This Week In The DMV ..

This week there will be THREE great free events to attend, that I will be spotlighting. Two will be held at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and the other will be held at the National Portrait Gallery.

1) Local Color: Washington Painting at Mid century
This exhibit will show twenty-seven works of art that were created by Washington DC artist from the 1950 - 70s. These paintings will show the various styles of artists that lived in DC during the time of the biggest change. The artists that will be featured Leon Berkowitz, Gene Davis, Thomas Downing, Sam Gilliam, Fel Hines, Jacob Kainen, Howard Mehring, Paul Reed, and Alma Thomas.

2) Aaron Douglas: African American Modernist
Have you ever read the works of Langston Hughes and Bessie Smith? If you have you understand how important their work was to ordinary citizens but don't you wonder how the artists of the time were affected. During the Harlem Renaissance, Aaron Douglas, an artist, led a movement of bold, creative paintings, murals, and book illustrations. SO ACT FAST THE EXHIBIT ENDS AUGUST 3.

3) Exhibition: RECOGNIZE! Hip Hop and Contemporary Portraiture
Hip Hop est. 1970, that alone sums up this exhibit. Since 1970 hip hop has been documented by enthusiasts and artists. The exhibit will show the graffiti, photography, and paintings of artists, events, and poets who impacted the most powerful genre of music right now HIP HOP.