Alexandria, VA – It’s sultry September. Back to work. Back to school. Back to the future. It’s the end of our season in the sun. Time to let those lazy, hazy, crazy dayz of summer roll resignedly into fall. But not so around the DMV art scene. Exhibitions are just heating up: From celebrations of Latin American culture and emblematic Alexandria inspirations to pop culture explosions, Banksy, and Butirskiy.
DEL RAY DOINGS
Join Del Ray Artisans kicking off Hispanic Heritage Month with their September exhibit: Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: Voices Through Visuals, September 4-26, 2026.
The exhibition explores the vast history, culture, traditions, and resilience of Hispanic and Latino communities through a diverse range of art and artisan expressions in all media.
Cuban-American artist F. Lennox (Lenny) Campello, curator of the expansive Women Artists of the DMV survey exhibition and a prominent voice around the DMV art scene, will present his selections for the artists awards. Meet Lenny, the exhibiting and member artists, and exhibit curator Laura Ramirez Drain at the opening reception Friday, September 4, 7-9 p.m.
The gallery, at 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, and the reception is always free, accessible, and welcoming to all. Open Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday 12-6 p.m., and Fridays 12-9 p.m.
GALACTIC PANTHER’S POP’N FRESH
For five years, Galactic Panther on upper King Street has tirelessly presented world-class contemporary and modern pop art amidst the colonial ambiance of quaintly historic Old Town Alexandria. The juxtaposition of the new-against-the-old works wonderfully as this is a singularly provocative visual art and live performance modern mashup of an Alexandria experience, exclusive to this vibrant ALX art space.
Gumby and the Ghosts is the latest collaboration of the visionary, avant-garde, and socially conscious artists that are showcased at Galactic Panther. The drawings of Tony Coleman, a self-taught, non-verbal, specially-abled pop culture and graffiti-inspired artist, are paired with the deft draftsmanship of Andrew Jeffrey Wright. The dynamic duo expounds upon the colorful whimsy of Coleman’s imaginings, superbly complemented by Wright’s comic, animated, and cartoonesque mixed media work drawn from 60s psychedelics, the underground comic art of the 70s and 80s, and even Russian Suprematism and Constructivism.
The collaborative work calls to mind the southern self-taught visionaries such as Ted Gordon, Howard Finster, Nellie Mae Rowe, R. A. Miller, and James Harold Jennings. This is the second time Coleman and Wright have exhibited collaboratively at Galactic Panther (Spring 2025) but this latest show also includes individual works on view that you won’t want to miss. Gumby and the Ghosts is on exhibit through October 8, 2026.
NEPENTHE NIGHTS
Thursday evening ART+WINE+CHEESE (AWC) art salon soirées starting at 6 p.m. are always the place to be – winter, spring, summer, or fall. You won’t want to miss the September 10 gallery discussion of the elusive British artist Banksy’s life and world. Prints of his iconic Love Is in the Air will be available for purchase. Get your new acquisition framed by Nepenthe’s expert framing services!
Opening September 17 for the Thursday AWC event, and on exhibit until October 14, is the collection of eloquent new works by emerging Leesburg artist Tamara Minarchi. While adept at working in acrylic and mixed-media, Tamara’s primary passion is painting in oils, what she deems “absolute magic.”
The September 24 AWC is the must-see moment we have all been waiting for in a fall finale of the America 250 fanfare: The Alexandria Experience. A jury of Alexandria-based artists, gallery patrons, and arts advocates selected works among 104 entries received from all around the country that represent the rich diversity of our architecture, culture, history, and the natural world spotlighting six centuries of life experienced in Port City.
Esteemed artist Alexei Butirskiy, who also submitted two original paintings for the exhibition, will be the guest of honor at the exhibit opening. Additionally, the exhibit includes vintage fine art prints, memorabilia, and photos, as well as memorabilia from businesses and families with deep roots in Alexandria.
Mark your calendars: The Alexandria Experience exhibition is on view until October 29. Alexei will be demonstrating his artistry painting live at Nepenthe Friday, September 25, at 11 a.m. Don’t miss this unique opportunity to watch a true master paint before your very own eyes.
As the song goes… “Deep in December, it’s nice to remember the fire of September that made us mellow. Deep in December, our hearts should remember, and follow.” Meantime, follow our suggestion and take in as many of these remarkable artists on exhibit as you can. Winter IS coming.
