Nine painters, including Scott Hitchison of Arlington, have been selected as finalists for the Bethesda Painting Awards, a juried competition and exhibition produced by the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District. Some 200 artists from Maryland, Virginia and Washington, D.C., submitted work to the second-annual competition created to exclusively honor painters. The work of the nine finalists will be on display at the Fraser Gallery from June 7 – July 12. Contact the Bethesda Arts & Entertainment District at 301-215-6660 or visit www.bethesda.org.
Artist Roundtable: The MFA Graduate Experience in 2006 at 7 p.m. at the Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington on Thursday, July 13. In the current New Art Examined: Work by 2006 MFA Graduates in the Mid-Atlantic States discuss their work, the current academic environment, and the experience of entering the commercial art world when the market is hot. Free, reservations not required, but are appreciated. Call 703-248-6800 or visit www.arlingtonartscenter.org.
The Scrolls, a traveling international arts project that asks the question, "Why?" will be at the Museum of Modern ARF, 1116 N. Hudson St., Arlington through July 14. The Scrolls is an international discourse and “rolling” conversation amongst artists regarding the war in Iraq, including works by eight Iraqi artists currently living in Baghdad. The exhibition also contains a scroll created by artists from Washington, D.C., and Arlington. Visit http://modernarf.smugmug.com/gallery/1413618.
Dogs and Cats Living Together: Uncommon Household Pets is an exhibition of large oils and watercolors by John Aaron at The Clarendon Grill, 1101 N. Highland St., Arlington, from now through July 22. The opening reception will be May 31 from 6-9 p.m. Call 703-524-7455.
See rarely seen comedies from the silent and early sound eras at the Slapsticon Festival, held July 20 – 23 at the Rosslyn Spectrum. It is an opportunity to view films that are some of the earliest creative efforts in the development of motion picture comedy. Included are such well know artists as Buster Keaton, Charley Chaplin, Fatty Arbuckle and Harold Lloyd, and some not so well known, Larry Semon, Bobby Vernon, Snub Pollard, Monty Banks and Alice Howell. Check out the lineup at http://www.slapsticon.org, or call 703-228-1841.
"Swimmers, Dreamers and Divas" Monotypes, Monoprints, Prints and Chine Colle by Maureen George will be at Rosslyn Spectrum Theatre Lobby Gallery, 1611 N. Kent St. from June 29 – July 27. Open during theatre hours: Monday – Friday from Noon to 3 p.m., Saturday, June 10 from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.
The Arlington Arts, 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington, Center presents New Art Examined: Works by 2006 MFA Graduates in the Mid-Atlantic Region from June 20 – Aug. 5. The opening reception will be June 23. Call 703-248-6800 or visit www.arlingtonartscenter.org.
Artist Jill Romanoke's exhibit "Exposing Papers" will be shown at Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington through Aug. 5. Arlington Arts Center hours are 11 a.m. - 5 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. Call 703-248-6800 or visit www.arlingtonartscenter.org.
Conversions: The Ellipse Arts Center and WPA/Corcoran Juried Exhibition is a site specific juried show with the following Mid-Atlantic artists: Renee Butler, Kathryn Cornelius, Susan Eder and Craig Dennis, Tai Hwa Goh, M. Sedestrom Guthrie, Lisa M. Kellner, Michele Kong, Tomas Rivas, Joan Sarah Wexler, Ami Martin Wilbur and Amy Glengary Yang running from July 20-Sept. 29. Juried by Heather and Tony Podesta, collectors, Dennis O'Neil, Handprint Workshop International, and Sam Gilliam, Washington DC artist. The Ellipse Arts Center is located at 4350 N. Fairfax Drive, Arlingtion. Call 703-228-7710 or visit http://www.arlingtonarts.org/arts_comm/exhibitions.htm#ellipse.
The Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority announces an art exhibit at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport featuring the work of artists from The Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town Alexandria. The exhibit is sponsored by The Friends of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, a non-profit membership organization that promotes awareness and appreciation of the visual arts through community outreach programs, exhibits and events in support of The Torpedo Factory. The exhibit runs through December and is located in the hallway between the old terminal and the new terminal.
Arlington Artists Alliance offers educational programs and public exhibitions at a variety of locations in Arlington. Participating artists include painters, printmakers, ceramicists and sculptors, who are Arlington residents. The group sponsors classes, mentor programs and scholarships through its Alliance Academy. Call 703-894-0539 or visit http://www.arlingtonartistsalliance.org.
The Woodmont Weavers is an artisan group of developmentally disabled adults, sponsored by the Arlington County Department of Human Services and the Arlington Community Services Board. Since 1988, the weavers have turned out hand-woven products of wool, cotton and fiber blends, learning independence and developing technical and social skills along the way. The hand-woven textiles include placemats, pillows, totes and hats and are for sale to the general public. The Weavers work regular hours and are paid for their products. They welcome custom orders. Visit the Weavers' Studio Monday-Friday from 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. at the Ballston Common Mall, third floor, 4238 Wilson Blvd. Call 703-528-9474 or e-mail Sally Lloyd at slloyd@arlingtonva.us.
View Auriel Bessemer's historic murals. Bessemer was commissioned by the Treasury Department's Section of Fine Art to help beautify local federal buildings in the 1930s and '40s. The murals are at Arlington Central Library, 1015 N. Quincy St. They are normally on display high on the walls of Arlington's Main Post Office, which is currently being renovated. They will be returned to the post office next fall. Contact Caroline Danforth at 703-228-3771.
The Ballston Art Market returns to Welburn Square offering original creations for home decor, gifts and personal use, including handmade jewelry, pottery, quilts, wearable art, giftware, watercolors, oil paintings and photography. The monthly outdoor market operates from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. the first Saturday of every month. Different artists exhibit each month. Artists are juried by a select panel. Welburn Square is adjacent to the Metro station at 9th and N. Stuart streets, near the Ballston Common Mall. Call 703-228-0560 or 703-528-3527.
"Art at the Heights." Exhibition of works by local painters. 4502 Old Lee Highway. Every Saturday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m., and Sunday, noon-3 p.m. Showings sponsored by the Arlington Artists Alliance, a nonprofit organization in support of art and artists in Arlington.
Antiques and Collectibles Market. Year-round Saturday event. 2900 Wilson Blvd. About 50 vendors. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Free parking available at 3033 Wilson Blvd.
Figure Drawing Open Studio Sessions. Nude model is provided, but there is no instructor. Participants bring their own materials. At the Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd., Wednesdays from 7-9:30 p.m. and Saturdays from noon-2:30 p.m. No reservation necessary. Cost is $60 in advance for six sessions or $15 per session for drop-ins. Call 703-248-6800.
The Arlington Arts Center is offering adult classes in Drawing, Painting, Mixed-Media Acrylic Painting, and Photography at the Arlington Arts Center, 3550 Wilson Blvd., Arlington. This is the first time the AAC will offer summer classes for adults since the center reopened in 2005 after extensive renovation. AAC prides itself in having small classes with individualized instruction by professional, working artists. Classes are reasonably priced and members receive a discounted tuition. Other tuition assistance is available. A full listing is available on the art center Web site at www.arlingtonartscenter.org. Early registration is encouraged to ensure a place in classes. Call 703-248-6800.