Arts Agenda: Holiday Market Edition
Welcome to December and all the holiday shopping opportunities that come with it. First we have a comprehensive list of local holiday art markets, then a handful of openings (some of the last we'll see before 2010). If we left out a crucial gift-buying opportunity, let us know in the comments.
Holiday Art Markets
>> The popular Downtown Holiday Market opens this Friday and runs everyday, 12 to 8 p.m., through December 23 at 8th and F Streets NW (right outside the Smithsonian American Art Museum and National Portrait Gallery). See their website for the line-up of artists, crafters, and tasty-treat-makers.
>> Neighbors’ Consejo will have a Cheap Art Sale with work from locals in all media, under $100, this Saturday, 1 to 5 p.m. at La Casa. The nonprofit provides bilingual services to homeless, addicted and low-income residents.
>> Support Art Enables, which encourages people with developmental and/or mental disabilities to communicate through art, by purchasing some "Outsider Art Inside the Beltway" this Saturday, 3 to 5 p.m.
>> Washington Project for the Arts opens their holiday gift shop, Icebox, at their headquarters this Friday, with arts and other items by WPA artists. They'll hold opening night hours, 6 to 8 p.m., then will be open Monday through Friday, 12 to 5 p.m., through December 23.
>> Head to downtown Silver Spring this Saturday for a combo indie craft fair and farmer's market. Handmade Mart and FRESHFARM Market should have just about everything you need to get your holiday shopping finished. 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
>> If you prefer the Green line to the Red, head to the Art & Craft Fair at the Greenbelt Festival of Lights. Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
>> Thirty-five artists will sell their work in the National Museum of the American Indian's Native Art Market this Saturday and Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
>> Get Asian-inspired, handmade gifts at the Freer Gallery's Attic Sale, everyday in the Freer conference room, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and at the Tibetan Artisans Trunk Show this Friday through Sunday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. in the Sackler Gallery Shop.
>> The Torpedo Factory has their Holiday Open House tomorrow night, 6 to 9 p.m. Enjoy music and beverages while perusing their open studios filled with work for sale, from the easily affordable to more investment type artworks. Visitor's are also invited to make a food donation benefiting Carpenter's Shelter.
>> The Art League will have their annual pottery and jewelry exhibits and sales this weekend; see links for hours.
>> Studio 4903 has their Holiday Show this Saturday and Sunday, 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., featuring fine art, jewelry and accessories.
>> DEKKA will have a holiday party and trunk sale this Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.; shop their clearance selection with some champagne and sweets. They'll also be having an art opening on Saturday from 5 to 8 p.m. for multimedia artist Eto Otitigbe.
>> And, finally, the Del Ray Artisans have their 14th annual holiday market from Friday through Sunday. See website for hours.
Update: Holy cow! I thought there were a lot of markets to begin with, but readers have been emailing me about many more. Please skip down to the comments section for info on additional holiday markets, or leave your own info if you know of another.
Opening Receptions
>> In Penn Quarter, visit Reyes + Davis for an excellent drawing exhibition featuring Linn Meyers and Kate McGraw, among others. Opening Friday, 6:30 to 9 p.m.
>> The Smith Farm Healing Arts Gallery opens Ink-N-Print 09 on Friday. Curated by Helen Frederick, founder of Pyramid Atlantic, the show features a slew of talented local print artists. Even better, the prints are (as they usually are) quite affordable, so stop by between 6 and 8 p.m. and consider picking one up.
>> Evolve Urban Arts Project is a relatively new gallery over in the Atlas District. Stop by to see it this Saturday during the opening of popular local painter Dana Ellyn's exhibit, Divinely Irreverant. 4 to 7 p.m.
>> This month's Phillips After 5 features discounted museum shop prices, a tasty holiday treats buffet, wine tasting, a jazz pianist, lectures on Czech Avant-Garde Photography (6:30 p.m.) or Man Ray and Fashion (6 or 7 p.m.), and a special project with the Pink Line Project in the Café featuring DJs "remixing the definition of art."
>> Japan through Our Eyes features photographs from participants in the Japanese Exchange and Teaching program. Head to the Japanese Information and Cultural Center on Thursday for a lecture and opening reception, 6:30 p.m.
>> Catch some openings during Dupont First Friday. Studio Gallery opens a group exhibit, Call and Response, featuring former DCist Exposed winner Angela Kleis (6 to 8 p.m.); while Hillyer opens two exhibits and will have a raffle to support their Buy the Building fund.
>> Gallery Plan B features iconic New York images by Gordon Binder in their year end group show; opening reception is Saturday, 6 to 8 p.m.
>> Stop by Tryst for a coffee and opening reception for Washington Studio School's second annual faculty and student exhibition. Thursday, 7 to 9 p.m.
>> See photographer Rachel Eisley's first solo exhibit at Foxhall Gallery in Recent/Past - Near/Far, featuring new images from around the world paired with her older photographs from around Washington, D.C. Friday, 6 to 9 p.m.
Art Notes:
- Get your tickets now for next Wednesday's evening with Project Runway's Nick Verreos at the Corcoran; a reception follows the lecture. 7 p.m., $20.
- Watch some live ice sculpting as part of Bethesda's Winter Wonderland this Saturday at 1 p.m.
- As we mentioned earlier, the exhibit ADS vs. AIDS opened at Long View Gallery on Tuesday. See the show featuring propaganda to battle the spread of HIV/AIDS during their regular hours.
- See A Choreography Showcase by Joy of Motion Dance Center this Saturday at 8 p.m.
- Explore the works of one of the most influential anime artists during Tezuka Family Weekend at the Freer and Sackler Galleries. Watch films and performances and participate in workshops; see the entire schedule here.
- Pyramid Atlantic will have a closing reception for their Fotoweek exhibit on Saturday at 6:30 p.m. along with the screening of two new digital films by Chris Lynn. They'll also be open starting noon to accompany the nearby Silver Spring holiday festival (mentioned above), with ornament-making activities, music and more.