Linn Meyers, “Untitled,” new acquisition by the Contemporary Art Purchasing Program at the University of Maryland

Tonight:

>> This week’s heavy hitter exhibit opens tonight at Conner Contemporary. Conversations in Lyrical Abstraction: 1958-2009 asks you to compare work by Morris Louis, Alma Thomas, Leo Villareal and others. If you haven’t visited Conner’s new space, tonight is a great night to do so, as they open up their second floor for Washington Project for the Arts biennial OPTIONS exhibit, featuring talented emerging artists, including 2008 DCist Exposed winner Matt Smith. 6 to 8 p.m.

>> The D.C. Commission on Arts and Humanities has been holding pretty great monthly art salons. The next one is tonight from 7 to 9 at the Anacostia Art Gallery. Enjoy artwork by Corcoran Artreach, THEARC, and more, a performance by The Washington Ballet, and tunes by DJ Adrian Loving. A free shuttle will run from Dupont at 6:30 p.m. or the Anacostia Metro at 7 and 7:30 p.m. Free but please RSVP to dccahevents[at]gmail.com.

>> Established D.C. area artist Ellyn Weiss opens an exhibit of new work in Dark Matter, regarding the “mysteries of communication,” at Nevin Kelly Gallery. 6 to 9 p.m.

>> The non-profit WVSA ARTs connection has a reception every third Thursday from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. Enjoy art and meet the staff who support the community with workshops and vocational classes for children and adults.

>> Head to College Park for a unique exhibit by University of Maryland students. As part of their Contemporary Art Purchasing Program, five students were sent last spring to galleries in D.C. and NYC to learn how to and eventually purchase art, such as the Linn Meyers piece you see above. The work will be displayed in the Stamp Student Union and celebrated with a reception tonight from 5 to 8 p.m.

>> The NewCommunities ArtSpace will be open from 7 to 9 p.m. to feature Holga images by members of Joseph’s House, a hospice for homeless men and women with AIDS and cancer. A Community Projects grant for young artists by the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities helped these photographers document their lives.