Art in the City

As you delve into this column, Punxsutawney Phil will hopefully have predicted an early spring. Whether or not you take stock in Phil’s forecast, one thing is certain—starting March 30, some of the region’s best art events will take place.

Baltimore Fine Art Print Fair

March 30-Sunday April 2 baltimoreprintfair.com

The Baltimore Fine Art Print Fair is one of the few ne art fairs in the Washington-Baltimore region. Very much like Miami Basel in December or the spring fairs in New York City, the BFAPF invites galleries, dealers and print publishers to apply to exhibit work, speci cally prints, in ne art-style booths comprised of large exhibition walls and a central display table for examining work. Selected exhibitors come from all over the US to display and sell contemporary prints. The BFAPF is an excellent opportunity to see a large variety of leading-edge artworks in one place. Parking is available next door at 940 Ostend Street. Admission to the event is ticketed and weekend passes are available. Thursday: VIP Event

East City Art’s Capital Art Book Fair

Saturday & Sunday, April 1 & 2 Eastern Market’s North Hall artbookfair.eastcityart.com

This is the rst edition of East City Art’s Capital Art Book Fair which takes place indoors at Eastern Market’s North Hall. The art book fair format combines publishing and visual art in a variety of ways but mainly features art-related publications. These can include books as works of art, editions about art or artists, limited edition books but also DIY zines, graphic novels and art magazines. Exhibitors include artists, independent publishers, illustrators and other specialty printers. For this edition, East City Art has partnered with Capitol Hill Arts Workshop and Hill Center to co-locate programming during the fair. Programming will include panel discussion on art publishing, artist talks, exhibitions and free children’s art workshops. In addition, DC-based, award- winning artist and CHAW instructor Carolina Mayorga will create ephemeral, site-specific work for the 2023 Capital Art Book Fair in Eastern Market’s North Hall. Saturday: noon8 p.m. | Sunday: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Free.

VisArts’ Rockville Art Festival

Saturday & Sunday, May 6 & 7 visartscenter.org/rockville-arts-festival/ VisArts is a large arts organization located in downtown Rockville. VisArts maintains a rigorous exhibition schedule at its galleries, offers art classes and manages artist residencies. VisArts is also responsible for organizing the annual Rockville Art Festival. This year, the festival will feature original art by 130 fine artists and artisans, live music, art demonstrations by VisArts’ instructors and artwork by VisArts’ VisAbility Art Lab artists. See original works in media ranging from ceramics, digital art, drawing, fiber, glass, jewelry, metal, mixed media, painting, photography, sculpture, and wood. Local vendors will also offer a wide variety of food and drink. Saturday & Sunday: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Gateway Open Studio Tour

Saturday, May 13

Mount Rainier & Hyattsville, facebook.com/GatewayOpenStudios

Every second Saturday in May, the artists of the Gateway Arts District open their doors to the general public. Located along Route

1 in the towns of Mount Rainier, Brentwood, North Brentwood and Hyattsville, Maryland, over 150 artists live and work in this state-designated arts district. The event gives visitors the opportunity to interact with artists in dozens of workshops and home-based studios. The Gateway Arts District is also home to a large number of galleries and prominent arts organizations like Brentwood Arts Exchange and Pyramid Atlantic Art Center which host art exhibitions and other programming during the Open Studio Tour. Remember, there are more places to visit than you can possibly see in one day. When information about participating artists becomes available this spring, plan your trip judiciously to get the most out of your visit. The Open Studio Tour usually closes with an after-party at MiXt Food Hall located at 3809 Rhode Island Avenue in Brentwood, Md. The venue usually features live music, drink specials and local made food. Times TBA. Free.

Tephra ICA Festival

Saturday & Sunday, May 20 & 21, Reston Town Center tephraica.org/festival

Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art, formerly known as Greater Reston Art Center, runs an art gallery and other visual arts programming at Reston Town Center. Tephra ICA runs what was formerly known as the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival which is now called the Tephra ICA Festival. The 32-year-old annual event hosts over 200 artists exhibiting both fine art and craft. The outdoor event includes vendor booths lining Market Street in Reston as well as performances and special events. This is also the first year visitors can take Metro’s Silver Line to the event. Times TBA. Free.