This Thursday, Exposed DC kicks off its tenth annual photography show with an opening reception at the gorgeous Carnegie Library. This year’s show features 47 photographs that offer unique glimpses of life in and around Washington, D.C.

While the photographs will be on display through April 1, the opening night reception is the main event. Not only can you mosey through this year’s featured photographs while drinking beer from Bluejacket Brewery and listening to beats from DJ Neville C, you can also partake in activities with local photography groups.

Exposed DC has grown from an annual show that celebrates the talented photographers featured on DCist to a year-round organization that brings together local photographers. With more on this year’s exhibit, and Exposed DC’s growth over the years, we spoke with event founder and former arts and managing editor of DCist, Heather Goss:

In years past, Exposed DC has been held in the Longview Gallery and in Capital Fringe’s headquarters. Tell us about this year’s new location.

We’ve always had the privilege of displaying the exhibit in some fantastic places. The former Warehouse space our first year, local art galleries like Civilian Art Projects, Flashpoint, and Long View Gallery, and Capital Fringe’s new headquarters last year. This year we wanted to do something really special to celebrate our 10th anniversary. The Historical Society of Washington, D.C. couldn’t be a more perfect partner for putting on an exhibit about what it’s like to live in the nation’s capital today, and getting to celebrate it somewhere special: the Carnegie Library. Guests will enter through the Grand Hall, where other local photography organizations have partnered with us to offer small exhibits and other activities. Check out the L’Enfant Map Room on the west wing, where a map illuminates the dance floor, and then head up the grand staircase (or the elevator!) to see the Exposed exhibit.

As you go into this tenth year of the photography show, how have you seen this event change, and what has stayed the same?

Ten years! Part of me doesn’t even believe it, but then I look around at the hundreds of talented photographers I’ve met, the many good friends I’ve made, and the now-two volume (!) retrospective photo books we’ve published. I feel pretty great about being a part of something so special for so long. The event itself doesn’t change much—it’s always been a huge blast, and nothing is better than a photographer seeing their work hung in an art gallery for the first time. What does change are the people: We’ve watched countless photographers go from hobbyists to professionals, and professionals remember that they need to make art for themselves too. We’ve experienced those changes too. Exposed started as an annual exhibit run through DCist (hi guys!), and over time my partner James Calder and I have built a big team of passionate photographers that run a year-round organization offering social events, unique photo ops, learning experiences, and hopefully many more new things to come.

Any thoughts on this year’s featured photos?

My favorite part of each new exhibit is the look back on what unusual things happened around the District. There’s a great photo by Holly Garner from Pope Francis’ visit—except, in the perfect Exposed-style twist we’re always seeking, the photo isn’t of the Pope, it’s of a gaggle of reporters lounging around camera scaffolding in front of the White House, waiting to get to work. There were so many fun images of The Beach at the National Building Museum, but none like Noe Todorovich’s double exposure that highlights both the surreal-ness of the event and the grandeur of the architecture around it. But then there are images like Messay Shoakena’s Best In Show winner of a man walking outside Union Station framed perfectly in bold shadows. Which reminds me that great art is around us all the time.

How do you possibly choose from the photo entries you receive?

Choosing is so hard, and so much fun. First our team each picks several dozen favorites, and we sort the images by number of votes. Then we curate the show from that batch to create an exhibit that shows a little of everything in both style and substance. We want to find images of unique events like last May’s WWII-aircraft flyover, and the things we look forward to every year, like the Cherry Blossom Festival, and then we want to find those great images that anyone who lives here would instantly recognize—the perfect image of a woman standing in a museum, or a street vendor handing you a bite to eat.

This year, you have a number of local photography groups participating at the opening reception. Any of these you want to highlight?

Uh oh, I have to pick just one? We have always viewed Exposed DC has being a way for the photography community to connect, so we thought this was a great opportunity to introduce more people to what these great organizations have been doing. You’ll get to see samples of the work being done by the youth in Critical Exposure and by The Exposure Group African American Photographers Association. Guests can drop in to hear “Critiques in a Flash” (and even submit their work for it) by the teachers at Capital Photography Center; check out some of the high-end cameras from Leica Store DC; jump in as photo assistants or subjects during a live photoshoot by professionals at APA|DC; and get their picture taken in our photo booth by IGDC and HOIST studio.

Will there be cake?

Cake! I forgot the cake! James, get the car!

Exposed DC’s opening reception is March 10, 6 to 10 p.m. at Carnegie Library (801 K Street NW). Cocktail attire recommended. Advance tickets are $35 for adults, $20 for under 21. Tickets at the door are $45 for adults, $30 for under 21. Children under 12 are admitted for free.