Whether you’re looking to do a casual Saturday museum stroll or you desperately need to update your Instagram feed, here’s where you can get your art fix in the D.C. area this spring.
Plan your outings, rain or shine, and take your SmarTrip card with you.
“Delita Martin: Calling Down the Spirits”
National Museum of Women in the Arts, now until April 19
You can’t miss the National Museum of Women in the Arts, which sits on a prominent corner of New York Avenue Northwest in downtown D.C., just a short walk from the Metro Center station.
And, yes, this is one of the few museums that charges admission, but if you visit on the first Sunday of a month, admission is free.
A current exhibit showcases the work of Texas-based artist Delita Martin, known for her layered, large-scale, vibrant portraits of black women.
Read more about the exhibit here.
Martin is also scheduled to give a two-hour lecture at the museum on Friday, March 20. Learn more about that event here.
Upcoming free community days are March 1 and April 5.
2/7
“Hearts of Our People: Native Women Artists”
Renwick Gallery, now until May 17
Deepen your knowledge of Native women artists with this traveling exhibit making its D.C. stop as part of a national tour.
On display are works offering a glimpse of the past, the present and the future of Native women artists, such as pottery from Maria Martinez, a painting from Kay WalkingStick and a woven sculpture from Cherish Parrish.
Learn more about the exhibit here.
Admission to the Renwick is free, and it’s a short walk from the Farragut North and Farragut West Metro stations.
3/7
“Hanami: Beyond the Blooms”
Artechouse, March 13 to May 25
Cherry blossom season is fast-approaching, and even before you see those famous pink buds around the Tidal Basin, Artechouse is putting on this bright, immersive digital show with illustrations from Japanese artist Yuko Shimizu.
The gallery, which opened in Southwest D.C. in 2017, blends art and technology together for interactive experiences.
You do have to buy tickets, but they’re slightly cheaper to buy online than buying them on-site.
4/7
“Which Yesterday is Tomorrow?”
Transformer, March 14 to April 25
Though Transformer is a gallery that’s small in square footage, its shows often pack a punch and features contemporary artists working today.
Its most recent show, ending in February, features intimate, striking photos from D.C.’s punk and DIY music scene by photographer Farrah Skeiky.
The upcoming “Which Yesterday is Tomorrow?,” by U.S.-based artists Dahlia Elsayed and Andrew Demirjian, will also feature works from other artists in the Southwest Asia and North Africa diaspora.
“This multi-sensory installation reimagines the Silk Road caravanserai as a potential site for the exchange of ideas and culture,” according to the gallery.
Transformer is open to the public from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m., Wednesdays – Saturdays, during exhibitions.
5/7
“One with Eternity: Yayoi Kusama in the Hirsshorn Collection”
Hirshhorn, April 4 to Sept. 20
Famed Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama may have never left the Hirshhorn, but her artistry returns in a big way this spring.
Catch two iconic “Infinity Mirror” rooms, and see her early paintings and sculptures. Your Instagram feed is about to explode.
Admission to the Hirshhorn is free, but timed passes are needed for this exhibit.
Glenstone Museum
Want to admire nature, modern art and architecture all in one place? Hop on a Montgomery County Ride On bus and head to Glenstone Museum in Potomac, Maryland.
See outdoor sculptures from Jeff Koons and Ellsworth Kelly, paintings from Kerry James Marshall and a video installation from Shirin Neshat.
Admission is free, but if you’re not coming by Ride On, you should book your visit online.
Photos aren’t allowed inside the museum itself, but you can take photos outside. Here’s more information from the museum’s website.
The Kreeger Museum
Maybe you don’t want to go all the way to Potomac. That’s OK, because you can get that similar mix of nature-architecture-art at The Kreeger Museum in Northwest D.C.
There’s a great sculpture garden that really shines on a sunny day. The museum is not easily accessible by public transportation, but there’s free parking.
There’s a suggested donation of $10 for adults.
It’s open 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. from Tuesday to Saturday. Get more information from the museum’s website.
