is located at 7918 Fort Hunt Road, Alexandria, Virginia 22308. Visit Renée C. Gage Photography at www.reneecgage.com or follow at @reneecgagephoto. For more information, questions, or media outreach, contact  [email protected]