Arts Agenda
Work by Graham Caldwell, image courtesy G Fine Art.
>> If you got locked out of Emerge Exposed, have no fear, Transformer Gallery has another fantastic panel discussion going on next Tuesday. Part of their Summer Camp programming, What We Want Is Free: An Exploration of the Field of Non-profit Visual Arts Organizations should be chock full of useful info for anyone interested in small budget and alternative art programming. At the Goethe-Institut, 6:30 to 8 p.m., free.
>> The preview for the always anticipated Washington Project for the Arts Annual Art Auction is tonight. You had to have RSVP'd by Monday, but if you really want to go it's worth giving them a call. (Update: They still have room; see Adam's comment below.) See the available art, hear curator talks, and see Jack Rasmussen, Director and Curator of American University's Katzen Art Museum, receive the Alice Denney Award for Contemporary Art. You can still get tickets for the auction on March 7.
>> Speaking of the WPA, they announced their new Executive Director this week, Lisa J. Gold. Gold has a long career supporting the arts in New York City, most recently as Public Relations and Marketing Director at The Drawing Center. She takes over for Kim Ward, who ran the WPA for the last five years, including during their split from the Corcoran. Read more about the transition here.
>> Melissa Ichiuji is back at Irvine Contemporary this weekend, with her uncomfortably thought-provoking and sometimes clever dolls in Lesser Madonnas. Reception Saturday, 6 to 8 p.m. A few blocks down 14th Street NW, see Graham Caldwell's gorgeous, intricate glassworks in Light Field View at G Fine Art, also Saturday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
>> There are a bunch of new museum exhibitions opening this week. Today the major retrospective of Louise Bourgeois opens at the Hirshhorn Museum and Sculpture Garden. See 120 of her works, including the massive Crouching Spider, which greets you outside the entrance. We've already taken a peek at the exhibit and will have more for you later today.
>> Meanwhile, The Phillips Collection opened Morandi: Master of Modern Still Life earlier this week. The retrospective of the Italian painter delves into his mastery and contributions to this medium, said best in their press release, "This exhibition provides a rare opportunity to encounter afresh the intimate and unadorned compositions of this great modern master."
>> We'll try not to cringe a little at the timing of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's new exhibit, 1934: A New Deal for Artists, featuring Great Depression era work created through the federal Public Works of Art Program. Exhibit opens tomorrow.
>> Alliance Française has partnered with the Honfleur Gallery to present an exhibition of Paris-based artists in Roast Beef, Texas Travels, and Accidental Exposures. See the work of the three featured artists at the reception tomorrow at 6:30 p.m.
>> Want to meet the next generation of artists? Maybe even acquire a piece before it gets snapped up by a gallery and goes for big bucks? Head to George Washington University's MFA open studios this Saturday from 1 to 4 p.m. for a meet and greet and tour. Smith Hall of Art, 801 22nd Street NW (2nd, 4th and 5th floor studios).
Art Notes:
- Hillyer closes their two exhibits, Tools for Change and Spirit on Friday with an "Old Time Jam" featuring a fiddle, banjo and guitar from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. $6.
- At the Greater Reston Art Center see work by high school students for their annual Youth Art Month. Opening reception Friday, 6 to 8 p.m.
It's the two year anniversary of X at BeBar this Saturday. Check out art, music, and performances (featuring a slew of artists like Kristina Bilonick and Jacqueline Ionita) from 7 to 11 p.m. $8, or wear a wig for reduced admission.(Oops, this was last weekend, sorry!)