Welcome to Artful Weekend, our new weekly listing of area art happenings! Check it out every Friday for fun and interesting exhibits and events occurring throughout the DMV. Share your experience at these and other weekend art destinations by tagging us (@theartleague) and including the hashtag #artfulweekend on social media.
This weekend: An artists’ talk, exciting openings, cool receptions, and a booth to delight in the art of smooching—happy Valentine’s Day!
My Queer Valentine
Love is love. That’s the sentiment behind My Queer Valentine, a new exhibit at Target Gallery that celebrated love through non-heteronormative and non-binary relationships. Don’t miss the special Valentine’s themed reception on Friday, February 14, 7 – 10 p.m., with juror talk at 8 p.m. The evening features interactive performance art, a photo op at our kissing booth, and DIY art-making activities. Learn more about and support local LGBTQ+ organizations, too; on view through March 8 at Target Gallery in the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria, VA.
The Black Vote Mural Project
A group of regional artists interpreted the Association for the Study of African American Life and History’s 2020 theme “African Americans and the Vote.” The result: sixteen murals that transform the interior galleries of the Banneker-Douglass Museum while exploring the intersection of public art, Black voices, and civil rights. Meet the artists at the opening reception Saturday, February 15 from 3–6:00 p.m.: on view through December 21 at Banneker-Douglass Museum, 84 Franklin Street, Annapolis, MD.
Cold Hands, Warm Heart: Myths of Black Womanhood Artist Talk
To have “cold hands and a warm heart” means to appear stern on the outside while being truly tender within. Curator Deirdre Darden has assembled a thoughtful and poignant, multi-disciplinary exhibition that examines the double consciousness that black people, especially woman possess. Artists Asha Elana Casey, Amber Robles Gordon, Helina Metaferia, and Tsedaye Makonnen will be on hand to discuss their work on Saturday, February 15 from 2-4 p.m.; exhibit on view through February 29 at Brentwood Arts Center, 3901 Rhode Island Avenue, Brentwood, MD.
Way We See
Gallery B’s February exhibit, “Way We See,” features a diverse assemblage of artwork by Nana Bagdavadze, Katty Biglari, Antonella Manganelli and Grazia Montalto. Come for the reception and meet the artists on Friday, February 14 from 6-8p.m.; on view through February 29 at at Gallery B, 7700 Wisconsin Avenue, Suite E, Bethesda, MD.
in mid sentence
Photographs are often replete with words that remain unheard. “In Mid-Sentence” presents a selection of photographs from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery’s collection that depict moments of communication: intimate confessions, public speeches, exchanged jokes, political confrontations, lectures and more; on view through March 8 at the National Portrait Gallery, 8th and F Streets NW.