First Friday: Art Walk

The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office is hosting an engaging and energetic one-man portrait exhibition including famous civil rights and human rights figures. A live painting demonstration will be done throughout the evening by the award-winning realism artist, Patrick Smith, who will also answer your questions about his art. The show is sponsored as part of the 25th anniversary of Youth for Human Rights International. The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office is in the Fraser Mansion, 1701 20th Street, NW.

The Embassy of Peru is showcasing an exhibit on the natural reserves of Peru: Biodiversity and Landscapes. Protected natural areas are spaces where communities, their culture, and nature come together harmoniously under a single purpose꞉ to conserve the most important elements of our natural heritage. For this reason, the National Service of State‑Protected Natural Areas (Sernanp) has the mission of preserving the vast biological diversity and the stunning landscapes they encompass, as well as promoting the sustainable use of natural resources for the benefit of local populations. The Embassy of Peru is located at 1700 Massachusetts Avenue, NW.

Come join the Heurich House Museum for the final night of A [New] American Dream, an . Doors open at 6pm for a live music performance in the historic music room featuring Lee Drutman & Matthew Chervenak. The entire first floor will be open, free of charge, for guests to enjoy the sounds of local artists and explore the exhibit. What do you dream for America over the next 250 years? A [New] American Dream won't give you the answers. Every gathering in this project will put you in the room with others who care about what comes next. Immediately following, grab a local craft beer or glass of wine in the biergarten while enjoying a live DJ. The Heurich House Museum is located at 1307 New Hampshire Avenue, NW.

IA&A at Hillyer will present three exhibitions: Sunanda Khajuriah, "Beyond Borders: Who I Am Between Homes," Elizabeth Casqueiro, "Counterspace," and Mona Borzorgi, "Threading the Gaze." Take this opportunity to meet the artists in person and to mingle with friends. Admission is free but a $10 donation is suggested. IA&A at Hillyer is located at 9 Hillyer Court NW (behind The Phillips Collection).

The Korean Cultural Center Washington, D.C. (KCCDC) proudly presents Perhaps, All of Us, a touring exhibition of contemporary art organized by the Seoul Museum of Art (SeMA) as part of Korea's Touring K-Arts Project. Inspired by the shared identity of capital cities, Perhaps, All of Us explores the themes of publicness, historicity, and diversity through the lens of contemporary Korean art and the eyes of visionary artists. Location: 2370 Massachusetts Ave. NW.

The MEI Art Gallery at the Middle East Institute will be open for First Friday on August 7th, 2026. They will be presenting a live performance by pioneering duo Sons of Yusuf, brothers Ya’koob and AbdulRahman, who blend rap with traditional Arabic instruments, poetry, and storytelling into music they call “Arabhop.” Born in Kuwait and living between Kuwait and Los Angeles, they work as cultural ambassadors, using music rooted in Middle Eastern heritage to carry Kuwaiti and Gulf identity to audiences far beyond the region. The Middle East Institute is located at 1763 N St. NW.

The Museum of the Palestinian People is highlighting our new exhibit titled From Lily's View: The Life and Photography of Lily Bandak (1948 - 2021). Lily Bandak, a Palestinian photographer born in Jordan, developed multiple sclerosis in her later years. This exhibition aims to highlight the steadfastness of the Palestinian people amid the difficulties and challenges they face. Palestinians continue to build lives, communities, and preserve culture amidst the Israeli occupation's efforts of displacement and fragmentation. Similarly, Bandak refused to allow her physical limitations to determine her ability to educate others and preserve her Palestinian culture.The Museum of the Palestinian People is located at 1900 18th St. NW.

Join us this First Friday in the heart of Dupont Circle as the National League of American Pen Women (NLAPW) opens its historic doors to the public from 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM. Step inside one of Washington, DC’s most inspiring cultural landmarks and discover the rich history of an organization that has championed excellence in the arts, letters, and music for more than a century. Whether you’re an artist, writer, musician, or simply someone who appreciates creativity and culture, this is a wonderful opportunity to explore all that NLAPW has to offer. The NLAPW is located at 1300 17th Street NW.

Studio Gallery presents “It Was The Best of Times. It Was…” which is a Summer All-Member Group Show, curated by Sabiha Iqbal and Carolee Jakes. The title, taken from Charles Dickens novel, A Tale of Two Cities gives artists the freedom to express their thoughts as they wish. Studio Gallery is located at 2108 R Street, NW.

Vika Gallery presents Metamorphosis, an exhibition that explores the beauty and complexity of transition, growth, and the courage required to embrace life’s inevitable evolution. Through this body of work, Bran Cherie reflects on resilience, transformation, and the continual pursuit of balance, inviting viewers to consider the deeply personal intersections of change, healing, and mental and emotional well-being. Grounded in the four stages of the butterfly's life cycle, Metamorphosis draws thoughtful parallels to the four elements, the four seasons, and the four pillars of resilience, revealing the interconnected rhythms that shape both nature and the human experience. Each stage represents a distinct phase of becoming, illustrating that transformation is neither linear nor instantaneous, but an ongoing process of adaptation, renewal, and self-discovery. Vika’s artist talk begins at 7pm. Vika is located at 1700 Connectuct Ave. NW, on the lower level.

Dial 100# on the buzzer to enter the building and make your way to the lower level.

Come out for the 1st Friday Art Walk in Dupont: Washington Center of ADA Art Gallery is featuring ‘Forward Seasons” by Chong Kang & Elizabeth Keithline. Kang and Keithline paint contemporary abstract environments using color and composition to mirror the joy, energy and movement of contemporary life. From the caves of Lascaux, to the cathedrals of Rome to the post-war Abstract Expressionist movement, art is often created as a reaction to the time in which it is made. Contemporary art continues to express current circumstances—in this case, the noise and chaos of the 21st century. Kang captures this expression through bright, sometimes neon color and graphic line. Keithline uses pale colors and softer lines to express a need for serenity as a panacea for modern times. The Washington Center of ADA University is a non-profit organization located near Dupont Circle at 1627 21st Street NW.

Washington Studio School is back for another exciting First Friday in our gallery August 7th from 6 PM to 8 PM for a special opening of Hiroshima Revisited, a powerful commemorative exhibition featuring works by atomic bomb survivor Misuzu Fukeda and artist Yumiko Glover, granddaughter of another war survivor. Spanning generations, this dual-artist show creates an evocative dialogue across time, moving from raw emotion to the intellectual processing of survival, memory, and the enduring impacts of war. Washington Studio School is located at 2129 S Street NW.

Wise and Partners are displaying their new show: Translations by Meghan Moody. Meghan Moody’s first solo show highlights the theme of synesthesia, bringing the colors of music onto the canvas in a series of paintings and mixed media compositions. In this body of work, Meghan’s pieces demonstrate varying moods, textures and themes that strike with color and overlapping layers of visual rhythm. The show will be available for viewing on first Fridays, and by appointment through August 2026. Wise and Partners is located at 1740 N St NW Suite One.