Empowering ARTISTS for a brighter future.

Transformer is an artist-centered visual arts non-profit based in Washington, DC. Our mission is to connect, elevate, and serve a diversity of emerging visual artists & arts leaders through innovative platforms and partnerships within local, national and international contexts.

CURRENT EXHIBITION

E21: A Different Horizon Atlas:
Collaboratively Mapping Queer Utopias

JUNE 1 - JULY 13, 2024

Featured Artists:
Clay Scofield, Lin Hoerner, MC Coble, Niki Afsar, Lane Timothy Speidel

Lead Mentor:  Jaimes Mayhew

UPCOMING PROGRAMMING:
Zoom Panel on Queer Speculation with
Jaimes Mayhew, Alexis Lothian, and Kalima Young
 July 2, 2024 | 5PM
Join here!

PERFORMANCE ARTIST RESIDENCY IN ASBURY PARK, NJ

Siren Arts: deepwater

Asbury Park, NJ

Exhibition: June 13 - September 15, 2024
Artist Residencies & Performance Art Series:
July 8 - August 16, 2024

Siren Arts' new summer space is within
Asbury Ocean Club
(corner of 4th Ave & Kingsley St, Asbury Park, NJ)

Featuring an exhibition of photography by Sara Stadtmiller & paintings by Zach Storm with additional artworks from Transformer's FlatFile program!

The new space will also be utilized by this summer’s Siren Arts deepwater artists in residence, as they create new works to be presented in public performance art events every Thursday evening July 11 - August 15 on Asbury Park’s 2nd Avenue Beach.

Background Image Credit: Zach Storm,
“Unanticipated Cruise”
featured in Transformer’s FlatFile

UPCOMING EXHIBITION
AT TRANSFORMER

DEMOCRACY ON PARADE

Exhibition / Creation Lab:
July 19 - Sept 7, 2024

Transformer’s Creation Lab with Pointless Theatre and the resulting “Democracy on Parade” will emphasize the transformative potential of art, and how artists & community play an active role in shaping society and politics. The exhibition and culminating series of programming stress the importance of democracy, prompting contemplation on its potential loss. It will expand the boundaries of artistic expression and demonstrate the potential of art to be a powerful catalyst for action.

Opening Reception: July 20, 2024, 1 - 3 PM
Wednesdays - Fridays, 12 - 4 PM:
Scott Whalen and other cohort member having live creation hours!

"[Transformer] is a vital hub of experimental creative energy in the DC community" - Rachel Bers,
Program Director at The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts

RECENT PRESS

THANK YOU to Bmore Art for the incredible spread & article in their latest print edition: Issue 17: Transformation.

Read The Art of Staying the Same and Always Changing: Transformer DC HERE!

Support Bmore Art and purchase your own copy of the magazine HERE!

BE A PART OF TRANSFORMER’S FUTURE SUCCESS –

JOIN THE VISIONARY LEADERS CIRCLE

A new annual fund launched Fall 2021 to champion Transformer’s support of emerging artists & arts leaders.

JOIN VSL small.gif

A series of testimonial videos and reflections from our community celebrating Transformer and how it has ‘transformed’ their practice, work, and engagement with the contemporary field. Short videos will be presented on Transformer’s social media and website throughout the year.

TRANSFORMER20

BUY THE BOOK!

Transformer’s first retrospective book, transformer20, delves into the rich history and impact of Transformer as a leading non-profit visual arts organization based in Washington, DC, with notable national and international reach. 

Recognized by The Washington Post as “a work of art in itself,” the book offers a visual journey through Transformer's history and the evolving world of contemporary art.

LAUNCHED IN 2007, THE FLATFILE IS A GROWING AND EVER-CHANGING COLLECTION
OF 400+ WORKS BY 40+ ARTISTS.

All works are 2D, sized 16" x 20" or smaller, and priced at $500 and below.

 BUY ART

Images: Marie Gauthiez-Charpentier, Attributional Error I; Genie Ghim, Pink Purple Blue; MK Bailey, Tulip Fever Dream Sketch; Mahsa R. Fard, Untitled.

SUPPORTERS

Transformer is supported by our Visionary Leaders Circle of individuals and sponsors,
as well as by the generous support of foundations including:

Transformer is W.A.G.E certified!