First Friday Dupont: Art Walk

The Embassy of Portugal is showing “Terra Firme/Terra Fragil” by Elizabeth Casqueiro.  The artist is fascinated by the intricate interplay between nature, the built environment, and the individual self. Her work seeks to explore and capture the ways in which these three worlds intersect and interact, shaping the spaces we inhabit, the experiences we have within them, and the people we become.  In her paintings, she seeks to find the harmony in these seemingly disparate elements and to celebrate the ways in which they are woven together in our lives.  The artist will make brief presentations at 6:30, 7:00, and 7:30 p.m.  The Embassy of Portugal is located at 2012 Massachusetts Avenue, NW.

Gallery 2112 is a fine arts and decorative arts gallery on R Street NW among Gallery Row.  The gallery will be exhibiting paintings and sculpture created in the 1960s through the 1990s by various Washington artists.  The art walk is a great way to discover new styles or add to your collection. Gallery 2112 is located at 2112 R Street, NW.

During the month of December, International Arts & Artists at Hillyer will feature the works of Roger Mokbel, Kenny Harris and James Terrell. “First Friday” provides an opportunity to meet the artists in person and mingle with friends. IA&A at Hillyer is Dupont Circle’s largest nonprofit gallery, located in a carriage house at 9 Hillyer Court, NW – behind the Phillips Collection.  To learn more, visit www.athillyer.org.

The Middle East Institute Arts and Culture Center invites you to the opening of its latest exhibition, The Sea Of Life: Modern and Contemporary Art from the Kingdom of Bahrain.  Co-curated by Bahrain-based Hayfa Aljishi and MEI Arts and Culture Center Director Lyne Sneige, the exhibition features 14 artists spanning different generations and art forms exploring their connection to their natural and built environment through painting, photography, sculpture, video and installation. The 30 featured artworks offer a glimpse into the legacy of Bahrain’s pioneering artists, the evolving arts scene, and the ways in which younger generations are exploring new artistic expressions.  Participating artists are Rashid Al Khalifa, Marwa Al Khalifa, Mohammed Al Mahdi, Mariam AlNoaimi, Jaafar Al Oraibi, Abdul Karim Al-Orrayed, Mashael Alsaie, Jamal AlYousif, Nasser AlYousif, Ebrahim Bu Saad, Balqees Fakhro, Aysha Hafuz, Ghada Khunji, Abbas Yousif. The MEI Art Gallery is located at 1763 N Street NW.

Visit the Museum of the Palestinian People for the First Friday Dupont Art Walk.  On view this month is an exhibition titled, “Huna al Quds,” which portrays the cultural and artistic life in Jerusalem during the British mandate. There will be docents on site who can offer an in-depth exploration of the culture, arts, and history of Palestine. This has been a particularly difficult time for the people of Palestine.  We encourage those who have been wanting to learn more about Palestine to visit the museum.  And as always, we look forward to bringing together the community and welcoming new visitors to the museum. The Museum of the Palestinian People is located at 1900 18^th Street NW.

The National League of American Pen Women will be welcoming visitors on December 1 at its entrance on 17th Street NW.  This First Friday honors one of its founding members, Vinnie Ream Hoxie, and will feature art from its permanent collection. Come and enjoy the first floor of the beautiful, 136 year old Pen Arts building – a former mansion.  Visit www.nlapw.org or visit 1300 17th Street NW.

Barbara Bennett is pleased to host an art reception at Q Street Fine Art.  A treasure hunter’s paradise is located in a carriage house behind Saint Matthews Cathedral at 1 Saint Matthews Court, NW.  The gallery is currently showing new, original paintings and drawings by Rafael Gallardo.  Q Street Fine Art Gallery has relocated to 1 Saint Matthew’s Court NW – in the carriage house behind the Cathedral.  If lost, call telephone 202 255-2893.

Qatar American Institute for Culture is showing the public’s last opportunity to view the Perfumery Museum Expansion, as well as the show, “Pearls of Wonder: a digital era exhibition.:  Additionally, QAIC will be hosting a holiday market on the first floor. The market will include perfumes, clothing, jewelry and more designed by Arabs and Arab Americans. Qatar America Institute for Culture is located at 1319 18^th Street NW.

Studio Gallery presents, “Our Common Humanity, a Winter All Members Exhibit.” This show, curated by Lois Kampinsky and Sabiha Iqbal and coordinated by Lynda Andrews-Barry, explores how people face challenges on many levels, from environmental threats to global conflicts. Only by remembering our common humanity can we heal the world and move toward joy. Please join us for this group show featuring artworks selected from our historic cooperative of local artists. Studio Gallery is Washington D.C.’s longest running artist cooperative located at 2108 R Street NW.

Washington Center of ADA Art Gallery, an extension of ADA University’s Art Program, welcomes their Fall 2023 exhibition, “The Three-Body Problem” by Dale Appleman, Michal Hunter, Jack Rasmussen. The artists combine representational works, abstractions, and collages whose attractions are aesthetic rather than gravitational. The Three-Body Problem is a science fiction novel by Chinese writer Liu Cixin who observes that when two celestial objects get close to each other, their gravitational attraction influences the paths they take in a way that a simple mathematical formula can describe. But, when a third object is added, things are no longer so simple: the interactions between the three objects become unpredictable.  The Washington Center of ADA University aims to promote cultural awareness and advance cultural ties between the United States and Azerbaijan. Find us at 1627 21st Street, NW on the Gallery Row.

Join the Washington Studio School on First Friday for an exclusive preview of their Faculty Small Works Show! As part of their XOXO: Valentines in December celebration, they are showcasing small works from some of their favorite instructors, past and present.  All works will be for sale, so it’s the perfect chance to find a piece you love for yourself or a special art lover in your life.  The Washington Studio School is located at 2129 S Street NW.

The Woman’s National Democratic Club is proud to exhibit, “Painting Life Vividly” by Noreene Janus. A contemporary artist from Falls Church, Virginia, Janus is known for her large-scale abstract paintings filled with bold colors and striking lines. She finds inspiration from her previous international work and travel, specifically in Latin America. The dramatic colors and composition capture the vitality found in the local art, music, and dance she experienced while living in Mexico, Spain, and Guatemala. Join us at 6:30 pm for a short talk with artist Noreene Janus as she discusses her painting process! The Woman’s National Democratic Club is located at 1526 New Hampshire Avenue NW.  Visit them online to learn more at democraticwoman.org.