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.
>> The Smithsonian American Art Museum opens a new retrospective tomorrow of the works of John Alexander. His paintings, which run from the 1970s to the present, incorporate social commentary and political satire into his intricately detailed nature scenes. Remember SAAM is only closed on the 25th, so you can visit the exhibit all this weekend. While you’re there, see their other shows, Over the Top, the Lucelia Award Winners, the landscape paintings of Asher B. Durand, and Going West! Quilts and Community. It might also be a good time to visit the new Kogod Courtyard in relative peace. SAAM is open 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
>> G Fine Art quietly opened their seasonal showing off of in-house artists last Monday. They won’t be having a reception, but they will be open Saturday during usual hours, so stop by to see, among other pieces, two new works by iona rozeal brown, whose paintings of culture clashes have been garnering much attention lately by museums and award-givers.
>> The Phillips Collection will hold their weekly Artful Evening tonight, with a lecture comparing traditional Salon representations of the sea and coastlines with the Impressionists, to go along with their exhibit Impressions by the Sea, which closes January 13. Gallery talks are at 6 and 7:30 p.m. and are included with the price of admission.
>> Don’t forget the ongoing exhibits at the National Gallery of Art (J.M.W. Turner and Edward Hopper), the Hirshhorn, the Corcoran Gallery of Art, the Katzen Art Center, Honfleur Gallery, Nevin Kelly Gallery, Carroll Square Gallery, and Hemphill Fine Arts. Be sure to check venue web sites or call to verify holiday hours.
