Arts Agenda
Paris Mavroidis, Divers, 2009, digital video, still; courtesy Irvine Contemporary.
>> Irvine Contemporary opens its 2009-2010 season with the annual new grad show, Introductions5. Not as many locals this time, but check out these eight newly minted MFAs to see the up-and-comers (and pick up some of their work before it's priced all to heck). Reception Saturday 6 to 8 p.m., or stop by an hour early to hear a discussion with the artists.
>> The Pyramid Atlantic Community Art Store has moved to a new Silver Spring home and will celebrate with a grand opening on Saturday, 12 to 8 p.m., with live music and lots of art. Visit their revamped web site for location and regular store hours.
>> The Phillips Collection is doing five consecutive Thursdays of Phillips After 5 events. Tonight, see a performance of Mortified at 6:30 p.m., featuring adults who relive their troubled childhoods and attempt to find some solace in the act. You'll also find live music, gallery talks, wine and snacks, and of course, all the art in the museum, all for the price of admission.
>> G Fine Art next door may be closing, but you can still catch Curator's Office in the 1515 14th Street NW building with an opening Saturday. Summer Dock sounds like a deliciously refreshing theme, though it'll probably be more interesting to see how they fit works by 13 artists in that micro-gallery. 6:30 to 8 p.m.
>> Hello August! It's First Friday in Dupont, so catch openings all around the neighborhood, including Hillyer, Studio Gallery, and the Washington Printmakers Gallery.
>> The non-profit WVSA ARTiculate Gallery opens Infinite Possibilities, The Choice is Yours tonight from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Local youth were mentored at the gallery, and this exhibit, with over 100 pieces and live performances, is the result of their collaboration.
>> There are always tons of events going on at the Renwick Gallery. Tonight hear Paul Messier talk about Man Ray's techniques and materials at 6 p.m. CORRECTION: Tonight’s 6 p.m. talk with Paul Messier is actually at the Reynold's Center's branch at the National Portrait Gallery at 8th and F Streets NW, not at the Renwick. Tomorrow, the huge exhibit Staged Stories: Renwick Craft Invitational 2009 opens, and at noon you can listen to featured artist Mark Newport talk about -- what else -- knitting oversized superhero costumes! On Saturday, join Newport again for Family Day with face-painting, finger-knitting lessons, a screening of the 1943 Batman and more, 1 to 4 p.m. In the adjoining National Portrait Gallery, see the face of the man who helped Americans declare independence in One Life: Thomas Paine, The Radical Founding Father, which opens Friday. Also be sure to taken in one of the NPG's Portraits Alive! events -- theatrical "performance tours" by kids from the Teen Ambassadors program.
>> The Athenaeum Gallery opens Screenprinting Today: A Regional Survey of Contemporary Screen Prints & Related Works, featuring works by William Christenberry, Elizabeth Klimek, Renee Stout, Noelle Tan and more. Sunday, 4 p.m.
Art Notes:
- Blueberry Art Gallery in Del Ray will have a jewelry show and wine tasting on Sunday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Bring a used DVD before 2 p.m. to donate to the local library and be entered in a raffle for $200 worth of custom jewelry.
- Join L'Enfant Moderne for their weekly Art in the Alley tonight from 6 to 9 p.m.
- Don't forget the Corcoran is free on summer Saturdays.
- Art Enables will have a 50% off all inventory sale on Saturday from 3 to 5 p.m.
- The Del Ray Artisans will open Illuminations, a mixed media show, on Friday from 7 to 9 p.m.
- The Ballston monthly summer art market is this Saturday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., with live music, artist demos and more.