Image of work by Shepard Fairey, from ManifestHope:DC

Did you hear that? It’s the squealing tires of art world hitting the gas and letting go of the clutch as they careen into the political art scene like a carful of 16-year-olds off to their first kegger. Sure, there was political art going on the last eight years, but not a whole lot of it, and scanning our arts agendas for the past few years, it wasn’t really happening in the District, home of the White House, much at all. The coming out party has arrived with the election of Barack Obama, and artists are harnessing the excitement to say hooray! Happy days are here again! Hope and stuff!

One does hope (ahem) that they plan on saying a lot more than that. It is art, after all, and we prefer art that’s brave and makes one stop and think, instead just petting our already warm and fuzzy parts. Luckily, you have more than your fair share of chances to find out if they do at the following parties and exhibits this Inaugural Weekend.

>> If you hit one art show this weekend, it should be ManifestHope:DC, an enormous group art show organized by MoveOn.org, SEIU, and Obey Giant, with gallery management through Irvine Contemporary. Held at the large 3333 M Street NW location in Georgetown, about 100 artists, who won their spot through a contest, will show their political work focused on one of three areas: Health Care Reform, Workers Rights, or The Green Economy. See notable local names such as Tim Conlon, Tim Tate, Decoy, Billy Colbert and Lisa Marie Thalhammer during the opening hours, Saturday through Monday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

>> Did you get your tickets to The Art of Change party already? They officially sold out at 10 a.m. this morning, but we’re hearing rumors they released a few more, so head over quickly if you want to go. The celebration at Warehouse on Tuesday night is hosted by partners Artomatic and Playa Del Fuego, with about a zillion other arts orgs sponsoring some arm of the party that features two dance floors, tons of visual art, fire performers, and a variety stage. $50, cash bar, 18 and over, and remember the nearby Mt. Vernon Metro will be closed that night.

>> A political exhibit focused on social challenges, Stars and Stripes: Pride and Hope Reinterpreted, opened at Smith Farm’s Healing Arts Gallery last week, and we’re intrigued by their panel discussion with the artists on Saturday from 1 to 3 p.m.

>> Remember FotoweekDC last November? The people behind it are turning it into FotoAllTheTime with new projects, including fotobamaweek. Submit your photos from the campaign or inauguration until March 15; the top 100 winning images will be displayed in the Newseum, published in a limited edition book, and may receive big cash prizes. Details here.

>> Flickr fans, take note! Flickr.com is having its first official meet-up here in Washington, D.C. on Inauguration Day. Join the bigwigs, get some swag, and meet-up with other Flickr nerds at Sova Espresso and Wine on H Street from 12 to 8 p.m.