I don't know if this helps but I use DP in the way you suggested, but I do create one article per gallery. Then I create a menu item that calls up the articles in category blog format. On the side bar of my gallery page I have a latest items module showing all article titles from that category so I have an automated way to add to that module (it does it dynamically) and I can choose the gallery to view from that module. Meanwhile, the category blog option shows the most recent gallery.
Hope this helps?
Chris