>> Irvine Contemporary opens two solo shows on Thursday, by artists working in extremely different styles and techniques. On the one hand are Sean Foley’s creepy, colorful paintings and works on paper. (At first glance, the image on the gallery’s homepage conjures up images of old Ren & Stimpy episodes.) On the other are haunting new photographs by Gina Brocker of a family of Irish migrants. Chat up the artists about their work at the…

We first discovered D.C.-area artist Frank Warren’s PostSecret project at the 2004 Artomatic exhibit. The artist was handing out blank postcards addressed to a P.O. box, encouraging visitors to write a secret on the card and drop them in the mail. As the replies came in he would display the replies — ranging from whimsical to disturbing — at the exhibit. After the close of Artomatic the project kept growing: the City Paper began printing…

We first mentioned D.C. area artist Frank Warren’s PostSecret project in January, but his creative Artomatic exhibit idea seems to continue to grow. For the project he distributed thousands of postcards addressed to him asking attendees to share a secret anonymously through the mail. Some of the cards were displayed at the Anne C. Fisher gallery at her show of 10 Artomatic artists. After starting a blog to highlight some of the most interesting and…

Today will be mostly sunny blustery and cold with highs around 30. This photo of Lafayette Park was taken by Thomas Michael Corcoran. D.C. Government: Rolling in Dough: D.C. Chief Financial Officer Natwar M. Gandhi announced yesterday that the D.C. government had a surplus of $318 million in 2004 and has amassed $1.2 billion in savings. After withholding most to accommodate for expected increases in healthcare for city employees and other expenses, Gandhi is…

A show of 10 artists from last fall’s Artomatic show has opened at the Anne C. Fisher Gallery in Georgetown. The brainchild of Fisher and F. Lennox Campello of the Fraser Gallery (and prolific author of popular blog D.C. Art News) “10 Most Wanted” showcases a few works from some of the two gallery owners favorite Artomatic artists. The works on display range from abstract paintings and mixed media panels to sculpture, photography, and interactive…

FRIDAY: The five Canal Square Galleries (MOCA, Fraser, Parish, Alla Rogers and Anne C. Fisher) are having the monthly 3rd Friday openings tonight with five new shows to formally open the DC art season. Wine and sangria will abound! Mmm. Sangria. 6-9 p.m. Looking for a low-key night because you still have a hangover from the DCist happy hour? Oh, is that just us? There are plenty of flicks opening up tonight; we’re partial to…