Image of “Window” by Kerry Skarbakka, 2009, courtesy Irvine Contemporary

We’re almost through the month of holiday art markets (not that we’re in a rush), so see our previous agendas for ongoing fairs and below for a few new ones. While you’re supporting artists by buying their works, it’s also a good time of year to make some donations to your favorite arts organizations or buy a yearly membership for ongoing support. We’ll give you some recommendations below.

Openings:

>> Irvine Contemporary opens two new shows on Saturday. Based on his first solo at Irvine, we can highly recommend Kerry Skarbakka’s second, The Struggle to Right Oneself: A Survey. His photographs are awesome and awesomely awkward, as he stages scenes in mid-fall. Also see Sebastian Martorana’s marble sculptures in Uncommissioned Memorials. 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

>> Learn about the workings of 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. over the past two centuries in an exhibition opening tomorrow at The White House Visitor Center. Organized by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service, The Working White House: 200 Years of Tradition and Memories features photographs, letters and other objects that walk you through the lives of the maître d’s, chefs, and housekeepers who kept the President’s house running.

>> Thirty-one artists were challenged to use wool to recreate a toy from their childhood. The result is Bauble opening at the Wool Exploratorium (seriously!), 2250 11th Street NW. Listen to DJ’s Todd Threats and Vince Brown during the opening tomorrow, 6 to 9 p.m.

>> Who doesn’t like nudity and animals? Um, together? See 20 years of sexy and often very nude advertisements of famous folks by PETA at the Govinda Gallery in Georgetown. Opening reception Saturday, 3 to 5 p.m.