F.O.M.A. (noun): “fear of missing art”; the nagging feeling that cool art events are passing you by.
While the advent of Memorial Day usually imparts days spent by the beach or chowing down on barbecue al fresco, enjoying a little art in the great indoors is a welcome respite from the heat and humidity of summer in the DMV as well as a great rainy day alternative.
The Art League – “Art on the Vine”
Art on the Vine – part global wine tour, part fine art tour – features a 7-day online auction of artwork by our esteemed faculty of artists. Join us for the kick-off wine-tasting party and the “Artwork Unveiling & First Bid” on Friday, June 8 from 7:30 to 10:30 pm. Each ticket includes: event admission, the opportunity to see all of the artwork in person, access to the Silent Auction, a souvenir wine glass, eight redeemable wine tasting tags + one full pour “coin,” and a complementary light buffet. The auction, ticket sales, and a portion of the wine and food sales, all raise money to benefit The Art League and its programs. Last chance for Early Bird tickets is May 25, so don’t wait! Cheers!
The Art League – Michael McSorley: “Collections of Perceptions”
A pocket watch, a palette knife, a matchbox; oil painter Michael McSorley brings together the unexpected, the ordinary, and the unassuming through carefully constructed three-dimensional assemblages in “Collections of Perceptions.” McSorley merges fine art with carpentry through his masterfully painted and expertly crafted assemblages, the resulting assemblages evoke the idea of a curio cabinet—some offering assorted trinkets, others portraying faces and places. The free exhibit is on view at The Art League gallery, June 6 – July 1. The Opening reception for the exhibit will be held Thursday, June 14, 6:30–8:00 pm.
The Renwick – “No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man”
Escape the heat (but keep the desert aesthetic) by visiting the Renwick’s much hyped “No Spectators: The Art of Burning Man.” The exhibit brings puts the focus on the maker culture and allows the viewer to touch, interact with, and even utilize many of the pieces. Enjoy the art and feeling of Burning Man with absolutely none of the Steampunk goggles or a trip to the Nevada desert. The exhibit will be on display until January 2019.
Smithsonian American Art Museum – “Diane Arbus: A Box of 10 Photographs”
Any photography history buff worth their lenses knows of Diane Arbus, but her photography is rarely on view. “A Box of 10 Photographs” launched Arbus’s posthumous career and solidified her photography (mainly focusing on rare human subjects or shocking scenes) as “high art.” 80’s street photography fans may be familiar with her daughter, The Village Voice’s Amy Arbus. The exhibit runs until January 27.
ARTECHOUSE – “Naked Eyes”
ARTECHOUSE hosts “Naked Eyes” an installation created specifically for the space and designed around LED lights and lasers and combined with music. Comprised of four unique installations, with each piece very site specific, this audio visual light exhibition is a celebration of light. Simple geometric light forms are used to define the relationship between time, space, and reality. The light has been sculpted, contained, diffused, projected, and reflected so Naked Eyes can enjoy the three dimensionality of it all. ARTECHOUS is also great place to end an art-filled day with cocktail or two with the locale’s famous digitally enhanced cocktail experience. “Naked Eyes” runs through June 30.
National Gallery of Art
West Wing
You may have seen a Cézanne or two in your life, you haven’t seen the artist’s work like this. This exhibit is the first entirely devoted to portraits by the famed post-impressionist – 60 on loan from collections around the world. “Cézanne Portraits” explores the unconventional aspects of his portraiture, the role his portraits play in the development of his radical style and method, and the range and influence of his sitters (who included his friends and other people he knew, rather than strangers). The exhibit is up at the National Gallery of Art, West Building on the main floor, until July 1.
May is Asian American Pacific American heritage month, and DC museums are celebrating Asian art traditions in style with beautiful textiles!
George Washington University: The Textile Museum – “Vanishing Traditions: Textiles and Treasures from Southwest China”
Dazzling festival costumes and accessories, including a richly ornamental child’s hat, are on display in GWU’s museum specifically for textiles (one of only a few in the world). “Vanishing Traditions” explores traditions from minority cultures in southwest China, now endangered by modernization. The exhibit runs now through July 9.
Freer Sackler Smithsonian’s Museums of Asian Art – “To Dye For: Ikats from Central Asia”
Nothing signaled a person’s rank in Central Asia as conspicuously as a boldly patterned ikat coat. As valuable personal belongings, cherished ikat robes were handed down from one generation to the next and were eventually recycled into hangings, covers, or trims. “To Dye For: Ikats from Central Asia” brings together about 30 of the finest historical Central Asian ikat hangings and coats from the Freer|Sackler collections, donated by Guido Goldman, as well as several of Oscar de la Renta’s iconic creations. The aim is to explore the original use and function of these dazzling fabrics and the enduring appeal of their extraordinary designs. The exhibit runs through July 29.
Did we miss anything? Let us know in the comments!