Arts Agenda

Photo of offerings left at Art Outlet's "Ofrenda" by spiggycat

>> If you're looking for Halloween themed art this weekend, the place to go every year is Art Outlet's Ofrenda -- Art for the Dead exhibit at the Torpedo Factory. They'll have an all-day celebration starting at 3 p.m. that includes works by over 40 artists, a parade, activities for kids, music and dance performances and even a masked ball. Check the web site for the schedule of events. Free, cash bar.

>> Irvine Contemporary opens a couple of interesting exhibits this Friday. Oliver Vernon is featured in his second solo exhibit; we were impressed with his large-scale, complicated paintings the first time around, so be sure to check out his new work in Double Down, including a mural behind the gallery. Irvine gets a head start on Fotoweek with Phil Nesmeth's Flight Patterns, which features photographs made directly onto glass plates, with no camera or glass. 6 to 8 p.m.

>> Head over to Art Klash at L'Enfant Moderne Gallery on Thursday for a "live art battle." Four artists will be given a theme at the start of the battle, and two local judges will declare a winner. Also catch DJs, spoken word performances and more. Sponsored by ReadysetDC and Purple Pork, $10, doors at 8 p.m.

>> Join the D.C. Commission on Arts and Humanities for their next Art Salon tomorrow night at the Corcoran. Recycled Meaning: Oil and Water features work by four local artists and two curators, with discussion on how their work interacts with the Corcoran's two ongoing exhibits by Edward Burtynsky (oil) and John Sargent (water). Enjoy music by Maureen Andary and Kev O. 6:30 to 9 p.m., RSVP to dccahevents[at]gmail.com.

>> Hamiltonian Gallery opens their venue to Bettmann Dances for a performance of The Fun House on Thursday night. A perfect Halloween week show, based on a Dylan Thomas work about grave robbers, catch one of two 30 minute performances at 7 ($5) or 8 p.m. ($20, includes post-performance reception with the artists). Contact jackie[at]hamitloniangallery.com or 202-332-1116 for tickets. Robert Bettmann has been busy; you can also check out his new art magazine Bourgeon here.

>> Nice! "Learn everything there is to know about pinball machines with collector and historian David Silverman, and test skills on his one-of-a-kind pinball machines." Saturday, 3 p.m. at the Smithsonian American Art Museum.

>> THEARC celebrates its Fourth Annual Arts Day this Saturday, with everything from musical and dance performances to face painting and a "musical petting zoo." 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

>> MuralsDC 2009 and Albus Cavus has been working hard on a new piece at Sherman Avenue and Barry Place NW, check out the photos on Flickr.

>> Tomorrow night see up-and-comer Patrick McDonough introduce his MFA thesis work, play.games.man at GWU in the Classroom 102 gallery. Reception Thursday, 5:30 to 8:30 p.m., with special hours with the artist this Saturday, 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.

>> The Latin American Youth Center is starting weekly Saturday activities for the next six weeks. For $5 per class, teens can learn screenprinting, darkroom photography, jewelry making, drumming or more; classes between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.

Art Notes:

FotoweekDC doesn't officially start until November 6, but join them for a "kick-off cocktail party" at Neiman Marcus tomorrow from 6 to 9 p.m. Listen to and see work by Pulitzer Prize winning photographer Lucian Perkins, get a makeover by PR Partners, and see a sneak preview of the Fotoweek exhibitions. $20.
The Phillips Collection's Thursday night gallery talk will be "Lost in Translation: Photography and the African Art Object," at 6 and 7 p.m., with museum admission.
The last day for Conner Contemporary's exhibit Conversations for Lyrical Abstractions is Saturday.
Enjoy an opening of paintings at the Orchard Art Gallery by Washington Studio School faculty member Maya Weber. Friday, 7 to 9 p.m.
See the new exhibit Sèvres Then and Now: Tradition and Innovation in Porcelain, 1750-2000 at the Hillwood Estate near Cleveland Park.
Hyattsville is opening a new weekly art market every Saturday from 9 to 2 p.m. through December 19. They still have room for vendors, so check out the website for more info.