The idea for forming Art Outlet started in 2005. Our goal was to create local events, be a resource for artists and to offer a venue for artists to communicate both with each other and the public. In 2006 Art Outlet was formed. The group's core mission is to engage the local communities and to amplify the artist's voice.

Art Outlet will function as a voice for artists, but most importantly, it will be a portal for young and old, from different cultures and every spectrum of the community, to gather and celebrate art and culture and to discuss issues and ideas, which artists and the public feel strongly about. We want to nourish analytical and critical reflection and enrich the community by using contemporary art as a tool for communicating and discussing ideas.

In October of 2006, Art Outlet organized its first art event titled “Life & Death” at the Danville Body Shop in Arlington, VA. 30 artists and designers and more than 15 performers were part of the event. Art Outlet partnered with Walnut Street Development, Arlington Agency on Aging, Clarendon Alliance and the Washington Print Foundation. We also made special outreach to the senior homes in Arlington. The one month long event drew hundreds of visitors and included artists, designers and music performers. In addition we held two free print work shops, which were open to the public. Nancy McIntyre and Margaret Adams Parker were the presenters.

In January of  2007, Art Outlet organized "Flux - An Art Sensory Overload” at the Danville Body Shop in Arlington, VA. More than 50 artists and 30 performers took the stage this time. The exhibition featured an art salon and art raffle. The one day art happening functioned both as a fundraiser to help raise money for programming expenses and it contained a strong performance side. Crossing visual art with interactive multimedia art, performance art, aerial and fire dance, music and theatre to an exiting mix, Art Outlet was able to trance the crowds which came close to 1000 guests.

In June of 2007, Art Outlet premiered it’s first international flash movie festival titled “FLIK” at the Warehouse Next Door in Washington, DC.  We featured 16 flash artists from around the world, including Sundance Award winning Jason Rayles and author and former Disney animator Adam Phillips. The winner for Best in Show was 17 year old Alan Becker of Dublin, Ohio. Thanks to Jack Whitsitt, Art Outlet was able to transport the international artists to the theatre via the online 3d environment Second Life -- thus allowing the moviemakers to not only view the screening, but for the local audience to interact with them as well. Please contact us at flik@artoutlet.org , if you want to participate or partner with us for FLIK 2008.

In October of 2007, Art Outlet partnered with Mexicali Blues to host an El Dia de los Muertos event titled "Ofrenda - Art for the Dead," where we featured 25 contemporary artists, a sugar skull workshop for kids and adults and we diplayed two artist built altars to which the community was invited to bring offerings to. The printed materials were bilingual (English/Spanish) and we incorporated a Mariachi band as well as other local performers. Zulma Aguiar screened her film about Mexican-American border issues.

Successes:
Through these four previous events Art Outlet has demonstrated, that we can produce organized and inspired events on a shoestring budget. We transformed the Danville Body Shop industrial site into a contemporary fine arts gallery with an edge. Art Outlet’s connection to the broader DC arts scene allowed us to book over 175 artists and performers and we have reached out to the international flash movie scene for our third event FLIK. We use internet technology and word of mouth for our marketing and outreach efforts. During Ofrenda, we created a sugarskull workshop, which taught visitors about the Mexican tradition and culture.