Arts Agenda
Michael Scoggins' Heller, June 26, 2008. Copyright the artist; image courtesy Project 4 Gallery. |
Some hometown art pride was announced today: the Lunder Conservation Center, run by the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the National Portrait Gallery, just received the biennial Keck Award from the International Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works. The award goes to an "individual or group who has contributed most toward promoting public understanding and appreciation of the accomplishments of the conservation profession." Unlike any other museum, the Lunder Conservation Center has floor to ceiling glass walls that allow the public to get a first hand view at the conservation techniques used by the museum. The center is available for viewing during regular hours at the Reynolds Center.
>> The Washington International Arts Expo is holding its second annual event at the Convention Center this weekend. From Friday through Sunday, browse through the many artists booths, take in a workshop, or attend some of the after-hours parties. The Washington Project for the Arts and Eighty-Eight DC will host an art party Saturday at 9 p.m. ($15). Founded by local artist and activist Lisa Jones, the Expo strives to be a platform for talented artists to jump off from, while contributing back to the community -- 15 percent of the proceeds go to Life Pieces to Masterpieces. See the entire calendar of events here.
>> Project 4 opens a new show with the works of Michael Scoggins. The NYC based artist takes on D.C. issues, using purposeful childlike drawings to embrace universal feelings and directness. See Friday Night Gun Fight during the opening reception on Saturday, 6 to 9 p.m.
>> Hemphill is embracing the open retail opportunities in D.C. by working with Taurus Development to host art shows in one of their spaces. Located at 1341 H Street NE, they'll open a show by John Watson, Better now than they once was, with a reception on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. The temporary gallery will be open Saturdays from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. through November 1.
>> The Nevin Kelly Gallery opens Under Surveillance: The Diminishing Zone of Personal Privacy tonight. If you're not already all riled up about the state of our civil liberties these days, this group show of local artists should get you going. See work by Sondra N. Arkin, Scott G. Brooks, Anna U. Davis, Ellyn Weiss, Tim Tate and more at the reception, 6 to 8 p.m.
>> Hillyer Art Space hosts its monthly HOME open mic night this Friday from 7 to 9 p.m. This month its hosted by Fred Joiner, curator and host of the American Poetry Museum's Intersections at the Honfleur Gallery and "poet in residence" at the Shirlington Busboys and Poets, and will feature Drew Anderson, popular spoken word poet, hip hop artist, and screenwriter. Get there at 6 p.m. if you'd like to sign-up to perform. $5 at the door.
>> You might have noticed the sidewalks getting a little more colorful over the past week. A global art project for kids called Chalk4Peace asks youngsters to write messages for peace in their neighborhoods. If you see anything extra special, snap a picture and put it in the DCist Flickr pool.
>> The National Endowment of the Arts holds is annual concert this Friday at the Strathmore to celebrate the National Heritage Fellowship winners, "the nation's highest honor for folk and traditional artists." The event will include short performances, visual art displays, and artist interviews. 7:30 p.m., Free.
>> We wrote about the FotoWeek DC festival and contest a few months ago, and the deadline for submissions is finally drawing near. We know how many talented photographers there are out there, so click over to their web site and get your entries in by September 22.
>> The Washington School of Photography has loads of goodies up for their annual auction, from photography gear to signed sports jerseys. Bid online here.