>> Celebrate the grand opening of the Honfleur Gallery this Saturday at 7 p.m. This very welcome addition to the city's art scene is located near the Anacostia metro and appropriately begins its life with East of the River, a mixed media exhibition that includes both professionals and first-timers who celebrate their history with the area. Especially notable is the work by John Muller from DreamCity, an organization that does some serious community building in D.C. — so much they've earned a nomination for the Mayor's Art Award, which will be handed out next month at the Kennedy Center. Muller presents a photographic storyboard of DreamCity's upcoming play Southside, "a call for non-violence within the communities and neighborhoods of not only Washington, D.C., but throughout the country." While we love art for its own sake, we love D.C. even more and are excited to see a gallery focused so closely on its community and the people living in its own backyard. If you stop by Saturday, let us know what you think of the new place. more ›

>> Irvine Contemporary opens two solo shows on Thursday, by artists working in extremely different styles and techniques. On the one hand are Sean Foley's creepy, colorful paintings and works on paper. (At first glance, the image on the gallery's homepage conjures up images of old Ren & Stimpy episodes.) On the other are haunting new photographs by Gina Brocker of a family of Irish migrants. Chat up the artists about their work at the... more ›

Chin up, art enthusiasts - the dismal month of August is finally coming to a close. With it are lots of closing gallery exhibits around town. Stay tuned for the barrage of shows that will be opening in area museums and galleries over the next few weeks. >> Heading back to class at The University of Maryland? Be sure to stop in the Union Gallery to see "Every Day," featuring artwork by Barbara Bergstrom, Tracy... more ›

>> You better act fast to see "Bringing It All Together: The Art of Joyce Lomax" at Ramee Art Gallery -- the show will only be up this Friday and Saturday. The exhibit, the last to be on view at the gallery's 14th Street space, features works on paper, paintings and ceramics by Atlanta-based artist Joyce Lomax. On August 20, Ramee Art Gallery will relocate to 606C Rhode Island Avenue, NE. The reception for... more ›

This Thursday marks the final 3rd Thursday of the Seventh Street gallery corridor before the summer hiatus. Various galleries and cultural organizations in the area will be open late and feature contemporary art exhibitions, artist talks, snacks and beverages, special screenings and an artist-guided gallery crawl. To join the tour, meet at the Goethe Institut at 812 Seventh St. NW at 6:30 p.m. >> Of special interest is "Gina Denton: Signal" at Flashpoint. This... more ›

>> "Eva Zeisel: The Playful Search for Beauty" opens at Hillwood Museum today. Curated by Karen Kettering, Hillwood’s curator of Russian art, the exhibit is the first survey of the renowned designer's work in 20 years. Some of you may recognize her designs from an earthenware line available at Crate and Barrel. Zeisel sums up her career and her many designs as the product of a "playful search for beauty." Her "Prototypes for Modular Ceramic Wall Dividers, Manifattura Mancioli (Montelupo, Italy)," made in 1958 of glazed porcelain, is shown at left. more ›

The Thursday gallery crawl might be a good chance to catch "Sharon Louden: The Motley Tails" at Numark Gallery, as that impressive show closes on Feb. 19. more ›

>> Tonight is the next installment of the Art & Soul series at The Blue Room. "One Night Stand" features silk screens by Tang as well as drawings & paintings by Zach Storm that address the lingering feelings after a one night stand. This free event kicks off at 8 p.m. more ›

— The Hirshhorn has kicked off its 30th anniversary with the opening of "Ana Mendieta: Earth Body, Sculpture and Performance 1972–1985," a major survey of the artist’s work, in which “art becomes the sheer, absurd impulse to impose your presence — which can include a female presence — on the world.” (Read more of Blake Gopnik’s review in the Post. Mendieta’s sculpture of black ritual candles will be lit again this Friday from 12-5 p.m. more ›

You know what? D.C. gets a bum rap sometimes, but there really is a ton of great stuff constantly going on in this town, and not just on the weekends. With that in mind, DCist brings you Out and About: Hump Day -- events dedicated to Wednesday, that most humpable day of the week. Check out what's happening this evening: more ›