Artisphere

Went here for the final show! A great venue! So sad it’s closing, but here’s to the memory of one glorious night.

this place wasnt too cool and now it’s closed

I really hope that places like this stick around. Caught a screening of the Last Waltz here a few years ago. Loved it. Got to chat with movie goers by the bar beforehand. Had a great time with my brother. I’d like it if the usher and bar staff were a little more helpful and engaging. I would’ve kept buying at the bar, but they weren’t attentive.

This is a very cool venue in Rosslyn, located walking distance from the metro and very close to Georgetown. They have free art galleries and free parking validation if you attend a show.
I watched the Lula Del Ray show with a few friends who invited me. Although the whole concept of the performance was cool (shadow theater) I must say that I was not a fan. After a few minutes, I was utterly bored. I found the art gallery much more enjoyable, but hey, that’s just me. My friends loved the show. I guess I am not as much of an artsy person?
It was cool how at the end of the show they welcomed the audience on stage to show them how everything works and answer questions as well as demoing how they actually use the equipment and create props.

I remember coming to the building years ago when it was the Newseum, but the contents of Artisphere aren’t nearly as compelling — if you’re looking for something cultural and enriching in Rosslyn you’re still probably better off skipping this. There was a silkworm exhibit by the entrance, it was interesting because the artist happened to be there answering questions. Then on the third floor some flat screens on the wall looping through photos of people in cosplay outfits. The woman at the desk did say that this is really a place you go to hear music when they open up the stage for a performance. Otherwise the building feels empty and very underwhelming.

This is a very nice and intimate venue that’s great for small shows. I saw a one-​man show in the theater here and greatly enjoyed the whole experience.
While you’re waiting for the doors to open to the theater, you can go to the bar, have a drink, and look out the big windows. Further, you can take your drink with you into the theater once the doors open. You can also go upstairs and check out the art exhibits. There are also these huge bean bags that you can lay on by the bar while you’re waiting to go in.
The theater itself is nice and small — there’s no bad seat — enabling a very personal experience for every person in the house.

Go on a night when there ISN’T a schedule event and you’ll have the entire building to yourself. On the top level, there’s a dark and romantic terrace – perfect for sneaking in a kiss during a date. On the lower level, there are giant bean bags for art viewing. Try not to spend an hour admiring the ceiling – it’s NOT an exhibit.
Go on a night when there IS a scheduled event, and the bar will be open for service.

Great small/​medium sized conference venue.
The best part of the theater room is the secret hidden space on the second level that most people don’t notice. Take the stairs up there and have a table to yourself to look out over the conference space — and you get a better view of the slides!

I came here for the Andy Warhol silver clouds exhibit and was literally blown away… they had industrial fans blowing the «pillows» around. The exhibit was immersive, so when do you have a chance to actually touch and frolic in the artwork?
The facility is gorgeous and the staff are extremely friendly (even for a free exhibit!). It is conveniently close to the metro, so I would definitely come back for future exhibits.

What a great place to see a concert! Artisphere is conveniently located close to Metro and plus has free (validated) evening parking in the garage below (although getting out of the garage was confusing!). All the employees were very friendly, the bar area is cool, the ballroom is clean (i.e. people sat on the floor between sets — a dirty grungy club this is not!) and has a cool bench/​ledge on the side. Restrooms are also nice and clean (although I agree with whomever complained about the ants on the walls — they are slightly creepy). Overall, I would definitely see live music here again, or come check out other events.

This is a cool little art place to check out and is right en route to D.C. for us out in the burbs treking into the city. I first came here for GRUMP– an awesome alternative holiday indoor market that is reminiscent of Crafty Bastards (but bonus points for the roaming Yeti). I wound up perusing the gallery as well. Right on the second floor off the escalator is a great living plant wall that I admire and wished I could have/​make myself. The star wars elevator to get on the top floor is fun to try out as well. The gallery is on the small side– you can see everything in there in about a half hour or so.
What I didnt know (but really I wished I had) is that you can park in the garage right on the left side near the entrance. Its a pay garage with no indication that Artisphere visitors get to go free, but at the front desk inside they can stamp you for free parking on your way out.

I visited the Warhol «Silver Clouds» Exhibit here, which was so cool! Since I lived in Pittsburgh for six years, I have high expectations for anything Warhol, and I think my peeps from the 412 would also be impressed!
I liked how there were so many cool spaces here, along with a theater. It would be great to host an event here or come back for another one of their fabulous exhibitions!

Just go! Was a bit skeptical to join some friends for cocktails and see an exhibit but what a fun and great experience this was. Went to see the Andy Warhol Silver Clouds exhibit and it was an interactive experience. Artisphere is that type of place, where you can play with art. Many of their exhibits are interactive and immerse you as part of the piece. Some of the exhibits are free others are paid. That night a fantastic Cuban pianist was playing as part of a paid concert and 3 of us snuck in past the ticket guy as they let you float freely thoughout the space. Stop judging, not encouraging you to do that but I was drug in there by a quick pull of my arm and before I knew it we’d snuck in.
Definitely worth going if you want to sit at their wine bar and listen to live music and/​or browse through some of their galleries. If the wine’s hit you hard and you’re in the mood to party there’s not a lot of places to go around the museum except for the hotel next door which offers a rooftop bar with amazing views or walk two blocks over to café asia.

OK, first things first — If you haven’t been to the Silver Clouds exhibit: Go. Now. If you have tots, this is definitely something you want to check out, although you might want to make sure they understand that this exhibit is special before you go to a museum where jumping around in the artwork is not allowed.
You’re welcome.
(If you’re reading this review after Oct. 20, 2013, dreadful sorry.)
Second, what a great place. A very nice layout, very quiet and just a couple of blocks from Rosslyn (OK maybe three. Not that far at all). If it were closer to my normal haunts I’d make it a hangout. But I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on exhibits and events there.

Came here to check out the Andy Warhol, «Silver Clouds» exhibit (which is free by the way). The exhibit was really cool, and it was fun to interact with the art.
On my way in, a local artist was sketching a huge city and godzilla scene on the chalkboard. I found it incredibly fascinating to watch the artist in action.
It’s easy to find Artisphere. Just follow the colorful artwork from the Metro station… including the crochet wrapped trees.

Our first visit to Artisphere was for a concert (Gangstagrass), and it was a very nice venue. The parking garage entrance should be taken slowly if you’re in a compact car or you’ll bottom out, but validation made it free to park so I can’t complain. The venue is very nice inside, with an interesting asymmetric layout (there is only a balcony on one side, but it is the best way to get a good view of the stage), and some cool art on the walls. The only complaint I had was that the bartenders in the lobby seemed completely overwhelmed by even the small crowd, so getting a drink was far more time consuming than it should have been.
Overall a cool venue for a concert, highly recommended.

Of course I have nothing but rockin’ things to say about this stellar space. My brother had his wedding reception in the ballroom, and it was a rocking good time — literally! The Artisphere is perfectly equipped to deal with the A/​V needs of a band or other performances, and it was such a relief for my bro and his bride-​to-​be (now wife!) not to worry about needing to make the space look spectacular. The Artisphere does that all on its own with all the various art on display at all times.
The parking situation is a little tricky in that there are a couple of different garages that you can park in, and you do have to get your stub validated in order for it to be free, but just follow the signs and you’ll ultimately end up in the right place. Make sure to head outside to check out the outdoor space, too — we took some of the wedding party photos there and it offers an awesome view of Rosslyn!

I came here to see International interior design exhibition. The gallery was bigger than most private galleries and has a small cafeteria inside. Very modern but cozy feeling.
It seems to be a good place to come on a date night :)
Staff were friendly and there were a few different exhibitions throughout the gallery. Free parking garage (weekend and evenings of weekdays) was great!

I had my wedding reception in the Artisphere Ballroom in May 2013 and it was fabulous. The whole art gallery is just wonderful and has such a great aesthetic. I love the whole vibe of the place.
Mahsa, our venue contact for the event, was wonderful. She was super responsive to all of our questions and requests.
Our venue rental came with two sound and lighting technicians (whom I didn’t really notice during the reception, but the sound and lighting was great). We were able to talk to the technicians ahead of time and specify what type of lighting we wanted. We had live musicians, as well as a DJ, both of whom sounded amazing.
The venue has a preferred caterers list. I will say, that the caterer we chose kept telling us that the «load-​in» for the venue was very difficult… our bill for the caterer was more expensive for this reason, but that’s hardly the venue’s fault. Just a warning, if you’re on a tight budget.
Overall, Artisphere is a must-​visit if you have some free time in Rosslyn. As far as wedding venues… it’s beautiful, and the staff was great. However, it was clear that Artisphere doesn’t specialize in wedding rentals and you might run into one or two difficulties for that reason.

I came here just last night for the Matthew Donovan and Periwinkle fashion showI. I had never been to Artisphere or a real fashion show before (I don’t think the ones in the Fashion Show mall in Las Vegas count), so I was super excited when I was informed that I had won tickets on Unilocal.Woohoo! *insert happy dance*
I am kind of familiar to the Arlington area, so finding Artishpere was pretty easy. The building also stands out from the street. If you’re paying attention you shouldn’t miss it. The parking garage is a little confusing. The Wilson Blvd. entrance is not open all day, so you will have to enter down a side street. No big deal, but it doesn’t make a whole lot of sense to me to not keep both entrances open. Traffic issues maybe?
I was very surprised at just how clean the building is. Normally large public buildings make you feel like you’re going to catch something just by walking through the front door. Artisphere is refreshingly sanitary. Even the bathrooms are clean!
If I have to gripe about anything it would be the timeliness of the event starting. I showed up at 6:30pm thinking that I would have a half an hour to mingle with the «beautiful people» before the show would start at 7:00pm. To my surprise I was one of about 5 people even there at that time. Apparently the other fashionistas knew something that I didn’t, and that was that the show wasn’t going to start until well after 8:00pm. Had I been in on that I would have stopped up Northside Social for a refill on Bourbon coffee beans. Haha!
The little bar setup outside of the ballroom was a great place to hang out before a show, and the bartender of the evening, Elena, was really fun. I always love a bartender who will chat with you, and Elena was full of great and entertaining conversation. I just wish that Artisphere was able to serve more than just beer and wine. Yes, I understand that there are regulations against that sort of thing, but a fashion show seems like a place for pretty cocktails served in abstract martini glasses. Not cheap wine in a mini plastic cup, or beer straight out of a bottle.
Anyway, the show was pretty fun… once it started. I was disappointed that Matthew Donovan didn’t show up. Not that I was specifically looking forward to seeing his collection. I don’t know anything about fashion designers, so I have no idea what I was actually missing. I just would have liked the show to be longer. I feel I spent more time in traffic, and at the bar, than I did watching the show. Kind of a bummer, but the experience of a fashion show and the people I met made up for it.
I loved Periwinkle! I will definitely be visiting there store in the future to blow some mula. The coats they presented in the show were to-​die-​for! I don’t even want to know how much they will cost me. I guess it’s best to leave that worrying for later though, or just accept it now that large amounts of money are going to be spent on things I really don’t need but somehow feel I can’t live without. Haha!
Overall, Artisphere is a great place for events. I will be looking for more to go to in the future, and highly recommend you check them out. If you’re looking for a bit of liquor before your show, though, hit up a local bar before hand. You’ll only get the light stuff there.