ashington, D.C., & the Mid-Atlantic states are recognized
for their ties to history and culture, including a bustling
fine art scene that includes art galleries, world-class
museums and countless festivals and fairs for collectors
to enjoy. Around every turn there is new artwork to discover,
whether it be a long-standing collection at one of the Smithsonian
Institutions or artwork from a local artist who is capturing the
sights and sounds of the area.
In D.C. some of the biggest draws are the fine art museums,
including the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the National
Portrait Gallery, Freer Gallery of Art, the National Gallery of
Art, the National Museum of Women in the Arts and Hirshhorn
Museum, to name a few. At each of these are not only the
permanent holdings, but also a number of exhibitions with
artwork on loan to entice visitors. Zenith Gallery has two
locations in the city, one in Northwest D.C. that includes two
sculpture gardens and a second location in the heart of downtown.
Alexandria, Virginia, is also recognized for its fine art scene,
with King Street being home to some of the top art dealers in the
country including Principle Gallery. Located just minutes away
from D.C., Alexandria is also known for its annual AlexandriaKing Street Art Festival where more than 200 artists set up booths
along King Street between Washington and Union streets.
Another art-centric city in Virginia is Richmond, which will host
its 49th annual Arts in the Park May 2 and 3 with more than 450
artists gathering in Byrd Park.
In Easton, Maryland, two standout events happen every year:
Plein Air Easton in July and Waterfowl Festival in November. Plein
Air Easton, now in its 16th year, is one of the nation’s largest plein
air competitions. It will next take place July 12 to 19 with 58 artists
painting throughout Talbot County before presenting their works
for the competition. Waterfowl Festival is one of the country’s oldest
wildlife events, that not only features artwork but also festivities
dedicated to the creatures and heritage of the Eastern Shore. The
milestone 50th annual event happens November 13 to 15.
Also calling the area home is Stone Sparrow NYC, which is a
new gallery in the West Village in Manhattan. The metropolis
is home to countless of fine art offerings, from internationally
recognized art galleries to museums and events. Highlights
include the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Museum of
Modern Art and fairs such as The Winter Show, Art on Paper New
York, Art New York and Frieze Art Fair New York, to name a few.The Art Lover's Guide to Collecting Fine Art in
W
Washington, D.C., and the
Mid-Atlantic States
King Street in
Alexandria,
Virginia. Photo
by M. Enriquez for
Visit Alexandria.