Guess who's in the money? Montgomery County has got a lot of what it takes to get along. According to the Washington Post, MoCo will post a 7% hike in spending -- that would be $4 billion over 6 years -- to boost their physical campuses, from classrooms to clinics to boring offices to fiber optics to laser telescope command stations. Alright: That last one is made up. But so is this 4 billion dollars! As it happens, Montgomery County is still reporting an operating budget shortfall of some $600 million. Never you mind. These schools aren't going to build themselves. And these jobs aren't going to, uh, provide themselves. So MoCo is borrowing substantial coin to support new projects at a time when interest rates are low and appetite for construction work is real hungry. more ›

We spoke with artist Laurel Hausler last February for a studio visit, and tonight, her solo exhibit, A History of Dogs and Witches, opens at the Nevin Kelly Gallery. We met up with the painter again this week to find out what she's been working on, and to give you a preview of the show. more ›

Acrylics, gauche, ink and watercolor are all types of water media, but each requires its own tricks and techniques to utilize it to the fullest. Currently at Nevin Kelly Gallery are accomplished artists celebrated by the National Society of Arts and Letters (NSAL) as career award recipients for their use of water media on paper in NSAL's 2007 arts competition. more ›

As you might imagine, there's not a whole lot going on in the art world this week, and unlike the last holiday, even the Smithsonians close on Christmas Day. Nevertheless, we found a few exhibits for you to poke around this weekend. And if you're one of those last minute gift buyers and can't bear to wage war at the mall, don't forget our guide to art museum memberships for something a little more unique than the new Harry Potter DVD on rush delivery from Amazon.com. more ›

‘Tis the season for D.C.’s galleries to hold their annual group shows, hoping to entice holiday shoppers with a variety of artwork at affordable prices. Until December 30, U Street’s Nevin Kelly Gallery is hosting its third annual Attainable Art exhibit, with all work priced under $1500, and many pieces in the $200-600 range. Even if you don’t have many art lovers in your shopping queue this year, group exhibits like this one give visitors... more ›

At Nevin Kelly Gallery until October 7th is Peer Pressure, a group exhibition guest curated by D.C. artist Thom Flynn. Of the four artists featured, Sue Huang and Pasqual Sisto hail from UCLA’s Media Arts program, while Carrie Mallory and Baby Martinez reside in D.C. Flynn claims that the impetus for his selection of work was simply to “assemble a group of his peers to size-up contemporary trends in art,” however the show itself seems... more ›

Many apologies for bringing you the arts agenda a day late this week -- we're getting darned worn out by all these great events going on lately. Visual art continues to stampede the city throughout April, and this weekend brings us a four-day festival as well as the continuation of the two huge exhibition projects sweeping the metro area. Get your fill below, just remember to stay hydrated as you enter the middle of this marathon. more ›

>> The Corcoran is the place to be for art this weekend when they open the mammoth exhibit Modernism: Designing a New World, 1914-1939 on Saturday. The show will appeal to more than straight-up art lovers — wannabe urban planners (we know we've got some of those around here) will find a survey of industrial architecture; politicos can engage in an examination of the era's struggle for national identity; fashionistas can check out the styles... more ›

>> The gallery at Flashpoint opens a new show tonight with works by Christopher Saah. Nightscenes includes 25 photographs that turn back alleys and gritty streets into noir-influenced nostalgia. Check them out during the opening reception tonight from 6 to 8 p.m. >> The Nevin Kelly Gallery also has an opening tonight, celebrating their first photography show in the four years its been open. Yanina Manolova and Mark Parascandola's images will contrast formal studio work... more ›

We've mentioned it before, but in case you missed it, Fusebox is closing its doors, and they have indeed announced a closing reception: It's this Saturday, Feb. 11 from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Sarah and Patrick would like to invite everyone to come and drink a toast to five years of great art. Other gallery owners no doubt are also encouraged to attend and poach their now homeless roster of artists. See you all there. more ›