First Friday Dupont: Art Walk

The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office welcomes you to the festively decorated historic Fraser Mansion for a special exhibition presented by United for Human Rights, Youth for Human Rights DC Chapter, and Art Impact® International to celebrate human rights! We join Youth for Human Rights in celebrating 25 years creating advocates for human rights!  The show features four artists with a variety of styles who will be present to discuss their art with you. Come and enjoy the artwork and meet the artists who stand united for human rights!  Roslyn Cambridge • Multi-media, Abstract Collage Fine Artist  Carolyn Goodridge • Encaustic Painter  Patrick Smith • Modern Art Portraitist  J. Thomas Wells • Assemblage Fine Artist

Dupont Underground will be open and presenting 21 portraits from the 1000 Dreams Project: Refugee stories in their own words. Refugees (and others experiencing forced migration) are often depicted as either a threat to the host society and their identity, or, helpless victims who must be rescued. The interviews and photographs that make up “1000 Dreams” have been produced by more than 90 refugees worldwide, providing a first-hand account. Every refugee storyteller has completed a workshop and mentorship program with Witness Change, where they’ve learned photography and interviewing skills. This is a project about refugees, by refugees. Dupont Underground is located at 19 Dupont Circle, NW.

IA&A at Hillyer in January will present three new exhibitions: Jun Lee, “Unbreakable Elements,” Calliandra Marian Hermanson, “of permutations and patterns,” and Prescott Lassman, ”RESIST.” IA&A is Dupont Circle’s largest art gallery located in a carriage house behind the Phillips Collection.  Admission is free but a $10 donation is suggested.  IA&A at Hillyer is located at 9 Hillyer Court NW.

As we enter into the New Year, the Museum of the Palestinian People wanted to highlight their temporary exhibit, Gaza Remains the Story. With only two weeks left before the exhibit is closed, the MPP invites you all to come see the works of Gazan artists who have continued to work on their craft and tell their stories while living under the brutal Zionist occupation. The exhibit portrays the deep connection that the Palestinian people of Gaza have with the land, and illustrates a key point; Palestinians will remain in Gaza regardless of the violence that they are forced to endure at the hands of the Zionist state. The Museum of the Palestinian People is located at 1900 18th St. NW.

As Q Street Fine Art and Barbara Bennett welcome the New Year 2026, we look forward to greeting friends and new visitors to the Dupont January First Friday Art Walk.  The gallery will feature paintings by Rafael Gallardo as well as show watercolor work by Aleme Tadasse and 3 D creations by William Perry.  The gallery is located at 1 Saint Matthew’s Court and is behind an iron gate nestled in a courtyard off the alleyway behind Saint Matthew’s Cathedral.  There is a gallery sign at the entrance and call for further directions: 202 255 2893.

Studio Gallery returns from its winter break to join the First Friday ArtWalk with two new exhibitions:  “We Were Always Here,” and “In The Spirit of Community: Ceramics in Greenbelt, MD”! Studio Gallery is located at 2108 R Street, NW.

Join us for an exciting evening at The Ven at Embassy Row, Washington, D.C., a Tribute Portfolio Hotel for the continuation of a captivating solo exhibition by internationally acclaimed photo artist Sebastian Schuster. Witness the artist’s unique exploration of beauty through contrast in his stunning artworks, mainly in the form of digital collages. Immerse yourself in a world of creativity and inspiration as you mingle with fellow art enthusiasts. Don’t miss this opportunity to experience art in a whole new light! The Ven is located at 2015 Massachusetts Avenue, NW.

Vika Gallery’s Holding Space exhibition is now on view, featuring work by Ainsley Burrows, Carter Wynne, Chris Corson, Jamilla Okubo, and Xenia Gray. The work explores the importance of holding space for oneself and for one another to create environments and communities that foster growth and discovery. We examine the quiet, intentional acts of care that sustain us, including being gentle with ourselves, showing kindness to others, allowing room for vulnerability, and listening without judgment. The work also confronts the consequences of failing to hold space and reveals how isolation, burnout, misunderstanding, and disconnection emerge when empathy and self care are neglected. Vika Gallery is located at 1700 Connecticut Ave (entrance on R Street). vikagallery.org

The Washington Center of ADA University, ADA Art Gallery presents “Light Works” by Mira Hecht.  Mira Hecht’s paintings explore life’s transience, fragility and profound interconnection.  Built through the slow layering of transparent veils of oil paint, her luminous abstractions reveal radiant color, depth, and a kaleidoscopic interplay of light.  Light, both material and symbolic, is central to her work – illuminating form while embodying awareness, hope, and healing.  Her work calls us to awaken to our shared vulnerability and to live with respect, compassion and unity. The ADA Art Gallery is located at 1627 21st Street, NW on the corner of 21st & R Street NW.