>> This week's arts pick goes to the Curator's Office, who will be hosting performance artist Kathryn Cornelius in her first private gallery solo show, Common Ground. Cornelius, who has taken her wry performances around the world, will display two videos and two photograph series that show her searching for a kind of inner spirituality in an overconnected, digital world. Jeffry Cudlin writes in the exhibit brochure, "In these pieces, Cornelius appears silent, collected - ready, perhaps, to disappear from the world altogether." Catch her before she goes; the opening reception is Saturday from 6 to 8 p.m.

>> The galleries always make it easy for you: after you've seen Cornelius' show, stick around the 1515 14th Street building to check out the other three galleries. Hemphill Fine Arts opens two shows; James Huckenpahler's Mindless Pleasures uses practical 3D design software to make fantastical abstract images that might be the result of a skilled architect's daydreams. David Bryne follows a similar path, but with chairs, in Furnishing the Self – Upholstering the Soul. Linn Meyer's presents her beautiful graph-like drawings at G Fine Art; and you might want to congratulate both gallery and artist, as the Hirshhorn recently acquired works by Meyers, as well as G Fine represented artists iona rozeal brown and Ian Whitmore. The Adamson Gallery will also be open Saturday night, with its extended showing of Chuck Close's New Work. Receptions are 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

>> Renowned artist William T. Wiley, whose works you may have seen in the permanent collections of SAAM, the NGA, the Corcoran, and the Hirshhorn, makes his well deserved tenth appearance at the Marsha Mateyka Gallery this weekend with Choosing Things Over Time: New Work. See his clever and engaging social and political commentary at the opening reception Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.

>> Civilian Art Projects opens a new group show this weekend called Waves. The theme permeates the works of the five artists, including Peter Garfield's intense photographs of ocean waves and Michele Kong's graceful glass sculptures. Check them out at the opening reception on Friday, 7 to 9 p.m.

>> We're not surprised at all to see 2007 DCist Exposed photographer Erin Antognoli put up her first solo gallery show. See her gorgeous Holga work at the Dumbarton Concert Gallery; opening reception this Saturday, 6:30 to 8 p.m.

Art Notes:

• Mid City Artists will hold their Fall Open Studios event this weekend from 12 to 5 p.m. both days. Download the map of participating studios here.


• The Hillyer Art Space will have a reception for Kari Minnick and her glass "collages" on Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.


• If you're out near Reston, Va., stop by the reception for the League of Reston Artists annual juried show, Art*De*Fined, from 5 to 7 p.m. tonight; more info here.


• 2007 DCist Exposed photographer Pamela Viola has a new monthly Print for the Cure for sale on her blog.


• Reader Mike Licht tipped us off to a mystery to be revealed this Friday.