After a look at The Awakening sculpture, recently moved to the site from Hains Point, and a stroll around the rather deserted shops and convention center, I came upon Art Whino. Brimming with interested faces, this art gallery seemed to have all the attention of the harbor’s visitors. The current exhibition, Inked Souls, is an artist collaborative of canvas pieces on the wall each paired with customized Tagur sneakers by the same artist. (Tagur in and of itself is a blog post.) In this case, the footware company and Art Whino teamed up to give artists the opportunity to paint the Tagur AKA Blank model shoes. Then Tagur responds to the crowds’ reactions by producing a line of shoes with the most popular design. You can even buy your own pair to paint and send a photo to the company for consideration. According to the Tagur brand motto, the customer becomes the producer.

Art Whino knows how to take chances in marketing, moving from its location in popular Old Town (Alexandria, Va.) to its new National Harbor location, just outside of Oxon Hill, MD. Collaborating with companies that give their visitors a chance to interact with the art is a smart move. I even spotted local Indiana artist Emma Overman’s works near the front of the gallery.

Maybe it was the painted kicks that drew a crowd or the shared experience of witnessing and being a part of something creative and “soulful.” Regardless, locating an art gallery or museum in a developing area can not only prove commercially sucessful but also serves as a welcoming place of community and excitement.