Crafty Bastards participants may have a higher calling now. The Smithsonian American Art Museum has just announced the creation of a Curator of Craft position, after an $800,000 donation was made by Lloyd Herman, founder of the Renwick Gallery. Other patrons inspired by the gift have ponied up more funds to support the new role, amounting to $1.2 million so far. Herman encouraged, "Whatever their means, I hope that artists, collectors and all others who treasure American creativity in glass, clay, wood, fibers and metals will help me establish a permanently endowed curatorial position for craft at the Smithsonian American Art Museum."

>> Artist Tai Hwa Goh brings printmaking to a higher level, using multiple layers to create depth and intricate designs on delicate paper, pictured above. See her beautiful creations at Flashpoint during the opening reception tonight, 6 to 8 p.m.

>> An exhibition of painter Martha Zuik’s work opens on Saturday at Bethesda’s Heineman Myers gallery. One of Argentina's most successful contemporary artists, Zuik was the only female member of the Fantasmagie arts consortium, which also boasts membership from Picasso and Magritte. Her colorful abstract oils are at times reminiscent of both landscape and figure. A reception with the artist will be held from 6 to 9 p.m., and will include Argentine food and drinks.

>> Stop by the art party at the Hillyer Art Space this Friday, featuring DJs Will Eastman and Gavin Holland, while Kylos brings you some live video art. Tickets can be purchased in advance for $10 (email katherinep[at]artsandartists.org), with the money going to support the gallery's Local Artist Series. While you're there, enjoy the ongoing show by Anna U. Davis. 7 to 11 p.m.

>> Oops! We missed the opening of a couple good shows last weekend. Kevin Kepple has new works at Addison/Ripley Fine Art, featuring his unique glue and ink abstract style, while the DCAC has photographs by Anne Benolken, pictured left, in The Apotheosis of Kali, the narrative of a goddess contemplating the world. Check them both out during regular gallery hours.

>> Anyone fascinated by the tricky act of art thievery should get over to the Reynolds Center tonight to hear Bonnie Magness-Gardiner, manager of the Art Theft Program for the FBI, talk about famous cases and how the Feds track down the culprits. McEvoy Auditorium, 6:30 p.m. Free.

>> Studio Gallery has two events this weekend. Tonight at 7:30 p.m. at Artomatic, they've assembled a team of artists, lawyers, and collectors to discuss that elusive topic, pricing art. Then on Saturday, head over to their gallery for the opening reception for new paintings by Judy Goodkind, 4 to 6 p.m.

>> The people behind the one of the best Capital Fringe plays last year have brought us another helping, this time with The Tree Project, which "follows death through life's memories." A visual art installation accompanies the performance, with work from many local artists like Sean Hennessy, Erin Antognoli, and Kristina Bilonick. Performances started last night and run through June 7, $5. See their web site for performance time information.

>> At Artomatic this weekend, head to the Education Room for the following programs; unless noted, the events are free. Tonight from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., three lawyers specializing in copyright and intellectual property law will be hosting a discussion of Artful Law: The Law of Art. On Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., the House of Artistry’s Jodi Walsh will be explaining her 12 STEP Program, designed to help artists kick the starving stereotype. Walsh states, “You will walk away with a clear understanding of how and where to present your artwork for sale to the public and take control of your artistic career.” This event costs $130 and includes a CD of the program. Also on Saturday, from 5:30 to 7 p.m., commercial photographer Weatherly Hulsey will be giving a 45 minute presentation with 15 minutes of Q&A and critique on manual photographic techniques. If you want even more photo instruction, stay from 7 to 9 p.m. for a Photography 101 Workshop­­, which will focus on flash and lighting principles, including the “Rule of 16, setting flash exposure, application of the inverse square law, the difference between ambient and directional light, and how to use reflectors, diffusers, and umbrellas.” On Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m., the photo education opportunities continue with a $20 Introduction to Wet-Plate Collodion Workshop, in which Scott Davis will discuss and demonstrate wet-plate images, including coating, exposure, and processing. See the event calendar for all the goings on.

Art Notes:

• Del Ray Artisans features the Thesis work of the Virginia Commonwealth University with an opening this Friday, 7 to 10 p.m.
• Help out the relief efforts in Myanmar tonight at Gallery Plan B, which is having a silent auction from 6 to 7:30 p.m. (gallery is open until 9 p.m.).
• Head to SAAM for a Sumi-e ink workshop on Saturday, 1 to 4 p.m. Free, but must register by emailing saamprograms [a] si.edu by 5 p.m. on Friday.
• For a different kind of artform, check out A Man Named Pearl at Avalon Theater, about a topiary artist who became one of the biggest names in the industry, though the documentary is about a lot more than cutting trees. Friday's 8:30 p.m. showing will be followed by a panel discussion ($10), including the Washington Gardener magazine editor and other local bloggers and gardeners.
• The National Building Museum will be giving special tours of its facilities over Memorial Day Weekend -- its home is the former U.S. Pension Building, designed with visiting soldiers in mind.

Lynne Venart contributed

Images of works by Tai Hwa Goh (top) and Anne Benolken (left) courtesy Flashpoint and DCAC, respectively