In Georgetown’s East Village, the Jackson Art Center transforms into a creative hub twice a year for its biannual Open Studios event. The next one will take place on Sunday, May 17, from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m. Visitors can explore the studios of more than 40 local artists working across a wide range of mediums including painting, photography, ceramics, sculpture and more.
The Jackson Art Center is located at 3050 R St. NW and occupies what was once the Jackson School. The school was a historic neighborhood schoolhouse later converted into artist studios in the 1980s. Today, as an arts center, the affordable workspace for Washington-area artists has become one of Georgetown’s most distinctive cultural spaces.
Open Studios is not a typical gallery exhibit. Instead, it allows guests to immerse themselves into the artists’ working environments. Visitors can chat with artists to see their works in progress, learn tools of the trade and more. Organizers say the event is designed to foster connections between artists and the community while making contemporary art more accessible.
The event is free and open to the public, with light refreshments available throughout the afternoon. During the event, guests can also buy original artwork directly from the artists, offering a chance to support local creatives and take home truly unique pieces.
Participating artists include Michele Banks, who makes watercolor and ink paintings, healing doll artist Erika Cleveland, fine art photographer Frank Hallam Day and others.
Open Studios has become a favorite Georgetown tradition for art lovers and the neighborhood. More information about the event can be found here.
Examples from artists who will be featured at the Open Studios can be found below.
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- Pottery artist Penelope Williams.
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- Self-taught artist Kelly Dinglasan Minton.
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- A portrait of former first lady Michelle Obama byt former Assistant Director and official photographer of The White House Chuck Kennedy.
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- A piece by traditional artist Robert Johnson.