At the Museums
Nat. Gallery of Art – West Bld. 7th and Constitution NW
Heaven and Earth: Art of Byzantium from Greek Collections traces the Byzantine visual arts from the fourth to the 15th century— from the pagan world of the Roman Empire to the opulent, yet spiritual world of the Christian Byzantine Empire. Over 170 rare works bring you the exquisite splendor of the Byzantine Empire: sculptures, icons, mosaics, frescoes, manuscripts, metalwork, jewelry, glass, embroideries, and ceramics…it’s all there. Through March 2. Charles Marville: Photographer of Paris. About 100 photographs and three albums span the artist’s career of city scenes and landscape studies across Europe in the1850s including his photographs of Paris both before and after many of its medieval streets were razed. Through Jan 5. Tell It with Pride: The 54th Massachusetts Regiment and Augustus Saint-Gaudens’ Shaw Memorial honors one of the first regiments of African Americans formed during the Civil War, the 54th Massachusetts. The unit famously fought in the Battle of Fort Wagner and was the subject of the 1989 movie “Glory. The exhibit includes daguerreotype, tintype, and carte de visite portraits of the soldiers and the people who recruited, nursed, taught, and guided them. Through Jan 20. www.nga.gov.
“Workt by Hand” Nat. Mus. of Women in the Arts 1250 New York Ave, NW Dec. 20 – Apr. 27
“Workt by Hand: Hidden Labor and Historical Quilts,” is a comprehensive exhibition that places the 35 18th–20th-century quilts in an historical context “through a contemporary feminist lens.” Patterns in “Workt by Hand” (“workt” is an archaic spelling of worked) include the “Barn Raising” or “Log Cabin” style, the “Garden Basket” style, “Double Wedding Band” designs, the “Rose of Sharon” pattern, and the Amish “Sunshine and Shadow” style as well as album quilts and “crazy quilts.” www.nmwa.org.
At the Galleries
“Small Treasures” American Painting Fine Art 5118 MacArthur Blvd, NW Dec. 2 - Jan. 25 Recep. Sat. Dec. 7, 5-7 PM
This is the annual ‘Holiday Art Show and Sale’ by the Washington Society of Landscape Painters. More than 100 gift-sized paintings will be available for viewing and purchase. This is always a great opportunity to buy a smaller but still finely executed landscape that will be appreciated by anyone. classicamericanpainting.com.
Ahmed Alkarki Hill Center Galleries 921 Pennsylvania Ave, SE Nov. 7 – Jan. 5
Ahmed Alkarki is from Iraq. His personal story is a marvel of surviving the trials and tragedies of that country over the last 30 years. Whether the topic is landscape, a portrait or simply abstraction, his true subject is light. www.Alkarkhi.com.
James Hilleary The Heurich Gallery at Boston Properties 505 Ninth St. NW Dec. 11 – Mar 4 Recep. Wed. Dec. 11, 5:30 – 7
“Washington could use more places like Zest” Washingtonian Magazine
Maryland-based James Hilleary has been associated with the Washington Color School for many years, but you can’t put him in any particular box. His work is original and inventive. He explores color effects, both optical and emotional, and you become ensnared in a world of combined imaginations. www.jameshilleary.com.
“The Strange World of Cassie Taggart” Zenith Gallery 1429 Iris St. NW –Dec. 28
Cassie Taggart paintings are fun, fascinating and keep you guessing. She is “fascinated by the idea of multiple truths.” Her interior scenes float is that space between the real and unreal. “Reality is pliable, and for every perspective there is a different truth.” Great gift possibilities here. Check the website for viewing times. www.zenithgallery.com. H
Lobster Night: Every Wednesday 5pm till they’re gone! Enjoy a 1 1/4 lb steamed lobster for $16.95! Half Price Bottles of Wine: Every Tuesday from 5pm-close! Join Us for Weekend Brunch: Sat-Sun 10:30am-3pm
735 8th Street, SE. Washington, DC | 202.544.7171 | WWW.ZESTBISTRO.COM HillRag | December 2013 H 119