Alexandria, VA – Summer is over a month away, yet record temperatures set last month around the DMV gave rise to thoughts of seaside retreats and al fresco adventures. But May weather in Alexandria always finds a way to threaten those potted tropicals set out on the patio or balcony with a cold snap. So if your sweaters are back out for a short-lived reprieve or even if you’re cranking up the AC again this month, be sure to stay cool – or warm – visiting the local art scene.
Currently at The Art League Gallery of the Torpedo Factory Art Center, Floret 2026 is a companion exhibit of florals and 3-D arrangement display art complementing the 21st Biennial Ikebana Show. There’s also the May 2026 Open Exhibit juried by Jowita Wyszomirska, both on view until June 7, 2026.
While at the Art League Gallery don’t miss Gallery 75 (formerly the Bin Gallery), a gallery within a gallery featuring affordable local artists exhibiting framed and sculptural works, changing bimonthly with matted art in the bins rotating every six months. Bin art starts as low as $45 while framed work can be found for less than $100!
It’s a student art takeover at Del Ray Artisans Gallery for the month of May. This is the second year that the gallery has showcased the Alexandria City High School Titan Student Art Exhibition. In years past, student work was paired with adult exhibiting artists. Curated by Youth Programs Director Victoria Walchak, along with ACHS visual art department faculty as well as Career & Technical Education teachers, the future of local art talent looks truly titanic.
Behind the Mask, the exhibit at the alcove gallery at Mount Vernon Unitarian Church, reveals Reverend Dave Clement’s personal fascination with masks. He explains, “Masks have always been a way of telling a story and a way of inviting the viewer into that creative space.” The exhibit inside MVUC at 1909 Windmill Lane, Alexandria, may be seen through May on Sundays from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. and other times by appointment. For more information about viewing the exhibit or to inquire about exhibiting your own artwork at MVUC, contact exhibit coordinator Nina Tisara at [email protected].
New and not to be missed on exhibit at Nepenthe in May are four upcoming ART + WINE + CHEESE (AWC) soirées. Die-hard shoppers at the beloved, now-closed Imagine boutique will be thrilled to read that Leah Sturgis will be bringing her elegant jewelry-design artistry to the AWC soiree on May 7, just in time for Mother’s Day shopping and hint dropping, until June 30.
Got tickets for the Boss at Nats Park? You’ll want to pre-pARTay at Nepenthe. All things Springsteen are available for purchase: fine art photographs, unique posters, and collectible memorabilia. Be first in line Friday, May 8, 12-6 p.m. or Saturday & Sunday, May 9-10, 11 a.m.-4 p.m.
May AWC continues May 14 at 6 p.m. with a spectacular exhibition of painter Sunny Goode’s eloquent abstractions. Aptly named, Sunny believes that “A painting should make you feel something.” One of the original artists to exhibit at Nepenthe when the gallery opened in March 2022, Evelyn Dunphy returns May 21-June 17 with a new collection of her masterful, elegant watercolors.
Back at the Torpedo Factory Art Center’s Printmakers, Inc., the nonprofit studio gallery has scheduled two special exhibits for May.
In an encore farewell to Avis Fleming, the gallery exhibits many of her most beloved prints from May 1 to 13, 2026. A longtime member of Printmaker’s Inc., Avis was a member of the famous Washington Color School, exhibiting at the Studio Gallery in Washington, DC. In 1982 her work was exhibited in a national Washington Color School show in Brooklyn, NY, and the Chrysler Museum in Norfolk. Avis will be greatly missed when she moves to Maine this summer.
Printmaker extraordinaire John Gosling will follow Avis Fleming’s solo show. Old Town and Beyond is on exhibit from May 13 to June 30, 2026. This exhibit is a timely exploration of American history along the Potomac River from Georgetown to Old Town. As the tall ships sail into Port City in celebration of America’s 250th birthday, take some time to enjoy the view to the past inside as well as outside.
