May 3 to June 3
The Biennial Ikebana Show and Tea Ceramics Exhibit. Reception is May 31, 6-8 p.m. Some 200 ceramic artists from all corners of the United States and Canada turned out to submit various wares associated with the ritual of drinking, serving, and presenting tea. Juror John Neely, ceramic artist and current Professor of Art in Ceramics and Assistant Department Head at Utah State University in Logan, UT, selected 47 pieces created by 33 artists from 19 states and Canada. At The Art League, 105 North Union Street, Studio 21, in the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Alexandria. Visit www.theartleague.org or call 703-683-1780.
May 8 to June 18
Variations. A photography exhibit featuring new works by Alan Sislen. Opening reception is Sunday, May 13 from 2 to 4 p.m. At Multiple Exposures Gallery at the Torpedo Factory Art Center #312, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Visit www.MultipleExposuresGallery.com
Thursday/May 10
Raining Cats and Dogs. 6 to 9 p.m. Free. Browse open studios, interact with artists, and enjoy refreshments. Part of the 2nd Thursday Art Night at the Torpedo Factory. Visit www.torpedofactory.org; 703-838-4565 .
Sunday/May 13
Spring Open House. 1 to 5 p.m. Free. Take in the fresh artwork while strolling through studios and galleries as you enjoy a lively Mother’s Day afternoon filled with treats and sweets, artist demonstrations, and special spring activities. At the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union St., Alexandria. Call 703-838-4565, www.torpedofactory.org.
Now Through May 13
Push Pull Play. Focuses on interactive and toy inspired art. The juror, Prescott Trudeau, selected 12 artists to be a part of the exhibition. These artists are from around the country with three from the local DC metro area. The artists include Ellen Benson (PA), Ashley V. Blalock (CA), Phillip Delacruz (FL), Marlene Hawe (VA), Ericka Heffernan (NY), Joel Jonientz (ND), Melanie Kehoss (VA), Caroline McCatty (MD), Christopher Nitsche (GA), Seamus Liam O’Brien (NY), Mallory Sloss (PA), and Alex Waggoner (GA). At the Target Gallery at The Torpedo Factory, 105 North Union Street, Alexandria. Visit www.torpedofactory.org/target.
Now Through May 19
Word Incarnate. The Gallery at Convergence presents “Word Incarnate” featuring visionary artist Anita Breitenberg Naylor. Come explore as Biblical passages are brought to life and rearranged as visual images to provide a focal point for contemplative thought. Artist's reception is Saturday, May 19 from 6 to 8 p.m. At the Gallery at Convergence, 1801 N. Quaker Lane, Alexandria. Call 703-998-6260. Visit www.convergenceccf.net.
April 30 to May 28
Moody Mud: Gentle to Geometric. A Ceramic Guild show that runs at the Scope Gallery, 105 North Union St., ground floor Studio 19, Alexandria. Call Scope Gallery at 703-548-6288 or visit www.torpedofactory.org/galleries/scope.
May 3 to May 28
Sculptor Elissa Farrow-Savos. Presents "Conversations With My Mother." Opening reception is Thursday, May 10, from 6:30 – 8 p.m. At 105 North Union Street, Studio 21, (Located in the Torpedo Factory Art Center), Alexandria. Visit www.theartleague.org or call 703-683-1780.
May 4 – May 13
Student Art Show. Sponsored by T.C. Williams High School Art Department. Opening reception: Friday, May 4, 7 – 10 p.m. The exhibit will feature the work of 13 members of the National Art Honor Society (NAHS). At Del Ray Artisans Gallery at the Nicholas A. Colasanto Center, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria. Gallery hours are: Thursday, 12 noon to 4 p.m.; Fridays, 12 noon to 9 p.m.; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; and Sundays, 12 noon to 6 p.m. Visit www.thedelrayartisans.org
May 10 to May 31
Diverging Mediums: Photography vs. iPhoneography. Reception is May 10 from 6-8 p.m. This exhibit aims to raise discussion on iPhoneography, a movement that, some would argue, is transitioning from solely a social media into a fine-art form of its own right. The nineteen selected artists include photographers from the Torpedo Factory Artists’ Association, Multiple Exposures Gallery, and P1xels, an iPhone-photography group based in Berkeley, California: Jim Steele, Maureen Minehan, Min Enghauser, Craig Sterling, Michael Borek, Pete McCutchen, Karen Keating, Fran Livaditis, Elodie Hunting, Hans Borghorst, Paul Moore, Maia Panos, Therese Brown, Butow Maler, Jose Chavarry, Glenn Homann, Ramona Gillentine, James Clarke, and Knox Bronson. At the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria. Visit www.torpedofactory.org/target.
May 11 to June 28
Rust Reconstructed. Featuring artwork by Pete McCutchen. Opening reception is Friday, May 11 from 7 – 9 p.m. At the Schlesinger Center Margaret W. & Joseph L. Fisher Gallery, located in the Rachel M. Schlesinger Concert Hall & Arts Center at the Alexandria Campus of Northern Virginia Community College.
May 19 to June 24
Forged. Show examines contemporary approaches to the ancient process of forged metalwork. A reception will be held June 14 from 6 - 8 p.m.; juror talk with Twylene Moyer at 7 p.m. Will showcase the works of 18 artists from across the country. The selected artists are: Ross Caudill (NY), Michael Leo Chmielewski (NC), Dylan Collins (WV), Ben Dory (IL), Ellen Durkan (DE), Wendy Edsall-Kerwin (PA), Seth Gould (NC), Lu Heintz (RI), Holland Houdek (NY), Lucas House (NC), John Huckins (ME), Daniel Marcucio (ME), Laurie Marshall (IL), Cozette Phillips (TX), George Rousis (KS), Jon Shearin (NY), Steve Shelby (IN), Lisa M. Wilson (OH). At the Torpedo Factory Art Center, 105 N. Union Street, Alexandria. Visit www.torpedofactory.org/target
June 1 to June 24
Art on the Edge. Opening reception Friday, June 1, 7 p.m. This all-DC area “edgy” art show breaks boundaries, daring artists to “go beyond the fringe” to explore edges of the unfamiliar, and celebrate the journey. Saturday workshops, 10 a.m.-12:30 p.m.: June 9-“Edgy Art” with Rusty Lynn and Robin Croft; June 16-“Creativity” with Coach Lynn Wyvill. www.TheDelRayArtisans.org.
Now Through June 25
Mark Dorman is the featured artist at River Farm, the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society, for the months of April, May, and June 2012. His exhibit, "Color in Nature" will be on view beginning April 2 through June 25. Dorman is a professional artist, journalist, and art critic. He studied drawing and painting with Manlio Guberti in Rome, studied at Atelier, Le Grande Chaumiere in Paris, the Corcoran Museum School, and at the Maryland Institute of the Arts. He has won numerous awards for his oil paintings, watercolors, and pastels, both abstract and representational. His colorful post-impressionist landscapes are reflective of a wealth of experience abroad. More details are at www.MarkDorman.net.
Now Through June 25
Paintings of the Potomac Valley Watercolorists. Free. Opening Reception: Sunday, May 6, 1 to 3 p.m. PVW is a regional organization of watermedia painters who have been selected for membership through a competitive process. Members have exhibited at the local, national and international levels. At the Horticulture Center at Green Spring Gardens, 4603 Green Spring Road, Alexandria. Call 703-642-5173.
Now Through June 25
Color in Nature. Artist Mark Dorman's 35 paintings will be featured at River Farm, the headquarters of the American Horticultural Society. Hours: Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. For directions, contact www.ahs.org/ or call 1-800-777-7931 or 703-768-5700.