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Upcoming Programs

Thursday, December 19, 6:15 pm

Founders Talk: Mel and Juanita Hardy in Conversation with Katherine Blood

Saturday, December 28, 1 pm

Artist Talk with Alexander D’Agostino

Sunday, December 29, 1 pm

Chroma Key Video Editing Workshop with Tim Brown

Current Exhibitions

Xenia Gray | Collecting Community | Alexander D’Agostino

This month Hillyer features solo artists Xenia Gray and Alexander D’Agostino, and the group exhibition “Collecting Community: Millennium Arts Salon at 25.” Visit the exhibitions page to learn more.

Upcoming Exhibitions

January 4–February 2, 2024 (“First Friday” opening, January 3, 6–8 pm)

Kate Fleming, August | Rachelle Wunderink, Your Comfort, My Silence | Adi Segal, Where Are You Really From?

Check out upcoming exhibitions to learn more.

Recent Videos

IA&A at Hillyer

IA&A at Hillyer
An Index of Fire An Index of Fire examines the history and impact of book burnings, presenting images of historic and contemporary book burnings. These images are printed on textiles using cyanotype,and then reduced—or “bleached”—using ashes from water-damaged books Alexander burned. The work surveys the pervasive and alarming history of book burning, emphasizing its futility, particularly in the wake of the printing press. While burning books rarely stops the spread of knowledge, the act is far from inconsequential. As a stark warning, book burnings, censorship, and bans often signal a society descending into fascism, one that fears free thought and human curiosity.The exhibition reimagines the book as a talisman of perseverance, illustrating how even its ashes can become a medium for creating and transforming, turning flames into records of resistance.
Interview with Alexander D’Agostino
Xenia Gray The Great Silence December 7–29, 2024 The Great Silence invites you to step into a world of curiosity and yearning that permeates human nature. Composed of 10 to 15 mid-sized figurative acrylic and graphite paintings, the exhibition examines humankind’s—and the artist’s personal—search for connection with others and for something beyond ourselves. At the heart of this exhibition lies a profound silence that connects us to a vastness beyond human thought, a place that reveals our true selves. Each painting invites viewers into a space where silence speaks through the pictorial language of color, form, and shadow. Blending emotive colors with subtle, evocative compositions, The Great Silence reminds us of the mysteries of the cosmos and the moments of silence that truly bind us together.
Interview with Xenia Gray
Rashad Ali Muhammad Can I Just Be Free 2024 Mixed media collage (paper, fabric, fringe, spray paint, and acrylic) on canvas 30 x 40 in In my Finding the Light series, I confront personal shadows and past traumas, using art as a pathway to healing and growth. The piece Can I Just Be Free emerged from a deeply vulnerable moment—a cancer scare that brought intense fear, anger, and reflection. Through this work, I seek to spark dialogue around these heavy, often unspoken experiences. By creating space for these conversations, I believe we can lift the weight of our suppressed emotions, allowing us to move with authenticity and freedom.
Artist Talk with Rashad Ali Muhammad
Marcel Taylor Unapologetic November 2–December 3, 2024 Marcel Taylor’s Unapologetic presents a powerful counter-narrative to the often reductive portrayals of Black culture in popular media. His work not only critiques the sensationalism in the media but also reclaims space for dignity and strength within Black narratives. Through works like “Elegance Personified,” Taylor elevates Black womanhood, emphasizing confidence and refinement over hyper sexualization. This portrayal invites viewers to see the subject not just through the lens of societal stereotypes but as a multifaceted individual of dignity. The themes of fortitude and identity are further explored in pieces like “Skeptical Eyes” and “Cynical Mood,” where the invisible face “masks” symbolize the double consciousness described by W.E.B. Du Bois. These works highlight the internal struggles faced by individuals who must navigate a world that often misrepresents them. In “Entangled Souls,” the protective costumes inspired by traditional African art serve both as armor against societal judgments and as a celebration of cultural heritage. The patterns evoke a sense of superhero strength, reinforcing the idea that these individuals possess an inner resilience that challenges the dominant narratives. Hillyer is supported by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, the Jon and Shirley Foundation, the Galena Foundation, and the Mars Foundation.
Interview with Marcel Taylor
Kristen Hayes Campbell is a featured artist in the exhibition “Collecting Community: Millennium Arts Salon at 25.” In this interview, Kristen talks about her painting “Ft. Washington Park Spirit Tree Series: Magenta Burst #1.”
Interview with Kristen Hayes Campbell
Maria-Lana Queen is a featured artist in the exhibition “Collecting Community: Millennium Arts Salon at 25.” In this interview, Maria-Lana talks about her life and work, while providing further insights into her painting titled “Awakening.” Her work is currently on view in the “Collecting Community” exhibition through December 29, 2024.
Interview with Maria-Lana Queen
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Hillyer is funded in part by the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities, the The Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, the Galena Yorktown Foundation, the Jon and Mary Shirley Foundation, and the Mars Foundation.