The Art Soiree's "Grand Launch Fine Art's Series" at the Ritz-Carlton in Georgetown has finally won…read moreme over... Yes, I went to their Oscar Viewing Party at the same location almost a year ago, and yes, (or no) they still can not get seats, sofas or anything to SIT on in the Grand Ballroom of the Ritz in G'twn.... Having said that... the driving force behind this, 30-something Sandro Kereselidze, is one tough customer... Did you know that The Art Soiree is celebrating their 4th anniversary in Wash DC this Sunday? How many clubs and after-hours boutiques can say that?! In a city where where disposable income flirts with every new restaurant opening, and just as quickly moves on to the next "hot spot," that is quite the accomplishment! I like to think that I "made my bones" in Yelp by giving the "true scoop" on anything and everything happening in the DC area... Well folks, here it is: NEWSFLASH: Art Soiree is slowly, but surely, reshaping the DC landscape for the arts: Sandro & Company is relentless in his quest to bring and showcase art & artists in the Washington DC area... That is not only a good thing, but as a DC native myself, I can say that Sandro has achieved in 4 short years what all the NSO (National Symphony Orchestra) galas and Kennedy center events have yet to attain: a truly "grass-roots appeal." Tonight's art exhibition featured Pakistani artist and long-time DC area resident, Sandar Aziz. You can view his work at: sandargallery.com. His hauntingly impressionistic DC landscapes offer something for everyone's budget, with paintings ranging from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. As an investor with some experience (and a lot of luck!), this is an investment opportunity that will only go up in value! *(see below) Elegant in it's simplicity, the Ritz's upper ballroom in Georgetown was host to another Art Soiree event with beautiful canvases adorning the walls in a stylistic and casual chic atmosphere. Yep, this is definitely what DC has been missing: Art presented in casual, yet sophisticated, venue... kinda cool to NOT be in NYC and say that 'eh? I've only got one question: what does it take to get some sofas and chairs?? First time I went to Chanel in Bal Harbor, Fl., I was ushered to a back room, seated on a sofa and served complimentary Moet Champagne... Now that left a lasting impression.... Hint: Throw in some comfy seating, some fine Bordeaux, Napa Cabs, or champagne, and next thing your know, people are reaching for their checkbook! Gotta give props to Sandro & Co. for cleverly and persistently either creating, or capitalizing on the DC market appetite for art and artistic expression. Now if they could only get some comfortable seating at these events, I will 5-star them in a "DC minute"! * (opinion of reviewer)

I went to VOYO WOO art show at Art Soiree in Georgetown and it was AMAZING! I really loved the…read morepaper artwork and the presentation of everything was top notch! Easily one of the best shows I have been to in the DC area. ART Soiree is truly a leader in the emerging DC art scene and I can't say enough good things about them. I highly recommend you go to their events because you are sure to have a good time. Trust me. Just go. Chris

The Jerusalem Fund that houses the gallery is a non profit org, but as I discovered when I visited…read more--- not a political organization. The organization encompasses people and cultures from varied Middle Eastern backgrounds such as Palestine and Iraq. This building is also the home for the Palestine Center, which is a think tank which basically communicates the Palestinian point of view to the policymakers. With the situation in the part of the world going on now, this organization and gallery is becoming very informative and eye opening. At the gallery, there are events going on monthly such as book talks; art exhibits; Arabic calligraphy and receptions. Their website contains some really interesting articles, too.

This place is great! I was one of the featured artists here during one of their last gallery shows…read moreand it was an amazing experience. The curator was knowledgeable, kind and very attentive to all the gallery guests and artists. It was a big crowd that came to the show, which means that they are very involved in the community and have a big reach. This is a wonderful location to showcase Middle Eastern art and artists.

A historic building with an ostentatious name which has somehow eluded my attention until now. It…read morehouses a free (!) art gallery, which is just a big room with a little add-on at street level. The basement is open and is also visibly historic, but doesn't have much in the way of art. It does have cool air and a restroom. The scope of the art gallery clearly isn't large (bearing in mind that a free art gallery the size of a mansion is ho-hum by DC standards), but I enjoyed what they had and it was a perfect use of the time I had to spend on it. Surprisingly enough, they seem to allow people to bring their dogs inside.

All of the Athenaeum staff was excellent to work with. During the initial planning stages, Veronica…read moreand Richard were my main points of contact, both of whom were very helpful answering questions. They were happy to entertain our questions both via email and during the various trips to check out the space. The contract process was fairly straight forward and fortunately renting out the space includes both the art gallery and the outside garden (it rained on our wedding day and the ceremony was initially going to take place in the garden). A few days before the wedding, we were informed that Amanda would be the staffer on hand on the actual wedding day. I sent Amanda my proposed timeline and we reviewed it over the phone. She was willing to assist with flow of show and confirming chair and floral deliveries/set up. She advised us of some renovations that were taking place in the alley behind the garden, which is where the ceremony was originally going to take place. While the staff had not previously informed us of the planned renovation, it all worked out in the end. Amanda emailed me photos of the renovations, offered alternate solutions to ensure the scaffolding wouldn't be as visible, emailed the contractor to ensure they would be done with the renovations for the day prior to our scheduled photo time and ceremony start time, and offered to be at the venue early to ensure that everything was clean. When I realized it was likely going to rain on the wedding day, I emailed Amanda asking for a quick discussion on a rain plan. She contacted me right away to confirm a time and we spoke the morning of the wedding to come up with a rain plan. She handled the new set up with both the chair rental company and the florist. The set up came out beautifully. Also, one of the photographers left a water behind and Amanda emailed me about the item so I was able to retrieve it the next day. I would definitely rent this space again!

I have walked by this small domed area without realizing it. The structure almost looks like a…read moresnack bar. Just walk beside it to the entrance and go downstairs. There are a lot of hidden gems underground. The Ripley Center is beside the Smithsonian Castle. and the Freer Gallery. You can take Smithsonian metro or the Red line Circulator bus ( stop 4 if you don't mind walking across the grounds or stop 13 if you have an extra 25 minutes and want to be dropped off out front). The Ripley Center is a popular stop for schools. There are wonderful programs for students. The lower level has classrooms where groups can make art projects and learn about art. The building also has a lecture hall, the Discovery theater and wonder exhibits that change from time to time. The National Museum of African Art is connected to the building. You don't have to exit to see the exhibits. The Freer Gallery is on the same block. These are just three of the gems right beside each other. It is especially convenient when the weather is hot or rainy. If you have time for another adventure, the castle is just a few yards away from the domed shaped structure. It is a perfect meeting place outside. The museums are free. The circulator buses are currently free. Win-win.

Lecture Hall Under the Mall! I attended my first Smithsonian…read moreAssociate Program (8/2/19). The Venue: The most exciting thing is the S. Dillion Ripley Center is located Below Ground-under The National Mall. You enter the Via a small circular Building across the street from the Smithsonian Metro Station. Note: You Must Walk Down Many Stairs once inside. The place is very spacious, once below ground W/towering high ceilings. The center includes: Several lecture halls, movie theater space & conference rooms. The Food: Coffee, Bottled Water, Pastries & Snacks Available for purchases just outside lecture hall. The Program: "The Splendors Of The English Country House" 400 years in 7.5 hrs on the art, architecture, decor & people who created these homes & history. The program covered historical periods & significant architectural themes including: Elizabethan, Palladian (Neo-Classical), Victorian. I was most interested in learning more about Neo-Classical Architecture & it's driving force Robert Adam. He is credited w/popularizing This architecture in America. Most notable "The Federal Style" we see here in Washington, DC i.e. the Capitol & the National Archives best examples in my opinion. The lecture hall is quite comfortable-well padded Seats. We had a (1 hr) lunch break-eat on your own. I left the venue & got a polish sausage from a vendor on the mall & bottle water & a croissant From vendor outside our lecture hall. All tasted good. The Smithsonian Associates Program: Is an annual membership based program. Members receive a reduced cost per program And receive a monthly program via U.S. Mail Detailing upcoming programs. Non-Member pay a slightly higher ticket price For programs & learn about programs Via members or the Associate's latest programs Via the Smithsonian website: "Smithsonian.edu" It was a very informative day overall. A few participants I met had been to many Of these lectures, speaking well of the presenters. The staff I engaged w/all professional/courteous. Worth another visit.

I have two dear friends who are history nerds like me, and one of them found out about the tours of…read morethis historic place. We went on 10/31 - BOO! We arrived early and spent several minutes enjoying the displays in the small visitor center. There is so much history there, we were surprised to keep discovering things none of us knew before. And one minored in history in college! After reading and admiring most of the displays, it was time to start the tour. It's a short walk from the visitor center, along a path made of oyster shells, to the house itself. It must have been so grand back in the 1800's - it's huge and the sweeping front drive would allow one to see the entire front of the building. We had a docent and their "shadow", a new docent learning the ropes, who were very informative and easy to be around. The tour actually starts in the "dependency", which we learned is just a fancy word for "outbuilding". ;) Fascinating to see how the enslaved persons would have cooked on a fireplace, although we weren't there for a demonstration. They do have those, though, so check for dates and times. Next was the big house and we covered the main rooms and a few rooms upstairs. Each room that is furnished had a story about the people who lived or visited. Many of the furnishings are original pieces; some returned from people who had acquired them over time, and some that remained when the last owner lived there. It's well worth an hour of your time if you like history and seeing some beautiful architecture, furnishings, and the like.

I enjoyed the demonstration. Kathy and Barbra taught me a lot. Between the cooking it felt like a…read morehistory lesson on much more, while also feeling like we were gossiping in the kitchen

This is a cool spot. My friend and I visited for their Dia de Los Muertos exhibit, an altar to the…read moresky, made by Mexican artist Paloma Vianey, and it was free admission. They are open until 6 PM during the week. This is further up 16th St NW and not downtown as I originally thought, so a bus will get you here easily. The exhibit closes on November 26. Worth a visit!

What a treat to have visited the Mexican Cultural Institute. From 1921-1989 the historic mansion…read morehoused the Embassy of Mexico. Located in the SW section of the Columbia Heights neighborhood, it's an easy walk from either the Columbia Heights or U street stops on the green line. It's an impressive building with gorgeous murals surrounding the central staircase. On the 4th floor was an exhibit featuring the stunning artwork of Francisco Loza (spring 2024). It wasn't crowded when we stopped in on a Tuesday morning. Free to enter, just PUSH on the door to enter or ring the bell for help from the security staff.

This is a small, unassuming gallery and frame shop and most of you have probably never heard of…read moreOrchard Gallery because as far as I know it has never been written about in any of the local press. Part of that is because the owners, a very nice and unassuming Korean couple, don't seem to be too concerned with the press. As far as I know, they don't even send out press releases (at least to me), although they do participate in the monthly Bethesda Art Walks. But they are doing something right that seems to have escaped most galleries these days: they are selling a lot of artwork. When I first walked into Orchard a few years ago, I was expecting to find the usual mediocre art that one finds on the walls of most art venues that rely on framing as a business. I was pleasantly surprised not only by the quality of the artwork (at the time they were showing a recent MICA MFA graduate whose name escapes me now), but also by the fact that the framing business does not interfere with the art gallery space at all. It's a clean, minimalist art space. The owners were very nice and warm, and were genuinely surprised when I identified myself (they had no idea who I was anyway), described what I do, and then told them that I really liked the work. I also noted that there were a lot of red dots. Over the next couple of years, every time that I find myself around Norfolk Avenue, I drop by into Orchard to check out their shows. I haven't been WOW'd every time, but I've never been disappointed. It is clear that the owners have a particular taste and sensibility that is working for them. And I've always seen a lot of red dots. What's even more refreshing is that in these times of austere fiscal environments, when galleries are closing all over the nation, and where they turn away new artists by the droves, Orchard's website still says: "We encourage local and emerging artists to contact us for details on our monthly gallery exhibits." Orchard, my kudos to you. Keep doing whatever you are doing to put original artwork on peoples' walls.

Honfleur Gallery is a small, contemporary art gallery in Anacostia. It's in a beautiful space in…read morehistoric Anacostia right next to the Anacostia Arts Center. The space is in one single open room with two benches to sit on as you observe the art. They rotate exhibits often always giving people a reason to stop by. Like many other galleries in the city, it's free. They also host events from time to time.

First off, I need to tell you the area this gallery is kinda sketch. Like, really sketch. It is a…read morepretty new art place - the owner told me the space used to be a pawn shop. So yeah, nice neighborhood. Um..not really. I'm sure if the stadium project happens, this hood is going to turn around like U Street has, but until then -- enjoy the view of a burned out building. And if you get hungry there is a take out pizza place right next door so there's a plus. I got a preview of the show going on now (although I heard a rumor they had to postpone the opening due to some maintenance/construction issues). If you have ever said "Art is boring," the No Scratchers exhibit is for you. You'll see photos of people in ink (that means tattoos to those folks not in the know). Really beautiful, unique, and not the norm as far as "art" goes.