ver the decades Washington, D.C., and the Mid-Atlantic
states have been recognized for having a strong
connection to history and culture. These ties have helped
established it as one of the most arts-centric regions in
country. Around every turn are cities with museums, fine art
districts filled with galleries, festivals with artists from around
the nation participating and studios where patrons can stop by
and see how works of art are created.
The nation’s capital is brimming with fine arts, including
an array that are part of the Smithsonian Institution, such as
the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National Portrait
Gallery and the Freer Gallery of Art. Also in the city is the
National Gallery of Art, which was conceived by Andrew W.
Mellon, a financier and collector from Pittsburgh. All of the
museums host major exhibitions throughout the year, withthe National Portrait Gallery displaying New Co-Acquisition:
Henrietta Lacks through March 31. The event is an installation
of the jointly acquired portrait of Lacks painted by Kadir
Nelson. The piece was commissioned by the National Portrait
Gallery and the National Museum of African American
History & Culture.
In Virginia, there are a number of cities that are known for
their arts. September 21 and 22 in Alexandria is the 17th annual
Alexandria King Street Art Festival, which happens not only
minutes away from Washington, D.C., but in the hub of Old
Town Alexandria where a number of major art galleries and
studios are located. This event features 200 artists exhibiting
their work in booths lining King Street between Washington
and Union streets for more than six blocks of fine art. The city
of Richmond has a similar annual event, the 48th annual ArtsThe Art Lover's Guide to Collecting Fine Art in
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Washington, D.C., and the
Mid-Atlantic States
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