Art Pieces Go On Deep Discount

WASHINGTON DC (WUSA)--- Step into Zenith Gallery in Penns Quarter, and you'll see vibrant-colored acrylic paintings, wooden sculptures and a tapestry dedicated to the victims of September 11, 2001.

For the first time, some of these artworks are selling for 40% to 50% off, but you'll have to visit as soon as you can; time is running out.

After opening its doors over three decades ago, Zenith Gallery has officially shut its doors. The 31-year-old local art gallery closed on March 31, 2009. However, the gallery remains open unofficially for customers during the move-out process.

"After 31-years of retail, I'm exhausted. When you run a retail business, you never get a sabbatical. Even when you're not here, it's still your liability. It's still your responsibility. It's still your employees. It's no getting away from it," says gallery owner Margery Goldberg.

She says it's time to pull the plug, because she is tired and can't keep up with the 2,400 square-foot-retail space.

As the gallery prepares to close down, it's having its first sale.

"This is an expedition, when you move. And also the timing is right. The economy sucks. It's good to have a sale. This is really [putting the] rubber to the road time. What the market will bear is what people will be willing to pay now. It's really eye-opening in that regard," she says. The gallery is expected to remain available for customers for the beginning of April 2009 during the closing period.

Elizabeth Sullivan and Andras Kosaras stepped into the gallery on its last official day. They're saddened over the closing, and they complain about the increasing amount of "souvenir stores" populating downtown D.C. They leave without purchasing anything, but they stopped to admire the metal mesh and acrylic piece by local artist Joan Konkel.

Goldberg is a wood-sculptor and furniture designer who opened up her first gallery right in Georgetown immediately after graduation from George Washington University. She opened up Zenith Gallery in 1978.

The majority of the artists are located in the Washington-area, while the rest are national and international, says Margery.

"Lots of people are coming in. We're still selling artwork here. We're still negotiating a lot of [art]deals, schlepping them into their homes," she says.

"It's sad," says Sofia Gawer-Fische, a photographer and painter who has worked at the gallery for over a year. She says she plans to continue working with Goldberg.

"It's sad because [Zenith Gallery] was an institution for so many years. But I know that Margery will keep working with the artists and showing their work," she says.

Goldberg says she will keep working as an art consultant. She also devotes her time to local community events through her non-profit, Zenith Community Arts Foundation that has collaborated with the Capital Area Food Bank.