Vienna Arts Society moved to 243 Church Street July 9; 2018 in Vienna. It is a great gallery with…read moreamazing art exhibits. Public is welcome to a reception July 29 from 4 to 6 pm showing art work done by wounded soldiers located at Fort Belvoir with works of Vienna Arts Society artists also. The new gallery is worth seeing. Many classes are offered. Take the elevator to the lower level and turn right. Come and meet some artists tomorrow evening.

I have walked by this small domed area without realizing it. The structure almost looks like a…read moresnack bar. Just walk beside it to the entrance and go downstairs. There are a lot of hidden gems underground. The Ripley Center is beside the Smithsonian Castle. and the Freer Gallery. You can take Smithsonian metro or the Red line Circulator bus ( stop 4 if you don't mind walking across the grounds or stop 13 if you have an extra 25 minutes and want to be dropped off out front). The Ripley Center is a popular stop for schools. There are wonderful programs for students. The lower level has classrooms where groups can make art projects and learn about art. The building also has a lecture hall, the Discovery theater and wonder exhibits that change from time to time. The National Museum of African Art is connected to the building. You don't have to exit to see the exhibits. The Freer Gallery is on the same block. These are just three of the gems right beside each other. It is especially convenient when the weather is hot or rainy. If you have time for another adventure, the castle is just a few yards away from the domed shaped structure. It is a perfect meeting place outside. The museums are free. The circulator buses are currently free. Win-win.

Lecture Hall Under the Mall! I attended my first Smithsonian…read moreAssociate Program (8/2/19). The Venue: The most exciting thing is the S. Dillion Ripley Center is located Below Ground-under The National Mall. You enter the Via a small circular Building across the street from the Smithsonian Metro Station. Note: You Must Walk Down Many Stairs once inside. The place is very spacious, once below ground W/towering high ceilings. The center includes: Several lecture halls, movie theater space & conference rooms. The Food: Coffee, Bottled Water, Pastries & Snacks Available for purchases just outside lecture hall. The Program: "The Splendors Of The English Country House" 400 years in 7.5 hrs on the art, architecture, decor & people who created these homes & history. The program covered historical periods & significant architectural themes including: Elizabethan, Palladian (Neo-Classical), Victorian. I was most interested in learning more about Neo-Classical Architecture & it's driving force Robert Adam. He is credited w/popularizing This architecture in America. Most notable "The Federal Style" we see here in Washington, DC i.e. the Capitol & the National Archives best examples in my opinion. The lecture hall is quite comfortable-well padded Seats. We had a (1 hr) lunch break-eat on your own. I left the venue & got a polish sausage from a vendor on the mall & bottle water & a croissant From vendor outside our lecture hall. All tasted good. The Smithsonian Associates Program: Is an annual membership based program. Members receive a reduced cost per program And receive a monthly program via U.S. Mail Detailing upcoming programs. Non-Member pay a slightly higher ticket price For programs & learn about programs Via members or the Associate's latest programs Via the Smithsonian website: "Smithsonian.edu" It was a very informative day overall. A few participants I met had been to many Of these lectures, speaking well of the presenters. The staff I engaged w/all professional/courteous. Worth another visit.

This is a small, unassuming gallery and frame shop and most of you have probably never heard of…read moreOrchard Gallery because as far as I know it has never been written about in any of the local press. Part of that is because the owners, a very nice and unassuming Korean couple, don't seem to be too concerned with the press. As far as I know, they don't even send out press releases (at least to me), although they do participate in the monthly Bethesda Art Walks. But they are doing something right that seems to have escaped most galleries these days: they are selling a lot of artwork. When I first walked into Orchard a few years ago, I was expecting to find the usual mediocre art that one finds on the walls of most art venues that rely on framing as a business. I was pleasantly surprised not only by the quality of the artwork (at the time they were showing a recent MICA MFA graduate whose name escapes me now), but also by the fact that the framing business does not interfere with the art gallery space at all. It's a clean, minimalist art space. The owners were very nice and warm, and were genuinely surprised when I identified myself (they had no idea who I was anyway), described what I do, and then told them that I really liked the work. I also noted that there were a lot of red dots. Over the next couple of years, every time that I find myself around Norfolk Avenue, I drop by into Orchard to check out their shows. I haven't been WOW'd every time, but I've never been disappointed. It is clear that the owners have a particular taste and sensibility that is working for them. And I've always seen a lot of red dots. What's even more refreshing is that in these times of austere fiscal environments, when galleries are closing all over the nation, and where they turn away new artists by the droves, Orchard's website still says: "We encourage local and emerging artists to contact us for details on our monthly gallery exhibits." Orchard, my kudos to you. Keep doing whatever you are doing to put original artwork on peoples' walls.

(e)merge art fair was a huge disappointment…read more.. First, I purchased the Gilt City VIP Party and Preview Tickets, for a $65 for a $5 savings... Frankly, I thought Gilt would have vetted this 'VIP party' ...There was NOTHING VIP about the VIP PARTY... perhaps I should have read the fine print more clearly --- no complimentary cocktail, canapes, blah blah blah....there would have been no difference from viewing this art show any other day or time. Speaking of cocktails, they had ONE bartender at the main bar. Then one outside by the pool...one on the second floor. Interestingly enough, I just paid $65 for this event and NOT one cocktail included. When I went to buy a beer by the pool, the sign said 'Domestic Beer $5, Imported Beer $6.' The woman asked me for $8, and I told her the sign in front of her said $6. She said the price was $8 for this event. Nice. Clearly, the high price of the VIP Party and just the $15 show fee are to subsidize the Capital Skyline because no one would come here otherwise... Second, this show was questionable for both quality and quantity. It was definitely quite sparse... As someone who attended last year, I am pretty confident in saying that there were far more exhibitors and far more international exhibitors last year. Whilst there were a few nice pieces here and there, the rest of the works reminded me of the Artomatic, which I greatly support as a wonderful effort in promoting the arts to the community at large but is not curated or presented as a professional art show. The (e)merge art fair is a big #FAIL... If they seek to survive in DC, they will need to do a better job of curating because no one is going to continue to pay this kind of entry fee to subsidize a motel. *(e)merge art fair, if you would like to hire me, I consult on business strategy including revenue strategy for cultural arts organizations, so ping me...

Great experience! This fair had a variety of international artists and also provided a great…read moreopportunity for local artists as well. My favorite part was the section in the garage that had different musical and performances art showings... The trapeze act was pretty awesome, too... The staff was super friendly and helpful, very willing to talk about the art.

Honfleur Gallery is a small, contemporary art gallery in Anacostia. It's in a beautiful space in…read morehistoric Anacostia right next to the Anacostia Arts Center. The space is in one single open room with two benches to sit on as you observe the art. They rotate exhibits often always giving people a reason to stop by. Like many other galleries in the city, it's free. They also host events from time to time.

First off, I need to tell you the area this gallery is kinda sketch. Like, really sketch. It is a…read morepretty new art place - the owner told me the space used to be a pawn shop. So yeah, nice neighborhood. Um..not really. I'm sure if the stadium project happens, this hood is going to turn around like U Street has, but until then -- enjoy the view of a burned out building. And if you get hungry there is a take out pizza place right next door so there's a plus. I got a preview of the show going on now (although I heard a rumor they had to postpone the opening due to some maintenance/construction issues). If you have ever said "Art is boring," the No Scratchers exhibit is for you. You'll see photos of people in ink (that means tattoos to those folks not in the know). Really beautiful, unique, and not the norm as far as "art" goes.

If you love movies this is the only place to buy art. They have amazing pieces by the people that…read moreactually work in film and animation. The Star Wars art alone takes my breath away, being a fan since I was child seeing these John Alvin posters, etc take me back to that exact time in my life. If you have not been in you really should go by just check it out. I am sure you will start your own collection after one visit.

After searching online, I found the collector's piece I was looking for. I called the store…read moredirectly to ask a few questions prior to purchasing. Michael, one of the owners, was very professional and followed up with me immediately. I purchased the item with Michael over the phone and he assured me he would take every precaution shipping the item. It arrived today from VA to CA in one piece and it's gorgeous! The customer service was amazing and I can't recommend these guys enough.

I went years ahi and had a wonderful experience. To be the mother of two gifted children in the…read morearts, I was blown away to see such great talent displayed. It may me think where they could have ended up with their GOD given talents, but respected their art nonetheless. Highly recommend everyone visits at least once.

When I was little, I had the most amazing dollhouse. The dollhouse had 2 staircases, one of which…read morewas a spiral staircase! The roof had actual tiles on it, and the windows had shutters. I found out later on that my parents had bought the house for me at a prison gallery. The Prisons Gallery Of Art is to display the talents of men and women in prison. Some of the profits from the sale of their art goes to the artists directly and another portion goes towards the Prisons Foundation. The Foundation has an ongoing effort to promote the arts and education in prison as well as investigating options to incarceration. At the Gallery, the first Sunday (2-5pm) of each month is Justice Sunday. On that Sunday there is live music and justice advocates who speak and take questions.

I ended up here because of a strong recommendation from a Torpedo Factory artist. An artist…read moremyself, I am relatively particular, and have to say that this is now my favorite framer. From the vast selection of moldings to the informed suggestions of the owner, I give this place an A+++