Image of Dupont Underground courtesy of Provisions Library

>> Parks and Passages: Inspiration from Berlin for Washington’s Dupont Underground is an exhibition exploring the possibilities for redeveloping Dupont Underground. This abandoned 75,000-square-foot underground space is once again under consideration for re-development, but this time as a cultural site. To further investigate this idea, a group of research fellows went to Berlin to source ideas for re-purposing and re-activating the space. Their creative investigations draw from Berlin’s exceptional approach to sustainably re-purposing architectures and infrastructures. Interdisciplinary works from the four research residents present possibilties for the tunnels activation, while exploring the subliminal architectures, mythical stories, urban destinies, and social futures of these lost spaces and their connected capitals. The exhibit opens Thursday with a panel discussion Natural Adaptation, Urban Re-Use: Berlin and Washington DC at 6 p.m. followed by an opening reception for Parks and Passages: Inspiration from Berlin for Washington’s Dupont Underground at 8 p.m. Goethe-Insitut. Please RSVP to rsvp [@] washington.goethe.org for the panel or reception.

>> The winners of The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, a juried art competition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District were announced earlier this month. Congratulations are in order for Lillian Bayley Hoover from Baltimore, MD who was awarded “Best in Show” with $10,000; David D’Orio from Mt. Rainier, MD was named second place and given $2,000; Dean Kessmann from Washington, D.C. was bestowed third place and received $1,000 and the “Young Artist” award of $1,000 was given to Hannah Walsh of Richmond, VA. See work of the finalists at Gallery B, Friday from 6 to 9 p.m. in conjunction with the Bethesda Art Walk.

>> Head east of the river on Friday for the opening of Love & Rage and Unquiet Kingdom at the Honfleur Gallery. Love & Rage showcases 13 large-scale artworks by Arié Mandelbaum depicting scenes he observed in the neighborhood during his residency and were created with his signature medley of tempera and mixed media on paper or canvas. In Unquiet Kingdom see site-specific installation paintings done in Sumi ink and acrylic on paper, of contained chaos. Opening reception from 7 to 9 p.m.

>> Washington Project for the Arts and the Corcoran Gallery of Art present This Space Occupied (by Maida), a performance by Maida Withers, with musical accompaniment by Steve Hilmy. A part of Take It to the Bridge, a nine-week series of installations and performances at the Corcoran Gallery, This Space Occupied (by Maida) will take place Saturday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The 5-hour endurance event is inspired by notions of the Occupy movement and the current political climate and will include dance, text and interaction with the audience.

>> On Thursday, the D.C. Commission on Arts and Humanities will host the 27th annual Mayor’s Arts Awards at the Lincoln Theater. This year the honorees include four Washingtonians that have made significant contributions to the arts in D.C. Congratulations to former Mayor Anthony A. Williams, George Stevens Jr, Melvin Deal and Paul C. Jorgenson. The awards ceremony is free and open to the public. 6 to 9 p.m.

>> Addison/Ripley Fine Art opens an exhibit of new work by Kevin Kepple. Kepple’s work is light, layered and seems float away from the wall. Opening reception Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.

>> This Saturday at 2:00 p.m., the National Gallery of Art presents a ciné-concert featuring Gustav Machatý’s Erotikon. Andrea Rousova, curator, National Gallery, Prague, will introduce the film, which depicts the seduction of a rural stationmaster’s daughter (Ita Rina) by a handsome lothario (Olaf Fjord). Ben Model will provide live musical accompaniment on piano. Then on Saturday at 4:00 p.m., the Gallery screens Twenty Days without War, Guerman’s second film about World War II. And Sunday at 4:00 p.m., the Gallery screens The Fall of Otrar, an epic portraying the ruthless intrigues that led to Genghis Khan’s destruction of the Central Asian civilization of Otrar.

>> Tonight at DCAC, Barrelhouse Magazine presents a new reading series Stories on Stage. Tonight’s theme is based on All in a Day’s Work–Dispatches from the Office. 7:30 p.m. Admission $3 or free for DCAC members.

>> Morton Fine Art opens Works with Paper, a group exhibition explores traditional and non-traditional use of paper by artists Nathaniel Donnett, Victor Ekpuk, Rosemary Feit Covey, GA Gardner, Laurel Hausler, Choichun Leung, Mario Andres Robinson and Vonn Sumner. Opening reception Friday from 6 to 8 p.m.

>> The National Museum of Women in the Art opened Women Who Rock: Vision, Passion, Power. last weekend. Organized by the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum, the exhibition of more than 250 artifacts by more than 70 artists highlights the flashpoints, the firsts, the celebrated, and the lesser-known women who have influenced the genre from its inception through today. The exhibit is on view through January 2013.

>> Paper fashion and floral splendor set the scene when Hillwood Estate, Museum and Gardens unites with the GLBT community for the annual fall favorite, Gay Day, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturday. Activities include a Family Garden Party, exhibit talks and performances by Rock Creek Singers of Gay Men’s Chorus of Washington.

>> Strathmore is getting inked with its latest art exhibit, Skin where, six artists will explore the transformative properties of body modification through tattoos, henna, body paint, makeup and hair. See a modern tattoo parlor juxtaposed with one from 100 years ago along with photographs, video and an overview of other permanent and temporary modifications. Opening Saturday.

Call for Entries

• The Corcoran is seeking entries for its first Community Day and Art Fair. Applications are due Friday.
• Washington Project for the Arts is seeking submissions for its 2013 – 2014 Artist Directory. Submissions before Friday receive a discount.

Art Notes

• It’s 2nd Thursday Art Night: Fall for the Arts at the Torpedo Factory. Browse Open Studios, Interact with Artists, and Enjoy Refreshments. 6 to 9 p.m.
• Meet artist Wayne Gonzales at the Hirshhorn on Thursday at 7 p.m., whose work is on view in Dark Matters.
• Campaign Re/Form opens this Thursday at the Greater Reston Arts Center where this group show will transform the gallery into an interactive campaign office. Opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m.
• New Exhibition of Local Emerging Artists J.T. Kirkland and Magnolia Laurie opens tonight at The Heurich Gallery. 5:30 to 7 p.m.
• Neptune Fine Art presents All About Etching, opening tonight with an opening reception from 6 to 8 p.m.
• Microcosms opens at The Art League on with an opening reception, Thursday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.