The McLean Art Gallery will open at Chesterbrook Shopping Center in McLean on Sept. 17, 2025 (courtesy McLean Art Society)

While McLean awaits the arrival of a permanent downtown arts center, residents will be treated to a temporary showcase of local artists at the Chesterbrook Shopping Center.

The McLean Art Gallery is set to open behind Starbucks at 6224B Old Dominion Drive on Sept. 17, the McLean Art Society announced Monday (Sept. 8).

Paintings, 3D sculptures, cards and other works from 35 different local artists will remain on display and available for sale at the pop-up gallery through the end of 2025. The nonprofit society also plans to host workshops for members of the public.

“We are very excited about the new gallery,” McLean Art Gallery Director Jane McElvaney Coonce said in a press release. “Art enriches life and is the soul of human experience … I just know we will bring much happiness and excitement to the community.”

Envisioned as “a vibrant hub for our community’s art enthusiasts and collectors,” the gallery will be open to the public on Wednesdays through Sundays from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., according to the McLean Art Society.

The participating artists will be in attendance for an opening reception on Friday, Oct. 10 from 5-8 p.m.

Founded in 1955, the McLean Art Society supports “art enthusiasts of all levels” with curated exhibitions, rotating displays at local recreation centers, presentations by artists, and opportunities for artists to sell their work both in person and online. Members typically meet at the McLean Community Center (1234 Ingleside Avenue) from September through May.

According to McElvaney Coonce, the McLean Art Gallery was made possible with support from Federal Realty Investment Trust, which owns and manages the Chesterbrook Shopping Center.

The gallery will fill a vacant space that was previously occupied by a Sherwin-Williams paint store.

The shopping center has been undergoing a $8.5 million renovation and welcomed the Maryland-based fashion boutique Sassanova as its newest retail tenant in July.

That same month, Federal Realty also confirmed that the fast-casual eatery Sweetgreen and beach-themed Mexican restaurant Surfside have both leased space in the former Truist bank building at 6220 Old Dominion Drive.

Sweetgreen is expected to open later this fall, but no opening timeline has been announced yet for Surfside.