In a release sent out last night, Bethesda’s Fraser Gallery said it will close at the end of March. This gallery is the last of a pair; owner Catroina Fraser opened a Georgetown location in 1995 and closed it in 2005, following the opening of the Bethesda location in 2002.

The work of Baltimore artist René Treviño took home top honors in the 2009 Trawick Prize. On Wednesday, winners of the regional visual art competition, The Trawick Prize: Bethesda Contemporary Art Awards, were announced. The top four awards were given to René Treviño of Baltimore, who won “Best in Show” and a cash prize of $10,000; D.C.’s Molly Springfield was awarded second place and $2,000; Jessie Lehson of Baltimore was bestowed third place and…

>> This week, start your arts viewing with a fascinating documentary on the lives of a powerful curator/collector and his ever controversial photographer lover. Black White + Gray: A Portrait of Sam Wagstaff and Robert Mapplethorpe examines the lives of these two men through those who knew them best, such as close friend Patti Smith, and how Wagstaff’s relationship with Mapplethorpe vaulted them both into careers as art world visionaries, not the least of which…

The Smithsonian announced yesterday that they’ve officially formed the committee to find the replacement for Olga Viso as the new Director of the Hirshhorn. The group of eight includes local art collectors and Hirshhorn trustees, a couple Smithsonian officers, and the Director of SFMoMA, though we can think of at least one more loud voice that might want in on the decision. We’ll be interested to hear who they come up with before Viso leaves…

Five years ago, Carol Trawick began funding the highest paying art competition in the area at the time. The Trawick Prize, held at Creative Partners, was open to artists working in all media, with the high cash prizes often won by new media artists working in video, digital technologies and installation. Encouraged by Fraser Gallery owner Catriona Fraser, Trawick began a similar competition open only to painters three years ago: the Bethesda Painting Award. The…

Let’s see. What could possibly be going on in the arts this weekend? Hmm, oh right. DCist Exposed has been getting some love from the Post (did you check out last weekend’s Sunday Source?), Washingtonian, and a whole slew of online sources. We just got back from hanging the show and, oh man, it looks great, so we hope you’ll give it some love, too, tomorrow night at Warehouse, 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Please forgive…

>>Seriously, Just Don’t Hit Send Next Time: If you missed the gallery-style cage match and possible legal battle between artist Doug Sanford and his ex-girlfriend caused by the Fraser Gallery’s last exhibit, stop by the space anyway and see what drama their new exhibit will cause. Though the 6th Annual International Photography Competition probably won’t spur the hatred of a woman scorned, it’ll at least feature some ridiculously talented artists. The opening reception is tomorrow…

>> Show ‘Em How It’s Done: Remember how much we hated the Art Walk? We can’t fix the mosaicked drain gutters (ugh), but you can do your part and dress up the rest. The D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities is soliciting entries for the next exhibit entitled Drift. Hat tip to Lenny from Mid Atlantic Art News for this info, and who also tells us that the first exhibit may have suffered simply…

Clear your calendar because the gallery season opens with a bang this weekend. Ditch work early tomorrow, meet your cohorts for a quick drink (what, you don’t pre-game for gallery receptions?) and head to the closest art house at six sharp. Beer and wine abound at these showpiece sacella, so bring a date (or find one there!) and up your culture quotient a few notches. If you’ve never been to a gallery before, well, why…

Friday >>Summer Fridays are meant for free beer, long strolls and casual socializing. Which is exactly why they started the Bethesda Art Walk. We recommend catching the opening reception of the Fraser Gallery’s Summer Group Exhibit. Six artists have displayed their new work in photography and painting. The oil on metal paintings by Michael Fitts look like a rougher versions of light, breezy subjects, while Lee Goodwin’s gelatin silver prints of black and white landscapes…