Arts Agenda
>> Saturday, the Bobby Fisher Memorial Building, opens Girlish Ways: The Next Generation of Female Artists, a selection of twelve artists under the age of 35 who investigate how contemporary lifestyles affect and re-define the women of this generation. The exhibit explores youthful and mature concerns of the women involved, as well as how these women respond to their changing environments. See local graduates from American University, the Corcoran, and Towson graduate Lauren Bender, who will perform opening night. Sponsored by ArtCadeForum.com and the Pink Line Project, this is the last exhibit in the building. Opening reception from 7 to 10 p.m.
>> Friday, Civilian Art Projects opens two group shows focused on screen printing. Prints found in Screams & Screens will show vibrant colors and bold contrasts with multiple layers of patterns and screens intending to "pop" and "scream" at you. Process & Alchemy: New Directions and Alternative Processes in Screen-printing will show work from the Hand Print Workshop International based in Alexandria, VA. Look for pieces that experiment with different water based screen printing. Opening reception is from 5 to 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. with an after party at Comet from 10 until close.
>> Looking for more of that handmade feel? To celebrate its 5th year, Crafty Bastards opens a second show at Pyramid Atlantic Art Center in Silver Spring this Saturday. In addition to the regularly scheduled show in September, this Crafty Bastards will have a focus on learning, an emphasis on craft workshops, and highlight up-and-coming artists. Expect over 70 vendors, many bands and workshops that include silk screening and bookmaking. Have old, unwanted craft supplies? Bring them to the Supply Swap to trade. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Free.
>> Irvine Contemporary hosts another photography exhibit with Gina Brocker's new and recent photographs. The main subjects of Brocker's work are the children of the Donovan family. The family is of a little-known and seldom-documented subculture, the Irish Travelers, a gypsy society now in transition to becoming settled in government-sponsored housing and development communities. See Brocker's intimate photographs Friday from 6 - 8 p.m. Book signing from 3 - 4 p.m. with an artist's talk and discussion starting at 5 p.m.
>> Transformer presents the fifth installment of The Exercises, a unique peer and mentorship program for emerging artists, in E5: Rangefinder. Featuring new works by Kristina Bilonick, Michael Matason, Jillian Pichocki, and Bryan Whitson, E5: Rangefinder presents works created through a variety of photographic processes including screen printing, light painting, multiple exposure Polaroid's, and photographic renderings, which these artists developed over a several month process of peer critique and mentorship organized by Transformer and guest curator Lisa McCarty. Artist talk at 4 p.m. with an opening reception to follow from 5 - 7 p.m. Saturday.
>> VSA arts hosts the opening reception for Derivative Composition tonight, from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Kennedy Center’s Terrace Gallery. A juried exhibition of artists with disabilities, the exhibit highlights the synergy among the artistic disciplines, showcasing art that is inspired by the aesthetics of music, theater, and dance. Visit with some of the artists and see Mark Wittig perform “To Have Straights”, based on his installation of the same title, and find out what it means for Christopher K. Morgan to awaken the sculpture “Skin” by Emily Eifler.
Art Notes:
- Gallery plan b opens two shows Friday. Sleeping Dogs Lie, by artist Andrew Criss and Silhouettes of Steel by Paula Amt. 6 to 8 p.m.
- Artful Gallery's New Orleans: Spirit a' Risen will host a closing reception tonight from 6 to 9 p.m. Cajun-inspired food and drink will be available for all to savor.
- The National Museum of Women in the Arts opens Modern Love: Gifts to the Collection from Heather and Tony Podesta and Something Pertaining to God: The Patchwork Art of Rosie Lee Tompkins, Friday.
- Don't forget the Folklife Festival runs through this weekend. Check out our picks for Bhutan, NASA and Texas.
Images of work by Amber Hawk Swanson (top) and Gina Brocker (right) courtesy of ArtCadeForum.com and Irvine Contemporary, respectively.