The District Chronicles

Issue date: 8/3/08 Section: Business

Media Credit: Jordan Colbert/Staff Photographer

It's a cold, rainy Saturday afternoon and Roxannes' Artiques illuminates the block with its array of lights and soft jazz music playing in the background. With its doors open for all art lovers in the Washington area, Roxannes' Artiques is not your ordinary art gallery. Built in the coziness of a town home in northeast Washington, D.C., Roxanne Carter took her creativity and knowledge of art to build her elegant, yet comfy spot.

Aside from its relaxed setting, Roxannes' Artiques has some of the most extraordinary artwork. When you walk into the living room area of the gallery, you are immediately confronted with bronze statues of musicians, colorful oil paintings of famous Blacks and delicate handcrafted artifacts.

"I call it Roxanne's Artiques because there's something here for everyone, from genuine hand crafted artifacts to lavish jewelry to expensive oil paintings and bronze figurines."

hile Carter always had a love for art, her passion for art grew while taking classes at University of D.C in 1998.

"For years I worked in various sales such as Mary Kay, vending gift baskets and artifacts, and doing local festivals in D.C," said Carter. I wanted to have an actual place instead going around to various festivals."

It was visions of William Johnson, and other various artists who encouraged Carter to design her art gallery. In the spring of 2004, sitting in a tavern across the street, looking through the window, she realized she was staring her art gallery.

"At the time the house was occupied by some college students. Once they moved, I found out who the owner was and I prayed and prayed and prayed, and then the gallery just sort of evolved," said Carter. Utilizing the expressive freedom of art, she designed her gallery to have a diversified selection of pieces.

Established in April 2005, Roxanne's Artiques has been host to exhibits from local artists such as ex-Redskin George Knox, Nzaba, and Kelley Perl. Artiques contains amazing oil paintings and exotic figurines from local and international artists. But don't get nervous about the prices. She has works that ranges from $3,000 for those who are serious art collectors, down to items that are $40.

Carter plans to host more exhibits for local and national artists. She can proudly say that she has done what she wanted to do all along, even though it did not come easy. "I just got the strength within, and kept focused on my vision," she said.

To help solidify her art gallery, Carter credits the support of other businesses in the area such as Basements and Attics, Café Sureia, and Classic Framing and Art. These businesses along with Roxannes' Artiques advertise with one another to increase promotion of each business.

"What keeps me going, is when a new artist comes in and brings in their paintings. That's when the adrenaline comes in. I love the freedom to express other people's work."

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