Alexandria Galleries Celebrate America, Black Art, and Summer Culture

Alexandria, VA – June kicks off the summer season with a bang even before the celebration for America’s semiquincentennial culminates with revelry galore on July 4. Gardens all over Port City have been planted with flowers of red, white, and blue while gallery and museums around the DMV have exhibited themes of patriotism and individualism throughout American history, art, and culture in all its splendor.

Del Ray Artisans Celebrates America’s Semiquincentennial

USA at 250 is the June exhibit at Del Ray Artisans. Curated by the dynamic duo husband-and-wife team of Karen and TJ Feeley, this timely exhibit challenged local artists to represent the American spirit – past, present, and future.

All are welcome to join the curators and artists during the opening reception Friday, June 5, from 7 to 9 p.m. The gallery and reception are always free, accessible, and welcoming to the general public.  Supporting classes, workshops, and events are held throughout the exhibit. Check the website for more information about creative programs and upcoming exhibitions.

Nepenthe Spotlights Black Excellence in Art and the Annual Summer Solstice Show

Nepenthe Gallery has exciting and especially must-see ART + WINE + CHEESE salons planned throughout June. Juneteenth may not be a federal holiday in 2026 but the celebration of Black excellence goes on throughout the month.

June 4 at 6 p.m., collagist Darlene Taylor examines reclaimed narratives of Black life silenced within historical archives via mixed-media art and fiction writing.

June 11 at 6 p.m., gallerist and collector Kali Jones of the famous Stella Jones Gallery in New Orleans discusses the legacy of three Black artists: Sarah Albritton, Richard Dempsey, and Gwen Knight.

June 18 at 6 p.m. takes a short detour from legendary Black artists, showcasing the annual exhibit, Summer Solstice: A Curated Expo of Original Artworks by Five Local Artists.

The work of Carla Cioffi, Rose Covert, Deanne Schwartzberg, Ann Tannous, and Patsie Uchello will be on exhibit until July 15, 2026.

June 25 at 6 p.m. features Romare Bearden’s masterpiece The Piano Lesson, with Saint Stephen’s and St. Agnes School art history teacher Kara Sandoval discussing the beloved artist and his storied career. Also on display will be Bearden’s Conjunction, 1979.

All month, the Important, Inspiring and Joyful Artworks by Black Artists exhibition features artwork celebrating prominent African American visual arts legends and Outsider/Southern Folk fame: Bearden (with the momentous return of the iconic The Piano Lesson), Washington-born Mexican/American sculptor Elizabeth Catlett, Washington Color School’s Sam Gilliam, South African artist and revolutionary Nelson Mandela, quilt/fiber protest artist Faith Ringgold, and self-taught Southern folk artist Purvis Young, among others you won’t want to miss.

Nine Lives Opens at Galactic Panther

A funeral director turned artist explores death at Galactic Panther in Old Town. Nine Lives: New Works by Mike Egan is the summer solo show that opened May 29, exploring themes of life and death as well as religion via his unique visual expression.

Egan writes, “Through funerals we tend to celebrate not only someone dying but we also celebrate that person’s life. Each painting is in some way a goodbye to somebody who passed away. They are little funeral portraits.”

Egan’s influences range from German Expressionism to Southern Folk and Outsider Naive art, and stained glass church windows to Halloween and horror films. Nine Lives complements the Galactic Panther focus of contemporary pop and performance art. Recently the gallery has featured the fine art prints of the band Devo and the blockbuster K-POP band ATEEZ album drop merch mania.

Jeanne McIntyre’s Watercolors Wow at MVUC Alcove Gallery

Meantime, award-winning watercolorist Jeanne McIntyre will be exhibiting her art at the Mount Vernon Unitarian Church Alcove Gallery in June and July. These aren’t typical, illustrative watercolor paintings. McIntyre explains, “… I don’t create the soft, watery, picturesque type of art. I love all aspects of color and light, strong and subtle. I center my works on the richness of its flow and experience.” The MVUC Alcove Gallery is open following Sunday services (10-11:15 a.m.), during the coffee conversation afterward. All are welcome to join both. For other viewing opportunities, contact the church administrator’s office at [email protected] or the artist [email protected].

Get ready to break out the bunting, scrub that grill, and sweep the bandstand for some flag-waving fun next month. Until then, stop by your favorite local gallery and museum to get in the great American patriotic pARTay spirit. Or discover something new and not-to-be-missed. Don’t forget the free National Gallery of Art’s Jazz in the Garden is back with multi-cultural musical entertainment every Friday night. It’s Z place to be!