Crafty Bastards' Arts and Crafts Festival this weekend

Now in its 5th year, Crafty Bastards(sm) Arts & Crafts Fair is an exhibition and sale of handmade alternative arts and crafts from independent artists presented by the Washington City Paper. The fair is all-day, outdoors, free to attend, and will offer goods for sale, food, entertainment, prizes, and more!

There are two shows in the DC metro area this year: Saturday, June 28th in Silver Spring, MD and Sunday, September 28th in Adams Morgan DC.

Art Effecting Oceans

Artomatic's Pecha Kucha Night Tonight

Featured presenters include award-winning architect and philosopher Travis Price, multimedia artists Heather Schmaedeke and Greg McLellan, Trance/Dance vocalist/composer/producer Arainia, among others...

Organized and launched in March 2007 by architects Rouzita Vahhabaghai and Yiselle M. Santos Rivera, and artist and graphic designer Bita Vahhabaghai, Capitol Pecha Kucha promotes local DC creatives working in all media including the visual arts, architecture, design, music, fashion, film, and literature.

The Pecha Kucha Night patented presentation system allows presenters 20 images each shown for 20 seconds - giving 6 minutes 40 seconds of fame before the next presenter is up. Talks are concise, the interest level is constant, and more presenters receive the opportunity to share their work. Pecha Kucha --Japanese for the sound of conversation-- taps into a demand for a forum in which creative work can be easily and informally shown. The brainchild of Astrid Klein and Mark Dytham, Klein Dytham architecture, Tokyo, began in 2003 as a forum for designers to meet, network, and show their current work to the public, and has since spread to over 100 cities across the world. Please join us for the first Night of our Summer Edition - Volume 5 - taking place on the 12th Floor Lounge of the Artomatic Building.

Thursday, June 12, 2008
7:30pm - 10:00pm
Capital Plaza I - 12th Floor Lounge
1200 First Street, NE

Check out the Fendi Showroom in the Washington Design Center

If you are obsessed with HGTV and have your decorator's number on speed dial, you must check this out! DC is getting a bit more stylish... kudos!

Concrete Alchemy at Art Whino

Concrete Alchemy is a tour of 15 visual artists visiting five major urban centers on the East Coast. It is the first tour that creatively combines gallery shows, public panel discussions and numerous murals to present the artists' unique approach to public arts.

Thursday, May 22nd, 2008 - National Harbor, MD / Washington, DC

The art of Concrete Alchemy will be presented through slideshow of photographs of Ricardo Barros and public panel discussion. The event will start at 7 pm. After 10 pm, the artists will be presenting their work in Cue Bar on 1115 U Street NW, Washington DC 20009. This live demonstration of the artistic process will include customizing of hats and sneakers. The party is organized in collaboration with SolSource.

Friday, May 23rd, 2008 - National Harbor, MD

The tour will officially end with a gallery exhibit opening at Art Whino on Friday, May 23, 2008 from 6 pm to midnight. The audience will have chance to view artists' recently finished canvases and a slideshow of photographs from the previous days of the tour. These artists, who are major driving force in the contemporary urban arts, were carefully selected. Their work dictates the direction of future developments in mural art, graffiti and street art. It is not only for their technical perfection of painting with aerosol but also for their unique artistic approach to murals and public art. They possess the unique secrets of alchemists who transform one element into another. Under their touch, sterile concrete explodes, and a fresh, new organic nature sprouts through the cracks. As it develops into a dynamic and colorful forest, it presents us - the inhabitants - with new, pure life.

Thank you, Shane P.!

2008 Summer Olympic Games Image Launch

Mark T. Smith was selected to commemorate the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing.He was asked to create a poster reflecting the unique culture of China. Smith focused on a stylized dragon blowing flames onto the Olympic torch. The imaginary blue beast, a Chinese symbol of power is shown on a background of red, a color associated with good luck, prosperity and happiness.

Thursday, May 15, 2008
7:00pm - 9:30pm
Habatat Galleries

8020 Towers Crescent Drive
Tysons Corner, VA

Phone:7039897110
Email:infoVA@habatatgalleries.com

Lighting to Unite at the National Cathedral

See the Cathedral As You've Never Seen It BeforeFor three memorable nights in May, Swiss lighting artist Gerry Hofstetter brings his artistry to Washington National Cathedral for a spectacular exterior illumination of the south and west sides, in celebration of the Cathedral's centennial.

Numerous vivid images will be projected directly on the Cathedral sunset to midnight on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, illustrating its mission of reconciliation, spotlighting its role as a spiritual beacon for the nation, and proclaiming hope for all humankind.

The Illumination is Three nights: May 9, 10, & 11.

Dramatic and unifying images projected on the Cathedral. View from around Washington, D.C., and on the Cathedral grounds more

Artistic, vivid images on the south side visible from all over Washington. Photo-projections illustrating the unity of humankind on the west side (Wisconsin Avenue) side

Swiss artist Gerry Hofstetter makes his debut in the U.S. with this project. He is internationally known for lighting Antarctic icebergs, Egyptian pyramids, European churches, and more.

Live music Saturday evening. Special Sunday Service complete scheduleParking. Free on-site surface parking on Cathedral grounds. Additional parking available in the underground garageFood. Picnics welcome. Snacks, sweets, and beverages will be available for purchase on Saturday evening

Artomatic 2008

Held regularly since 1999, Artomatic is the Washington, D.C., area's
one-of-a-kind multimedia event, involving hundreds of regional artists,
performers and volunteers. The free event is an arts extravaganza, featuring
paintings, sculpture, photography, music, theater, poetry, dance and
workshops.Artomatic is conveniently located near the New York Ave Metro stop on
the Red Line. It runs until Sunday, June 15th.

There are over 100 free events during the 28 day run, all kicking off this Friday! Last year I had a bunch of friends involved, hopefully we will see even more this year! My pick? Chris Schwalm's photography exhibit featuring stunning examples from his travels. Artomatic is really one of those things you need to go to quite a few times... so mark your calendars!

Parisian Carte Blanche Party Tomorrow at the Phillips Collection

Join the Parisian Carte Blanche Party tomorrow night at The Phillips Collection for Soiree Carte Blanche #6. Tickets are just $12 at the door and let you enjoy a unique evening dancing amongst french films and electronica music while enjoying cocktails and light fare!

CuDC After Party

Looking for something Saturday night that may open your eyes to DC's artistic side? Head on over to the CuDC After Party at 1840 14th St NW. The party is at a raw space that will be filled with art, music, and of course fantastic food and drinks.

"CuDC promotes the development of sustainable arts spaces and offers programs that strengthen the capacity of artists and arts organizations in DC. A mouthful, I know. But basically, we work with pretty much every artist and arts organization in the city, not to mention developers, the city government and community development organizations."

Benefiting the Cultural Development Corporation, Saturday night's after party will dJ Neville C & dJ Fatback spinning dueling decades and cocktails provided by Skyy Vodka. Don't Miss it!

le femme: The Art of Leah Sarah Bassett

Don't miss le femme:The Art of Leah Sarah Bassett on April 25th at 6pm presented by Art Whino at the National Harbor in Maryland. DJ Stylo will be jamming with performances by I.R.E. & LaVondra Shinholster.

Live Art Event: X in DC

Head on over to X in DC on Saturday, for the Live Art Event being held at Be Bar 1318 9th St. NW Washington, DC.

This month's theme is "Green". Receive a reduced cover charge of $5 for incorporating this month's theme into your clothing. Also, be sure to bring an extra $25 to purchase a limited edition "X" T-shirt (totally environmental and respectful of human life.)

Sun, Moon, Star: 3 Windows @ the Embassy of Japan

Tomorrow, Thursday, April 17th, head on over to the Embassy of Japan to see Osaka Born DC artist Shinji Turner-Yamamamoto's 3 Window's exhibit, orgainzed by the Japanese Information and Cultural Center. The reception will be from 6:30-9pm and is free for those who RSVP to the Embassy at 202.238.6949. Come celebrate 100 years of relations between the United States and Japan and view the Embassy's tea house and garden!

Art Buzz Remix: Meet the Artists

Head on out to the Art Buzz Remix this evening hosted by the lovely Jade Floyd at the Grande Opening of the Jordan Flats in NE by Senate Realty! See the work of locals like Aidah Fontenot (the artist of the picture included) and more! From 5:30 to 8:30 meet with the artists and have the opportunity to purchase their work with 20% of all proceeds benefiting the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative.

ArtBuzz

Check out ArtBuzz tonight at 909 U Street, NW with Jade Floyd for an awesome evening of wine tasting and art. The event kicks off at 6:30 and runs until 9:30 and will be exhibiting live mannequins courtesy of Foreign Exchange Boutique. The evening benefits the DC Arts and Humanities Education Collaborative

The Art of Rulei Bu

The opening reception for the Art of Rulei Bu will be held from 7-10pm on March 22nd an HooplaDC. The accomplished oil painter has been living in DC since 1998 but first studied art at Shanghai University, China. His work has been praised by many in the art community. The event will feature organic wine and hors d'oeuvres and will be located in Hoopla's eco-friendly carriage house.

Indulge- A Night of Art, Wine, Good Food and Company

Art Whino launches Indulge: An evening of Art, Wine, Food and Music, March 15th, 2008 from 7 to 11p.m. at 717 N. Saint Asaph St. Alexandria, VA 22314.

Tickets - $20 in Advance or $25 at the Door. Admission price includes 3 drink vouchers to sample the three featured Robert Kacher wines. Cash Bar available all evening.

Talk About Eye-Candy!

George Clooney "mosaic" made from Jelly Belly jellybeans is featured at the Beverly Hills' Luxe Hotel will be auctioned off with proceeds going to a charity of Mr. Clooney's choice.

Michael "Marilyn" Musto

I hosted a party around this time last year for Mr. Michael Musto of the Village Voice for his book "La Dolce Musto" and could not have met a more eclectic crowd. I fell in love with all of the hilarious personalities in attendance (not the usual Georgetowners), but as the picture shows, few could out do the guest of honor, Mr. Musto himself.

I just about wet my J. Brands when I saw these photos of Musto displaying it ALL in mockery of Miss Lohan's recent photo shoot channeling the late Marilyn Monroe.

DCist Exposed Photography Event

Civilian Art Projects Opening Event sponsored by DCist this Friday. Check out DCist for more info.