The Washington, D.C. art scene is currently flourishing with a series of nature-inspired exhibitions, each offering a unique perspective on our environment and history.
At Zenith Gallery, "The Marvels of Trees" presents a diverse array of artworks celebrating arboreal beauty. Bradley Stevens' realist paintings dominate the collection, featuring towering trees that overshadow even the capital's most iconic structures. The exhibition, developed in collaboration with Casey Trees and supported by Events DC, showcases various artistic interpretations of trees and wood.
Wood sculptors, including gallery owner Margery Goldberg, make up half of the participating artists. Robert Weston crafts sylvan scenes using wood veneer, while Ronni Jolles constructs forests from painted paper pulp. Larry Ringgold repurposes driftwood to create nature vignettes, demonstrating the versatility of this water-worn material.
Other artists explore the relationship between humans and nature. Lynda Smith-Bugge's miniature wooden forest cathedral and Carol Newmyer's bronze sculpture of human bodies forming a tree shape highlight this interaction. George Lorio's piece, featuring a handprint cut into bark, serves as a poignant reminder of humanity's impact on nature.
"This exhibition beautifully captures the essence of our mission to restore and protect D.C.'s tree canopy."
After its run at Zenith Gallery, the exhibition will travel to various locations, including the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library, the central facility of the District of Columbia Public Library System.
At IA&A at Hillyer, Andrea Sherrill Evans' "New Growth" offers a minimalist take on urban landscapes. Evans creates earth-toned drawings using self-made paper and pigments from locally collected plants, including Hakone grass, a Japanese bunchgrass known for its cascading foliage. Her work, reminiscent of traditional Japanese gardens, invites viewers to practice visual mindfulness.
Jessica Valoris' "Echoes of the Unmappable" at Black Rock Center for the Arts delves into the history of the Underground Railroad. Through murals, banners, and interactive elements, Valoris charts the paths of enslaved people seeking freedom. The exhibition incorporates symbols like black-eyed peas, which were brought to the Americas during the transatlantic slave trade and later came to represent prosperity in the South.
The "Peggy Doole National Small Works Show" at Washington Printmakers Gallery rounds out this season's offerings with a collection of small-scale artworks. Primarily featuring prints, the exhibition also includes three-dimensional pieces and explores various printmaking techniques, from woodblock printing to etching on glass.
These exhibitions, running through late August and early September, offer art enthusiasts a chance to explore the intricate connections between nature, history, and human creativity in the nation's capital.