Welcome to Artful Weekend, our guide to fun and interesting ways to enjoy and engage in art as you shelter-in-place or practice social distancing. 

This weekend: The 2021 Patrons’ Show at the League; a new documentary on African American art; fun and creative activities for the long weekend; and more!

At The Art League

Patrons’ Show 2021: Virtual Edition

Our Gallery is bursting with art for the Patrons‘ Show! There is still time to buy tickets. We anticipate that the first two weekends of February will be our busiest, so during this period there will be scheduled and timed viewing slots to ensure a safer environment. Register for yours here.

You can also view the artwork virtually on Flickr where you can check back periodically to see what’s added as we get closer to the show. Or download The Art Thief  mobile app on your iOS device. It lets you list based your favorites and quickly track which artworks have been chosen on the day of the show so that you’re ready to make a selection when your name is called.

Patrons’ Show First Choice Raffle

Did you know that the Patrons’ Show First Choice Raffle gives you an opportunity to win the artwork of your choice before the main event? Just purchase a ticket, write the name of your desired piece on it, and return it to The Art League Gallery by Friday, February 19 by 4:30 p.m. The winning First Choice Raffle ticket is pulled before the main Patrons’ Show Fundraiser drawing begins. The artwork listed on the winning ticket will be will be removed from the drawing and the winning ticket holder will be notified. Tickets are on sale in the Gallery, $15 for one and $25 for two.

Black Art in the Absence of Light

In celebration of Black History Month, HBO Max presents Black Art: In the Absence of Light, a documentary inspired by the late David Driskell’s landmark 1976 exhibition, “Two Centuries of Black American Art.” This dynamic film offers an illuminating introduction to the work of some of the foremost Black visual artists working today, interwoven with insights and context from scholars, historians, and a new generation of working African American curators. After viewing, delve into the subject matter further with online ancillary guides The Curriculum and Art-Making Activities, based on the documentary.

Movements, Moments

This digital and in-person exhibition aims to create a dialogue on work that focuses on the intersection of art and movement: physical movement as visual expression, such as dance or performance-based work, or movement represented conceptually, such as exploring the idea of growth or the passage of time. This is an all-media group exhibition with filmed performance-based work and video work encouraged. See it online, or at Target Gallery through March 7.

Fun Art Projects for the Long Weekend

The Hirshhorn Museum has a bounty of at-home art projects for young and older creators alike. Two to try: Just in time for Valentine’s day,  create a Futurist Bouquet, based on Giacomo Balla’s sculpture Futurist Flowers using easy-to-find materials like cereal boxes, old greeting cards, junk mail or other types of sturdy paper.

In the spirit of Presidents’ Day, make a paper Collage Flag based on Nam June Paik’s Video Flag, 1985-1996, using old newspaper and magazines.

Enjoy your weekend. Wear your mask.