‘Tis the season for D.C.’s galleries to hold their annual group shows, hoping to entice holiday shoppers with a variety of artwork at affordable prices. Until December 30, U Street’s Nevin Kelly Gallery is hosting its third annual Attainable Art exhibit, with all work priced under $1500, and many pieces in the $200-600 range. Even if you don’t have many art lovers in your shopping queue this year, group exhibits like this one give visitors the opportunity to become familiar with the varied works of the gallery’s represented artists and discover some of their newest finds. In addition to the over thirty hung and framed works, Nevin Kelly also displays matted work in sleeves in the back room. Sold without frames, these pieces provide an even more affordable option for shoppers.

Although frequent gallery visitors may be largely familiar with the work on display, the vast quantity of work is sure to hold a few surprises for all. One such surprise is in the standout work of Laurel Hausler. If you missed this self-taught artist’s work in the gallery’s March 2007 Women’s Work, head to Nevin Kelly this month to check out the approximately ten pieces she has on display. Hausler’s mixed media paintings and drawings depict intriguingly complex scenes — however the complexity is not based on intricateness of form but on subtlety and introspection. Her use of media is a breath of fresh air, with the combination of collage, paint and line reflecting a certain naiveté in its application.

In the 15x14’ Apothecary (Leeches), pictured above, the artist fills the background with old newspaper clippings of pharmaceutical ads and photographs of apothecary bottles. The middle ground features an outlined drawing of a woman with the face drawn heavily in ink, as if the artist kept trying to create the character’s perfect features without having the ability to erase her mistakes. The foreground of the piece adds a beautiful layer of color, painted on top of the plexiglass to form the white and black of the woman’s clothing as well as a red curtain containing the scene.

Drawn in a similarly rough style are Hausler’s Catherine, a mere 7x5’ piece, and Weeds (pictured left), a 16x20’ gouache and ink work, both of which are found at the front of the gallery. Weeds appears particularly childlike, while Catherine has the style of a quick illustration. The apparent quickness of execution, combined with a simple color palette, gives each work the refreshing smile of sincerity. Hausler’s drawings reflect a moment in time, seen through the innocent eyes of the girls featured in each piece.

Work by the artists featured in Attainable Art are available year-round at the Nevin Kelly Gallery, but now is your chance to see them all at once. Other noteworthy artwork includes that of Mary Chiaramonte and Molly Brose, who were featured alongside Hausler in Women’s Work, and Ming Yi Sung, whose knitted creatures of humans and monkeys are sure to shock.

Images of Laurel Hausler’s Apothecary (Leeches) and Weeds courtesy of the artist.

Attainable Art will be at Nevin Kelly Gallery through December 30. The gallery is located at 1517 U Street, NW and is open Wednesday, 12 to 6 p.m., Thursday through Saturday 12 to 8 p.m., and Sunday, 12 to 6 p.m.