The brisk air. The warm colors lining the trees and the sidewalks as leaves fall, signaling the turning of the seasons. Maybe the arrival of fall brings an inspiration to get artsy and contemplative — or to find things to do indoors on the weekends. These new exhibits at private museums around the region provide a great jumping-off point for exploring the D.C.-area art scene this fall.

The Rothko Room and Afro Modernism at The Phillips

Have you ever wanted to experience the emotional impact of color? Perhaps not. But sit with Mark Rothko’s abstract paintings in The Phillips Collection’s Rothko Room for a time, and you may find yourself recalling, as museum founder Duncan Phillips wrote, “not memories but old emotions disturbed or resolved.” Phillips specifically designed this intimate, dimly lit room in 1960 with Rothko’s work in mind — the artist himself provided input — with one wall dedicated to each canvas. In Phillips’ words, this created a “chapel” for quiet reflection.

Now, for the first time in over 20 years, three of the original four works that usually hang in the room will be traveling to Paris, a loan to the Fondation Louis Vuitton. In their stead, three other Rothko works from the collections of Kate Rothko Prizel and Christopher Rothko, the artist’s children, are temporarily displayed through next spring: Untitled (Yellow, Pink, Yellow on Light Pink) (1955), No. 14 (1951), and No. 12 (1951).

In addition, Phillips is presenting the work of 50 African and African American artists in “African Modernism in America, 1947–67.” The traveling exhibition examines the relationship between American audiences and postcolonial African art by showcasing more than 70 paintings, sculptures, and works on paper, organized in four thematic sections.

The Rothko Room reinstallation, on view through March 31, 2024; “African Modernism in America, 1947–67” on view through Jan. 7; The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW; $10-$20, FREE for visitors 18 and under and members.

“Singular Views” and the abstract works of Alexandre Diop at Rubell

The Rubell Museum, which takes its exhibits from the 7,700-work (and growing) collection of Miami art collectors Mera and Don Rubell, opened a year ago in Southwest, and its inaugural exhibits did not disappoint. Now, the sprawling contemporary art museum will launch “Singular Views,” a showcase of 120 sculptures, paintings, and prints from artists across the world — including a number of D.C.-area artists (February James, Murjoni Merriweather, Rozeal, and Sylvia Snowden).

The museum will also spotlight the work of Franco-Senegalese visual artist Alexandre Diop, who uses found materials to explore themes of colonialism, ancestry, and historical violence.

“Singular Views: 25 Artists” and “Alexandre Diop: Jooba Jubba, l’Art du Defi, the Art of Challenge” open Nov. 2; Rubell Museum DC, 65 I St. SW; $10-$15 or pay-what-you-wish Wednesday-Friday; and always FREE for D.C. residents (with ID).

Iconoclasts at Glenstone

Prepare to have your mind blown at Glenstone generally — it’s a 300-acre contemporary and modern art museum from out of this world nestled in the woods of Potomac — but also at its new exhibit coming this November. “Iconoclasts: Selections from Glenstone’s Collection” will be on view long-term in its gallery building (the museum’s first building, which dates back to 2006). The exhibit provides an in-depth look at how our very definition of art has morphed over the past 100 years through the works of more than 50 artists. Most of the pieces on display haven’t been exhibited at Glenstone since 2018.

Visitors might compare works by French surrealist painter Marcel Duchamp (1887—1968) to the minimalist sculptures of Cuban-born American conceptual artist Félix González-Torres (1957—1996) or rare, bronze busts by Henri Matisse (1869—1954). Paintings by famed artists Jean-Michel Basquiat, Jasper Johns, Willem de Kooning, Joan Mitchell, and Jackson Pollock will demonstrate “experimentation in painting.” Some of the oldest pieces on display are the work of Swedish abstract artist Hilma af Klint. She created her series of watercolor, gouache, graphite, and ink on paper works, the “Tree of Knowledge” series, between 1913 and 1915.

“Iconoclasts: Selections from Glenstone’s Collection” is on view starting Nov. 16 and will run long term; Over time, works on view will rotate as Glenstone honors loan commitments to artists and peer institutions; Glenstone, 12100 Glen Road, Potomac; FREE with online reservation.