The new mural features a 14.5-foot tall Roman soldier.
Partiers surveyed the mural and the menu at Pinea.
Dana Nearing, Ryan Robinson and Vicky Nguyen
Gaia and Philippa Hughes
Gaia and Philippa Hughes
Jocelyn Kelly, Kerry Orra and Amanda Bodhaine
Tara Salem, Kathryn Key, DJ Neekola, Michelle Schoenfeld and Tara Papanicolas
THE PARTY
Vene, vidi, vici! DC’s young, hip and hungry art lovers got the first look at Baltimorebased street artist Gaia’s latest mural—an imposing, pop-culture interpretation of a Roman soldier—at Pinea’s invite-only viewing party. To celebrate the larger-than-life mural—which reflects chef Barry Koslow’s Mediterraneaninspired menu—guests sampled hors d’oeuvres like lamb chops and scallops while snapping Instagramworthy images of the painting.
THE PEOPLE
The W’s new general manager, Meade Atkeson, raised a glass to Gaia, who was on hand to toast his creative partnership with the hotel and pose for pictures with partygoers, including the Pink Line Project’s Philippa Hughes and local art collectors Tim and Jocelyn Greenan, while DJ Dan Deacon spun vintage 1980s tunes.
BEST IN SHOW
Gaia’s over-the-top mural was, of course, the talk of the evening. Spanning 35 feet long and 14.5 feet high across the back wall of the restaurant, the hand-painted work features bold colors and pays design homage to the W’s original beaux arts and classical revivalism architecture, a theme that runs throughout the hotel’s swank spaces. -Photos by Daniel Swartz
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