Art in the Capital

As we await the reopening of Washington, D.C.’s most historic art collections at places such as the National Gallery of Art and the Smithsonian American Art Museum, there are plenty of other artistic treasures to discover in our nation’s capital right now.

A contemporary icon, the Phillips Collection at Dupont Circle has reopened just in time for its 100th anniversary. A new exhibit entitled “Seeing Differently: The Phillips Collects for a New Century” honors artistic evolutions from the 19th century to now through multimedia work from over 200 artists.

As the only major museum in the world dedicated to uplifting women artists, the newly reopened National Museum of Women in the Arts (NMWA) has two new exhibits on display: Sonya Clark’s “Tatter, Bristle, and Mend,” which showcases textile art that speaks to the Black experience; and photographer Mary Ellen Mark’s “Girlhood” that depicts images of girls and young women from around the globe.

The great contemporary and modern works housed within the Hirshhorn Museum are still off limits to the public, but the museum’s outdoor sculpture garden is open. Look for Alexander Calder’s “Two Discs” that graces the entrances, along with dramatic works such as Auguste Rodin’s “Burghers of Calais” and “Walking Man.”

Culture House may be a relatively new addition to the art scene, but this 15,000-square-foot art space is housed in a repurposed 19th century Black Baptist Church. Within the brightly painted structure in Southwest Washington, D.C., are the equally vibrant works of Eric Uhlir in the current exhibition of “Before, After and In Between” — exploring the interaction and conflict between human civilization and the natural world.

A small space with a big legacy, Hamiltonian Artists is devoted to nurturing emerging and cutting-edge artists. In partnership with the Culture House, this U Street institution has named its five fellows who will be sharing their works through 2022: Maria Luz Bravo, Jason Bulluck, Joey Enriquez, Stephanie Garon and Lionel Frazier White III.

You’ll feel like a D.C. insider when you visit these museums and galleries scattered around our nation’s capital. Book your stay at Washington, DC, White House and infuse your getaway with a true cultural foray.