First Friday Dupont Circle: Art Walk

Bloom Boutique is hosting a Holiday Cheer Sip & Shop from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. where they will be giving out complimentary wine and snacks at their Connecticut Avenue storefront. Bloom Boutique is a premier vendor of clothing, shoes, scarves, handbags, and artisanal jewelry, all of which will be on sale this Friday. Taste delectable Turkish food as well as sips of free wine while you peruse the wares of Bloom. Bloom Boutique is located at 1719 Connecticut Avenue, NW.

The Church of Scientology, National Affairs Office is celebrating “International Human Rights Day” with an art exhibition featuring seven artists, in person, who competed in Youth for Human Rights International’s 2022 “War or Peace?” art competition, done in collaboration with Art Impact International. The competition was featured in an on-line gallery as well as in a special edition book for the 75th Anniversary of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights. The seven artists, who will show selected pieces of their art at the historic Fraser Mansion are: Bill Jones, Brenda Chandler, Esther Iverem, Felicia L. Reed, Hubert Jackson, Janie McGee, and Jerome Smith. All will be available to discuss their work and the human rights which inspired them. The exhibition begins at 6:00 p.m. at The Church of Scientology, National Affairs Office, located at 1701 20th Street NW.

IA&A at Hillyer presents Xenia Gray, Alexander D’Agostino, and Collecting Community. Join us during Dupont Circle’s monthly art walk as Hillyer features two new solo exhibitions: Xenia Gray, “The Great Silence” and Alexander D’Agostino, “An Index of Fire.” The exhibition “Collecting Community: Millennium Arts Salon at 25,” which opened in November, will remain on view throughout the month of December. Bring your friends and meet the artists in person. IA&A at Hillyer is free to the public with a suggested donation of $10. Located at 9 Hillyer Ct NW (behind The Phillips Collection.) To learn more, visit www.athillyer.org.

Join the Middle East Institute this Friday as part of Art Walk Dupont from 6-8PM to see our exhibition Louder Than Hearts: Women Photographers from the Arab World and Iran. This is the exhibit's last First Friday open house before it closes January 10th! Presented by the Middle East Institute’s Arts & Culture Center in partnership with Tribe magazine, the exhibition, curated by Rania Matar, highlights the resilience, creativity, and humanity of women across the Arab World and Iran. Ten leading women photographers from Egypt, Iran, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Saudi Arabia, and Yemen share powerful narratives that span a vast and diverse region. The Middle East Institute is located at 1763 N St. NW.

Join us at the Museum of the Palestinian People for a presentation of Art as Resistance: Testimonies of Sumud (Steadfastness), an exhibition featuring the powerful linocut paintings of Mohammad Sabaaneh. One of the works, Lines #1 Untitled (2023), shows a young Palestinian man climbing an electric pole. This powerful image asserts Palestinian existence in the face of ongoing attempts at erasure. It captures a moment of resilience and defiance, inviting the viewer to reflect on the enduring strength of the Palestinian spirit. Join us in celebrating art that resists, endures, and amplifies voices of hope. The Museum of the Palestinian People is located at 1900 18th St NW, Washington DC.

The National League of American Pen Women (NLAPW) invites the public to their headquarters to experience the creative spirit of women writers. They are thrilled to host the Pen Women permanent collection of art, a stunning exhibit showcasing the diverse talents of their members. Discover extraordinary works created by women who excel in all areas of the arts. It’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the vibrant world of Pen Women artistry and connect with their rich history. Many of the exhibited works will be available for purchase! The National League of American Pen Women is located at 1300 17^th Street, NW.

Q Street Fine Art and Barbara Bennett welcome you to celebrate the continuation of the Art and Holiday Season. Please join us to view the new paintings by Rafael Gallardo, in particular the "Holiday Tree". There will be a reception from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM. This hidden gallery gem is located in a Carriage House behind Saint Matthews Cathedral at 1 Saint Matthew's Court NW. Please call us if further directions are needed: 202 255 2893.

Studio Gallery presents The World Around Us, the annual all-members winter exhibit, curated by Lois Kampinsky and Sabiha Iqbal and organized by Lynda Andrews-Barry. This exhibition brings together a diverse collection of artworks inspired by the familiar spaces and environments we interact with daily. The show invites visitors to explore the world through the eyes of local artists, highlighting the beauty of nature, urban life, and community. The World Around Us is a unique opportunity to connect with the artists' reflections on the world we all share. The exhibition offers a fresh perspective on the environments that shape our daily lives, fostering a deeper understanding of our surroundings. Studio Gallery is located at 2108 R Street NW; we hope to see you there!

Synergy & Serenity will be highlighting a unique fusion of visual and experiential art that aligns perfectly with the vibrant and creative spirit of Dupont Circle. Our event will feature Visual Art by TLomaxx, who is an accomplished artist whose work explores themes of self-discovery, healing, and community. TLomaxx creates pieces that resonate deeply with the viewer and invite introspection. A selection of their work will be displayed in our space during the event. Alongside the exhibition, we will host an interactive sound bath experience designed to promote relaxation and balance. Following the sound bath, participants will engage in chakra-based expressive art, creating personal works that reflect their emotional and sensory experiences during the meditation. Synergy & Serenity is located at 1803 Connecticut Avenue, NW – on the second floor.

Washington Center of ADA Art Gallery, an extension of ADA University’s Art Program presents “Transforming Moments: photographs by Kay Chernush.” Kay Chernush’s assignments and interests took her all over the world in search of the "transforming moment" – using her camera to find the extraordinary in the ordinary, and to reveal the conditions of her subjects with empathy, curiosity, and a particular frame. This exhibition brings together some of Chernush’s most evocative images, taken on location in Brazil, Ghana, Morocco, France, Italy, Spain, Egypt, India, Pakistan, Thailand and beyond. ADA University Foundation is a 501 (c) 3 organization promoting social, fraternal, and networking opportunities, facilitate education activities, and advance cultural ties between the United States and Azerbaijan. You can find the Washington Center of the ADA Art Gallery at 1627 21st Street, NW on Gallery Row.

Join us at Washington Studio School for a very special First Friday opening exhibition of XOXO Faculty Show! Meet and connect with our exceptional WSS faculty whose creativity we’re celebrating as we gear up for Washington Studio School’s upcoming 40th anniversary. Come enjoy an evening of art and conversation with our vibrant WSS community! The Washington Studio School is located at 2129 S Street, NW.

The Arts and Museum Affairs Committee of the Woman's National Democratic Club is delighted to show the exhibition, "Capturing the Moment" by Ken Bachman. Bachman has exhibited widely in local venues and won many awards for his works in juried competitions. In this exhibition, he takes us on his travels as well as to our hometown of Washington. Bachman's oil paintings often capture not the touristic view but rather his unique perspective of a scene, for example, the laundry hanging above a narrow street of an old European village, or a trawler seen through a pier’s poles. As the artist notes, "I am drawn to scenes where the play of light and shadow in their colors illuminates the specific moment and creates a special beauty and interest. ... I enjoy scenes where man-made structures add their own beauty and enhance our appreciation for the beauty of the natural world that surrounds them.

This First Friday also coincides with our annual Holiday Market! Entry is free and our selection will span clothing, jewelry, art, decor, premium snacks, and much more. A cash bar will be available from 6:00 p.m. The Woman’s National Democratic Club is located at 1526 New Hampshire Avenue NW.