Harry Benson: Washington DC
Iconic Photographs for the Nation’s Capital
707-709 7th St., NW
Washington, DC 20001
Wed-Sun 10 AM – 5 PM; Open until 7PM on Capitals and Wizards home gamedays
Free Admission
www.harrybensondc.com
Located next door to the Capital One Arena, the gallery showcases over 150 photographs by the legendary photojournalist, Harry Benson. Benson is renowned for his photographic documentation of culture, music, movies, television, and sports through the 20th and 21st centuries.
The gallery spans two floors with over 10,000 square feet and will feature every president and first lady since Dwight Eisenhower, iconic photographs of athletes including Mohammed Ali, musicians, the Beatles arrival to the US, a historic chronicling of the civil rights movement in America and much more.
National Gallery of Art
4th St. & Constitution Ave., NW
Washington, DC
10:00 Am – 5:00 PM
www.nga.gov
No photography exhibits at this time
National Archives Museum
700 Pennsylvania Ave., NW
Washington, DC
www.archivesfoundation.org
Power and Light: Russell Lee’s Coal Survey – March 16, 2024 – Dec. 7, 2025
The exhibit features a collection of photographs that explore the under-researched and never-before-exhibited images of those who helped build our nation post-WWII.
Multiple Exposures Gallery
The Torpedo Factory Art Center, Studio 312
105 Union St.
Alexandria, VA 22314
www.multipleexposuresgallery.com
Mon-Sun 11 am – 5 pm
Enduring Roots: A Solo Photography Exhibition, by David Myers – April 22 – June 1
A reflection of ancient olive trees – their presence, cultural significance, and the bond shared with those who care for them.
Previous photographic exhibits may also be viewed online at www.multipleexposuresgallery.com under Exhibitions – Virtual Galleries.
Glen Echo Photoworks
7300 MacArthur Blvd.
Glen Echo, MD
www.glenechophotoworks.org
Gallery Hours: Saturday 1-4 PM
Ready for It – April 5 – May 11
Features work from the students of four local high schools representing the students’ interpretation of the theme and their individual perspectives.
Past Exhibits may also be viewed online under Galleries
National Portrait Gallery
Eighth & G Streets
Washington, DC 20001
www.npg.si.edu
Mon-Sun. 11:30 am – 7:00 pm
Powerful Partnerships: Civil War-Era Couples – Through May 18, 2025
The exhibit illuminates the stories and faces of five “power couples” whose work and lives shaped the nation around them during tumultuous times.
Picturing the Presidents: Daguerreotypes and Ambrotypes
Through June 8, 2025
To mark the 2024 presidential election year, this exhibit features some of the earliest photographic images of the eleven men who attained the nation’s highest office.
Star Power: Photographs from Hollywood’s Golden Age, by George Hurrell –
Through January 4, 2026
The preeminent photographer created timeless images of Hollywood’s most glamorous icons of the 1930s and 1940s.
From Shadow to Substance: Grand-Scale Portraits During Photography’s Formative Years – June 20, 2025 – June 7, 2026
The exhibit traces the evolution of the grand-scale, whole-plate format from the high-end daguerreotype to the mid-range ambrotype to the more affordable tintype.
National Museum of African American History & Culture
1400 Constitution Ave, NW
Washington, DC 20560
Mon: 12:00PM – 5:30 PM; Tues – Sun. 10:00AM – 5:30PM
Free Timed-Entry Passes Required
Forces for Change: Mary McLeod and Black Women’s Activism
July 19, 2024 – Ongoing
Featuring 75 images, artifacts and multimedia film, the exhibit illuminates connections across time to Black women changemakers who continue Mary McLeod Bethune’s social justice legacy.
Anacostia Community Museum
1901 Fort Place, SE
Washington, DC
(202) 633-4820
Open Daily 10AM – 5PM
www.anacostia.si.edu
ACM Main Gallery
Bold and Beautiful Vision: A Century of Black Arts Education in Washington, DC, 1900-2000 – current until March 2, 2025
Through original artworks, rare video footage, photography and artistic artifacts, A Bold and Beautiful Vision traces the story of teachers and students who made Washington, DC a truly unparalled center for Black arts education.
Arthur M. Sackler Gallery
1050 Independence Ave., SW
Washington, DC
Floor B2, Gallery 28
Daily 10 am to 5:30 pm
www.si.edu/museums/sackler-gallery
Body Transformed: Contemporary South Asian Photographs and Prints – through Aug. 17
The exhibit focuses on the human form and the expressive power of photography and print media to offer ways to examine the place of the individual in contemporary society. Note: contains images that may not be appropriate for all audiences.
National Building Museum
401 F Street NW
Washington, DC 20001
(202) 272-2448
Open Thurs. – Mon. 10AM – 4PM
www.nbm.org
Capital Brutalism – Through June 30
Explores the history, current state, and future of seven polarizing buildings, including the WMATA Metro system in Washington, DC. The exhibit uses archival documents, drawings, construction photographs, and contemporary photographs to shed light on the buildings’ stories.
Washington Post
Photography section: https://www.washingtonpost.com/photography/
Going Out Guide: https://www.washingtonpost.com/goingoutguide/
Art Section: https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/art
EVENTS
Blooms Around Town:
- Brighton Dam Azalea Garden – peak bloom late April to early May
2 Brighton Dam Rd.
Brookeville, MD 20833
(301) 206-7485
www.wsscwater.com/azaleas
The 5-acre garden is home to over 22,000 azalea bushes in a hardwood forest. Call the above phone number for the blooming schedule. - Schwartz Peony Garden at Seneca Creek State Park: Peak bloom are mid-May to June, but can vary from year to year.
11950 Copper Rd.
Gaithersburg, MD 20878
Free park admission M-F; Sat & Sun $3.00
(301) 924-2127
www.dnr.maryland.gov/publiclands/Pages/central/seneca.aspx
Directions: After entering the park, continue straight past the guard hut. Take your first left. The garden will be on your right, and the parking area will be on the left.
Hundreds of heirloom peonies from Holland, France, England, and the United States. - Wisteria – peak bloom mid-April to early May, but may vary depending on the weather.
10 Spot to See Washington, D.C.’s Wisteria Vines During Spring’s Peak Bloom
https://secretdc.com/where-to-see-wisteria-dc/
The Butterfly Experience at Brookside Gardens – Current through Sept. 21
Hundreds of live butterflies from North America, Costa Rica, Africa, and Asia flutter about among colorful flowers in the South Conservatory House. Timed tickets required.
www.brooksidegardens.ticketsauce.com
Around the World Embassy Tour – May 3 Check for upcoming details on www.washington.org
Baltimore Kinetic Sculpture Race – May 3
Custom-built human-powered amphibious works of art takes place in the Inner Harbor. The eight-hour race covers 15 miles and promises to be an entertaining, fun photo op. Details at www.kineticbaltimore.com
Revolutionary War Weekend at Mount Vernon, VA – May 3 – 4
Mount Vernon’s 12 acre field transforms into a battleground of Continentals, Redcoats, and Hessians who conduct military drills and 18th-century tactical. Advance tickets at
www.mountvernon.org
Washington DC Dragon Boat Festival – May 17
Thompsons Boat Center
2900 Virginia Ave. NW
www.dcdragonboatfestival.com
Fiesta Asia Street Fair – May 17
Pennsylvania Ave., NW between Third and Sixth Streets, Washington, DC
Celebrating its 20th year, Fiesta Asia highlights Asian heritage and culture through education, cuisine, street fairs and way of life.
www.fiestaasia.org
Old Town Alexandria Festival of Speed & Style – May 18
200-500 King St.
Alexandria, VA
www.festivalofspeedandstyle.com
The festival celebrates the power and performance of exotic sports cars with over 100 rare and unusual exotic cars and motorcycles from the 1950’s, 60’s, 70’s, and 80’s.
Rolling to Remember – Blessing of the Bikes at the Washington National Cathedral – May 23rd @ 5PM.
Rolling to Remember – Ride Day – May 24
Large motorcycle demonstration ride organized by AMVETS to raise awareness of U.S. POW’s and MIA’s, as well as the mental health crisis affecting veterans.
Details at www.rollingtoremember.com/itinerary