Imagine a well-renowned D.C. glass artist, a gallery-experienced (and ColorField.remix contributor) abstract painter, and at least seven people we already know are pretty talented photographers putting their work next to mermaids made out of garage sale rejects and Tic Tac sculptures, and you'll start to get the essence of Artomatic. This chaotic jumble of an art fair where "Fire" gets its own category has infamously drawn ire from some of the city's fine art critics for the overstuffed effect that can cause good art to suffer behind the bad and the ugly. While in the other corner, D.C.'s art community cheerleaders continually applaud the sight of a show where anyone who can cough up the small entrance fee is given a soapbox to show the public what creative talent they might be hiding, and given credibility by the fine art gallery-sponsored artist in the identical space a few feet to their left.

Whatever definition you may have for "art," set it aside for a moment and take in Artomatic 2007, which celebrates with an opening this afternoon from 3 p.m. and on late through the evening. It's the only place you'll find confirmed talent like Laurel Lukaszewski (who we kind of adore) sitting next to, it's entirely possible, crap you'd regift in a heartbeat. It's this dichotomy and all-inclusiveness and terrible awesomeness that makes Artomatic an absolute must-see.

The show runs almost five weeks and is much more than a stand-alone exhibit. Check out their event calendar for a full listing that includes live music, film showings, workshops and theater. For the immersion, go tonight to see the Fire Performers, tons of bands and dancers, some street theater by Janan (who we saw earlier this week) and, oh yes, the 400 participating artists, almost all of whom are bound to be there showing off their work amid the cacophony.

Artomatic had a few false starts this time around. The typically every-other-year show hit a snag when they couldn't find a venue last year. Continued efforts by the event organizers started to pay off by winter, when a number of galleries offered to host works by selected participant artists in the spring. By February they were able to announce the large venue that would attempt to contain this raging art party, and cheers erupted throughout the city (while Blake Gopnik died just a little).

This year the show has taken over two floors of the former U.S. Patent and Trademark building at 2121 Crystal Drive, just a few short blocks from the Crystal City Metro. DCist never misses a good party (especially a FREE one), so we'll see you there tonight.