Fraser Gallery to Close Its Doors

The Gazette is reporting that the in downtown Bethesda will soon close its doors.

Catriona Fraser, the gallery’s owner and director, told The Gazette that keeping the gallery open no longer makes financial sense.

Though she said she makes revenue by selling artwork at international art fairs in New York, Boston and Miami, Fraser said there’s a “lack of support” for the work of local artists by the local community.

Fraser told The Gazette that she hasn’t yet sold a piece from her current photography exhibition, which opened Feb. 11.

The gallery is located at 7700 Wisconsin Ave, Suite E, and it’s been located in Bethesda since 2002 after first opening in Georgetown.

The last day the gallery will be open is April 2.

Fraser is deeply connected to the Bethesda arts scene. The Fraser gallery is one of the galleries that opens its doors for the monthly Art Walk organized by the and the gallery also runs emerging artist seminars. Fraser, a renowned photographer, is also the long-time chair of the a juried art competition established by Bethesda philanthropist Carol Trawick. Fraser is also the chair of the Trawick Prize, a visual art prize produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District that honors artists from Maryland, Washington, D.C. and Virginia, and director of the Bethesda Fine Arts Festival.

Clarification: An earlier version of this story referred to Catriona Fraser as the gallery's namesake -- she is also the owner and director. Fraser has been the chair of the Bethesda Painting Awards since its inception and will continue to chair the awards this year. The gallery will remain open until April 2.