March 9-15
This week: Celebrate Black history through the art of textiles, find tranquility through art-inspired meditation, and more.
Additions to Last Week's Roundup
Opening Reception: Liming Tang and Xiaohuan Li [Visual Art] March 7, 5-7 PM | Arts Club of Washington | FREE
View the March 2025 exhibition featuring works by husband-wife duo Liming Tang and Xiaohuan Li, alongside member artist Samantha Lee Shelton. Beyond the art, visitors have a rare opportunity to explore the historic Arts Club building, constructed in 1802 and once the residence of James Monroe during his tenure as Secretary of State. [RSVP Required]
Open Studios [Visual Art] March 8, 12-4 PM | 52 O Street Studios | FREE
Explore the creative workspaces of dozens of artists during this special open house event. Established in 1978, this vibrant artistic community spans four floors housing over 50 studios. Visitors can view new works and purchase directly from the creators themselves. [More Information]
This Week
We Gather at the Edge: Contemporary Quilts by Black Women Artists [Visual Art] March 15-June 22 | Renwick Gallery | FREE
This powerful exhibition celebrates the rich tradition of story quilts while envisioning a more equitable world. The thoughtfully curated collection features 33 quilts acquired by the Smithsonian American Art Museum from Dr. Carolyn Mazloomi, founder of the Women of Color Quilters Network. These textiles capture profound narratives of Black history and culture through intricate craftsmanship and symbolic imagery. [More Information]
Phillips Weekly Zoom Meditation [Virtual Event] March 12, 12:45-2 PM | Virtual | FREE
Take a midday reset with this 30-minute meditation session led by yoga instructor Aparna Sadananda. Set a reminder: each week features contemplation inspired by a different artwork from the Phillips Collection, followed by an enlightening Spotlight Talk from a Phillips educator about the featured piece. This regular offering beautifully merges artistic appreciation with mindfulness practice. [Registration Required]
Opening for Exhibitions: Leon Berkowitz and Wayson Jones [Visual Art] March 15, 4-7 PM | Hemphill Artworks | FREE
Launch into Springtime with Leon Berkowitz and Wayson R. Jones's uniquely bold applications of color. Berkowitz's pieces create a trance-like experience, almost as if viewing the canvas through multiple dimensions. The paintings are reminiscent of an “aura reading,” yet possess a haunting depth that can only come from working with one's hands. It's almost unbelievable that these paintings were made by hand, though, as the diaphanous layers of paint show no sign of brushstrokes. In contrast, Wayson R. Jones's works erupt with texture and vibrant pigment that make you want to plunge your fingertips into the surface. The three-dimensionality of Jones's pieces blurs the boundaries between painting and sculpture and creates a new viewing experience from each angle. [More Information]
