It’s round two of the official opening of the fall art season. If you didn’t get to check out all the openings last week (and who humanly could have?), spend part of your Saturday afternoon perusing the rest — our reviewer particularly enjoyed the show at Flashpoint. But block off your evenings for the parties to celebrate the following openings:
>> Up in Bethesda, it’s the big night for the Trawick Prize finalists, as they all hang their works at the Creative Partners Gallery. See the winners, including the paintings by Best of Show Jo Smail, and decide for yourself who the deserving contestants were. Reception Friday, 6 to 9 p.m.
>> As always, the galleries on 14th Street NW have coordinated for the perfect little art package. Our pick this weekend is at the 1515 14th Street building next to Viridian, where Hemphill Fine Arts, on the third floor, is showing the multimedia works of Renee Stout as she plays out her alter ego in Journal: Book One. On the second floor, Adamson Gallery will exhibit New Work by Chuck Close (pictured), known for his unforgiving, realistic works of model Kate Moss; G Fine Art is hosting painter Ian Whitmore’s honi soit qui mal y pense (shamed be he who thinks evil of it), a fascinating series of Bush administration “portraits”; and the Curator’s Office displays the intricate, abstract works of Jiha Moon in Line Tripping. All receptions Saturday, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m., except Curator’s Office, 6 to 8 p.m.
>> Penn Quarter holds its annual Arts on Foot festival this Saturday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Check out the arts and crafts, along with cheap, delicious eats from local restaurants. As part of the festival, the Washington Convention Center will be holding three 45 minute tours of its enormous art collection. Tours are free, but you must call 202-249-3200 to register. The festival site is located on F Street between 7th and 9th Streets and will go on rain or shine. See the web site for all the events.
