“Myself” by John N. Robinson. Image courtesy Hemphill Fine Arts.

>> This week we recommend heading to Hemphill Fine Arts for the opening of Selections from the Barnett-Aden Collection: A Homecoming Celebration, featuring two centuries of work by and about African-Americans. The collection began in a private home in Northwest D.C. by a professor and student of Howard University in the 1940s, when African-Americans could not show their work in museums and galleries. A number of people came together recently to recollect the artworks, restore them, and curate a portion of the 250 pieces into the show at Hemphill. DCist got a preview of the exhibition this morning, and we’re impressed by the artworks themselves, the broad swath of styles and media they cover, and the rich history — much of it local — they encompass. We’ll have a more in-depth review for you next week, but see them at the reception this Saturday from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

>> Conner Contemporary opens two shows: John Kirchner’s Unknowns and Brandon Morse’s This Shape We’re In. Kirchner updates, so to speak, vintage anonymous portraits by “conversing” with the unknown painters. Morse, who we have a bit of an art/science crush on, plays with structural integrity and destruction in his new video projections. Have him blow your mind on Saturday, 6 to 8 p.m.

>> The artists in the new show at Arlington Arts Center open up their Public/Private lives, and those of the people around them, for an interactive experience. Read one artist’s sisters’ diary, or see how a couple of artists managed to get certain images into the Google Maps Street View project, and much more. Opening Friday, 6 to 9 p.m.

>> Project 4 opens a show with works by Anthony Pontius, who says he creates “histories.” His seemingly narrative paintings and drawings have familiar images that make you think you’re getting a story with an important piece missing. The questions left are yours to ponder. Reception is Saturday, 6 to 8:30 p.m.