Eight critics entered the ring on Saturday night at Arlington Arts Center, and only one exited. Okay, so AAC's "Critique the Critics" fundraiser was more of a friendly competition than bloodsport, but the evening didn't end without some folks getting their hands dirty. It's just that it happened to be with finger paints. more ›

In an interview published in Whole Earth Review back in the summer of 1989, acclaimed science fiction and cyberpunk author William Gibson (who we caught up with last week during his U.S. book tour) commented regarding his work: "The world we live in is so hopelessly weird and complex that in order to come to terms with it, you need the tools that science fiction develops." Or, often enough, it is visual art that frames our complexities and provides the tools, as with the work in Fall Solos 2010, on display at the Arlington Art Center through November 7. more ›

Written by DCist contributor Matt Smith While not every curator is an artist, every artist is a curator, or at least every artist wishes she were one, if only briefly. Art Scouts," at the Arlington Arts Center through August 21, engages six highly accomplished artists with local ties (Zoe Charlton, Mary Early, J.J. McCracken, Maggie Michael, Jefferson Pinder, and Kerry Skarbakka) and asks them to select works by other artists who they feel inform their own art-making process. The artists-as-curators represent six distinct disciplines and their selections are at times a neat reflection of the media in which they work, and at other times a more specific sample of styles similar to their own. The resulting show is an invigorating survey of 28 artists that makes excellent use of the extensive exhibition space at the AAC, including seven of the nine galleries across two stories. more ›

This week, some of the D.C. area’s best nonprofit and alternative art spaces push their boundaries in ways that commercial spaces often don’t. Get out your thinking caps and your love for interesting discussion, and mark these dates, times and locations in that day planner of yours. more ›

Whether you’re an art school grad looking to get back into figure drawing, a practicing artist needing reference for your next figure-based series, or you just want to do some sketching, open figure drawing sessions are a low cost, low commitment option for artmaking. more ›

The big news this week came on Tuesday, as the Washington Project for the Arts announced it was officially splitting from the Corcoran Gallery of Art at the end of 2007. The success of the partnership has boosted the WPA to a place where they can function solo once more, and are currently setting up shop in Dupont Circle. The Post has an excellent summary of WPA\C's history. >> The Arlington Arts Center is our... more ›

THURSDAY: >> Flashpoint puts a little twist on the gallery show with Anonymous III by WPA\C. The show will feature 100 works by established and emerging artists from the D.C. area, but every piece will remain anonymous until it's purchased by an art lover who will have to appreciate quality over a name brand. The gallery will hold a reception this evening to scope out the goods, but you won't be able to purchase anything... more ›

After the whirlwind of April arts events, May looks to be a little quieter, perhaps even serene at times. Though if you're looking for a party, we've got the info for this week's Artomatic events, which is only just past its halfway point. >> Ever dream of being one of those madly rich people with original Van Goghs or Kandinskys in your climate controlled, wood paneled library (in the east wing)? Bring your envious eyes... more ›

Driving by Arlington Arts Center, it’s easy to think they have succumbed to a unique prank. Approximately 100 poles are scattered across the front lawn, stuck in the ground like plastic forks, a toy rests atop each pole. This piece, Cory Wagner’s Give/Take, engages the audience with items for trade. Some visitors have simply taken. Others have given a plastic spoon, a watered down ounce of milkshake, two weather-soiled cigarettes, two dandelions, two cents, and handfuls of crayons in return. From the plaque marking the object, this seems to be precisely what Wagner has in mind. more ›

Ah, a town bursting at the seams with art -- just as it should be. The weekend approaches us with no excuse to stay home; in fact, you might want to finally figure out that "be in two places at the same time" trick you've been meaning to master. Take a deep breath: Go. more ›

>> Welcome to March and another First Friday in Dupont Circle from 6 to 8 p.m. Find the gallery locations here. >> We've all got our old movie favorites. If you pop in Gone with the Wind everytime you're home sick, or channel surf for old episodes of I Dream of Jeanie on a Sunday afternoon, you're just the person Mark Bennett is drawing for. His India ink draftings of the fictional homes used in... more ›

>>Does This Mean Spring Will Be Here Soon? Please?: If you find yourself in Virginia instead of Maryland, begin your weekend with an opening reception for Equinox at the Arlington Arts Center. This "juried all media exhibition" will feature twenty-two regional artists who work in, well, all media. The pieces fit into three categories: manipulated materials, abstraction and the figure. Stop by tomorrow between 6 and 9 p.m. for the reception. more ›

>> Where, oh where, to get your art and beer this week? There may not be many openings around town, but all you need is one big one, and Dr. Dremo's is command central for the weekend's launch activities. More than an art show, the Counter Culture Festival has music, dancing, and food to keep your creative side abuzz all evening. The festival is organized by DC Conspiracy, a group of comic creators, artists and... more ›

The weather had better start behaving normally: we want a snow day! Now that there is a reason to be inside again, here are some places with interesting things lying around or hanging from the walls. The new season has officially begun. Make sure to check the gallery's Web site for specific hours before visiting. THURSDAY: >> Baltimore artist Cara Ober will open a show of new work, Prayers and Joking, at Flashpoint (916 G... more ›

It's that time of the year again, when people make resolutions they do not plan on keeping. Join DCist in resolving to see more art in 2007, but let's mean it. You could get started this week. >> Studio Gallery will have an invitational show featuring artists from the greater D.C. metropolitan area (January 3 to 28). This will include Suzanne Quinlan, whose work is shown at right. Open Wednesdays to Sundays, 2108 R St.... more ›

Thursday: >>We haven't heard the details of what's going on at Warehouse tonight, but you can stop by for the first evening of Freaky Art, in which "Artists Dana Ellyn and Russell U Richards set your funny bone for laughter and pain." The last day of Exchange, Baltimore @ D.C. is this Saturday, so you get a two-fer. Warehouse is open tonight from 5 to 10 p.m. Friday: >>It's Second Friday, so make your way... more ›

Fall is the season of festivals, so I hope you've stretched properly over the last few weeks, because this weekend is chock full of 'em. more ›

Clear your calendar because the gallery season opens with a bang this weekend. Ditch work early tomorrow, meet your cohorts for a quick drink (what, you don't pre-game for gallery receptions?) and head to the closest art house at six sharp. Beer and wine abound at these showpiece sacella, so bring a date (or find one there!) and up your culture quotient a few notches. If you've never been to a gallery before, well, why... more ›

>> The Corcoran is all abuzz these days with their newly-announced director and blockbuster shows featuring Andy Warhol and D.C.'s beloved Sam Gilliam. A new exhibition opens there on Saturday that focuses on the depiction of banjos in paintings, drawings and photographs, including the ca. 1895 photo of the woman at right. Interestingly, the exhibit is partially funded by the Steve Martin Charitable Foundation, according to the museum's website. (Who knew that Steve Martin was such a huge fan of the banjo??) more ›

Today will be mostly sunny with highs around 40. The National Weather Service has issued an advisory warning commuters to watch out for icy patches on roads as temperatures dipped below freezing last night. The photo is a fish at The Reef in Adams Morgan. more ›

Now that the lull of the holidays has passed, a new wave of openings and closings is shifting through the D.C. arts scene. more ›