Among the highlights of this week are several chances to meet artists and hear about their inspiration and techniques. What better way to get an inside look into exhibits? Keep reading for more details.

>> “Ed Cooper: Paintings” opens today at Spectrum Gallery. The exhibit features landscape oil paintings by the local artist, a member of the Washington Society of Landscape Painters. An opening reception for the exhibit will be held on Saturday from 3-6 p.m. His work “Autumn Grove” is shown at right.

>> Also today, The Maurine Littleton Gallery in Georgetown presents new work in glass by Jay Musler, including wall-hung shadow boxes and flameworked glass sculptures. The exhibit is on view through May 6.

>> “Freedom Works,” an exhibit of paintings on text by Tim Rollins and K.O.S. (Kids of Survival), a group of high school students from New York, opens at Fusebox tomorrow.

>> Stop by the Hirshhorn on Thursday at 7:30 p.m. for an artist’s talk by Glenn Ligon, an artist known for his densely patterned text-based paintings. Learn about his inspiration from African-American literature and his methods, particularly revision. This free lecture will be held in the Museum’s Ring Auditorium.