The Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Board decided during a "fact-finding" hearing on June 19 that no enforcement actions would be taken against galleries while the ABC Board works with the Art Dealers Association of Greater Washington to create a policy that addresses the dispensing of complimentary alcoholic beverages during these events.

ABC officials created an uproar in the local arts community when the board announced in May that art gallery owners may be in violation of D.C. law if they offer alcohol without first acquiring a license from the Alcohol Beverage Regulation Administration. As a result, the board suspended enforcement of its threatened crackdown and scheduled the June hearing to review the selling and dispensing of alcohol in art galleries as well as determine a policy for the galleries to acquire liquor licenses.

ABC Board Chairman Roderic L. Woodson said he wants art dealers to understand that they are not under any investigation and that the board wants to get a better understanding of what it is that the galleries do on a regular basis.

"We need to keep the line of communication open. We will articulate a statement of policy in respect to the operations under advisement," he said.

The offering of alcohol at the art galleries came to the attention of the ABC board due to reports of a police assault that involved alcohol, but only certain galleries have had any alcohol-related problems.

Kathleen Ewing, executive director of the Art Dealers Association of Greater Washington, told the board that galleries serve beer and wine only on a complimentary basis and that it adds to the ambiance of the galleries and their opening events.

"Hospitality is a significant part of the ambiance of an art gallery," she said. "The occasional offering of a glass of wine is consistent with this effort."

According to the Art Dealers Association, the purpose of openings in the art galleries is to celebrate the work of the artists, with the focus on the exhibition as a ceremonial event. Art Dealers Association representatives said beer and wine are really insignificant to the event and have rarely caused issues for the galleries.

"My gallery is a friendly and inclusive place," said Alla Rogers, president of the Art Dealers Association. "Never have I had to deal with an intoxicated guest. Any unseemly behavior is not allowed."

The alcoholic beverage statutes involve not only the selling of alcohol, but also the consumption and service of it. An issue that the board had with the offering of alcohol was that anyone in the gallery had access to it, particularly college students who are younger than 21. Board Chairman Woodson said that since the art galleries do not ask to see identification proving that visitors are 21 or older, students who are 19 or 20 could possibly consume the beer and wine because there is no other way to determine that they are not over the legal drinking age.

Rogers asserted that most people who attend the gallery openings are adults, and it is normally the same group of people that visit on a regular basis.

"We get to know our public quite well," she said. "I know that when I serve wine, I am 100 percent sure that I know I am not serving a minor."

ABC board members also asked whether the consumption of alcohol facilitates the selling of artwork, especially during the opening of an exhibit.

"Rarely is something bought during opening night. I would be very surprised if a piece is sold," Rogers said.

Copyright 2002, The Common Denominator