Washington may be deserted this week, but there is still art to see. If you are stuck at work without much to do, ducking out early to hit some less-crowded galleries would be an excellent idea. Here a few things to help you conclude 2006.

>> You have a couple weeks, through January 15, to see Ruth Duckworth, Modernist Sculptor, a selection of 80 ceramic pieces at the Renwick Gallery. Many of these works are still owned by the artist and are being shown publicly for the first time. Admission to the Renwick, an extension of the Smithsonian American Art Museum located at the corner of Pennsylvania Ave. and 17th St. NW, is free. If you have never been, the Renwick Gallery is one of the fine smaller museum spaces in the city. While you are there, go into the Grand Salon to see George Catlin’s Indian Gallery. Catlin was an amateur painter who wanted to document the lives of Native Americans. He made these paintings during and after the six years he spent following the path of the Lewis and Clark expedition, from 1830 to 1836, based on his encounters with some 50 tribes west of the Mississippi River. As he took his Indian Gallery on the road, it was sometimes as part of a Wild West show, even including performances by actual Native American dancers.

>> Heather Levy will be taking part in Art Romp 19, a show at Warehouse Arts Complex, from December 31 to January 27. The opening night includes a free cookout behind the gallery, from 7 p.m. to 2 a.m.

>> Continuing through January 13 at Addison/Ripley (1670 Wisconsin Ave. NW) are the warm pastels by Wolf Kahn and a show dedicated to emerging California artists.

>> From today through Saturday is your last chance to see the Damian Maurice show at Gallery 10 (1519 Connecticut Ave. NW). These “Cotton Field” paintings are colorful, organized around grid and abstracted plant motifs.

Image of George Catlin’s La-dóo-ke-a, Buffalo Bull, a Grand Pawnee Warrior, 1832, by the Smithsonian American Art Museum