UPCOMING EVENTS

Collectors view: Dr. Christine Warnke  
Apr
30

Collectors view: Dr. Christine Warnke  

​​​​Dr. Christine Warnke’s collection in her Cathedral Heights home unfolds like a visual autobiography—an intricate tapestry woven from continents, cultures, and generations. Each piece carries its own story, yet together they form a cohesive narrative of movement, heritage, and forgotten history through a myriad of paintings and sculptures gathered from across Europe, Africa, and the many places that have shaped Dr. Warnke’s life.

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A Distinct Terror: Artist Talk & Reception with FlatFile artists marisa stratton and chloe h.
May
6

A Distinct Terror: Artist Talk & Reception with FlatFile artists marisa stratton and chloe h.

Marisa Stratton is a painter whose work explores contemporary portraiture in the context of screens. Marisa holds a BFA in Communication Arts with a minor in Painting + Printmaking at Virginia Commonwealth University. She has shown in multiple exhibitions including Hamiltonian Artists (Washington DC), Virginia MoCA (Virginia Beach, VA) and the Delaware Contemporary (Wilmington, DE). Stratton teaches painting as an Adjunct Lecturer at Georgetown University.
@marisareads|https://www.marisastratton.com

Currently based in Richmond, Virginia, Chloe H.continues to explore themes of aeviternity- a state between eternity and temporality which is unchanging, and resides outside of time. They are interested in creating their own pictorial folklore to provide answers for their inner child’s questions that remain unanswered regarding their grieving parent’s home, cluttered with dated eclectic decor and unknown family histories.

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Collectors view: Lauren Penneys & Nick Potter
May
7

Collectors view: Lauren Penneys & Nick Potter

Lauren Penneys and Nick Potter are thrilled to welcome you into their home to enjoy their art collection (and maybe a visit from a pup). As a native of Miami Beach, Florida, Lauren places emphasis on artists born or practicing there such as Joyce Billet, Roe Etheridge, and Austyn Weiner.  

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Collectors view: Jessica Racine-White & Mark Schneider
May
14

Collectors view: Jessica Racine-White & Mark Schneider

Contained within the historic walls of Van View, a stately home built in the late 1800s and listed on the National Register of Historic Places, lies the playful and personal contemporary art collection of Jessica Racine-White and Mark Schneider. Drawn from travel, friendships, and artistic exchange, the collection of Jessica and Mark is both personal and evolving. It is presented alongside works from the collection of Herb White, Jessica’s father and founding member of DC Arts Center, whose enthusiasm for art helped shape the family’s appreciation for collecting off-beat and adventurous artists. Together, the collection traces a multigenerational narrative of discovery, connection, and enduring engagement with artists.

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BONUS! Collectors view: Joan & Bruce Weber
May
16

BONUS! Collectors view: Joan & Bruce Weber

Bruce and Joan Weber are delighted to host Transformer Collectors View members and their guests in their Silver Spring home to see the works of many celebrated DMV painters, sculptors, digital creators and performance artists. Works present include John Winslow, J.J. McCracken, Margaret Boozer, Lee Newman, Mark Behme, Erik Thor Sandburg, Inga Frick, Rafael Rodriguez  and many others – actively working in this region from the 1980s through today. In addition, on display in their home will be many works from Oracle, Arizona by James G. Davis, Andrew Rush, Charles Littler, Fox McGrew, and Bailey Doogan; and from New Mexico, photographer Lee Marmon.  

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A Distinct Terror: Closing Reception
May
20

A Distinct Terror: Closing Reception

Join us for the closing reception of A Distinct Terror !

A Distinct Terroir presents works both on the gallery walls and through innovative, artist-designed installation displays at The Heights Pavillion Pop-Up that invite visitors to browse selections from more than 300 FlatFile artworks. All artworks in the exhibition will be available for purchase. Throughout the run of the A Distinct Terroir, Transformer will present artist-led community programming, engaging audiences with Wednesday evening artist conversations, and through hands-on, interactive workshops presented monthly on Saturdays. These will include workshops on printmaking, mixed-media collage, and more to engage audiences of all ages in the creation of their own artworks. All workshops will be presented for free with materials provided.

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Collectors view: Robert Heggestad
May
21

Collectors view: Robert Heggestad

This View in Kalorama features an eclectic and abundant mix of classical & modern artworks and antiques thoughtfully displayed and carefully curated over many decades. The core of Robert Heggestad's collection comprises of a mix of paintings acquired through gallery visits with his dear friend Olga Hirshhorn, African masks, and works by the contemporary American painter Sylvia Schuster. The extensive European, Asian and Pre-Columbian works are presented salon-style in a jewel-toned entertaining space created by British interior designer Anthony P. Browne. 

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Collectors view: Lauren & Nando Silva - Pinto
May
28

Collectors view: Lauren & Nando Silva - Pinto

Lauren and Luis Fernando Silva-Pinto's contemporary collection is reflective of their careers as international journalists and a shared passion for art that began in childhood. Starting at age 10, Fernando would ride his bike to the São Paulo Bienal to experience the latest in contemporary art in the burgeoning international art center. Lauren virtually grew up in the Detroit Institute of Arts, where her mother was a docent for 50 years.

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A Distinct Terror: Upcycled Accessory Workshop with FlatFile artist Electra Pelias
Apr
18

A Distinct Terror: Upcycled Accessory Workshop with FlatFile artist Electra Pelias

FREE Upcycled Accessory Workshop with @electramakes in collaboration with @transformerdc! Come turn some trash into treasure and learn how to upcycle everyday finds into fun eclectic accessories including keychains, hair clips, and more!

Art has always been omnipresent in Electra Pelias’s life, often arriving in bursts of chaotic inspiration that occasionally pushed the bounds of acceptable childhood behavior. Her studio is a patchwork of the sentimental and the strange: stuffed animals awaiting surgery, scraps of fabric with ambiguous past lives, ceramic fragments that didn’t survive the kiln but insist on being included anyway. There’s often a sense of play, but it’s underpinned by something stickier: grief, memory, the need to make sense of complicated feelings. Whether she’s screenprinting a series of tender oddities or building a soft sculpture with hidden weights inside, Electra’s work invites viewers to look closer, laugh a little, and maybe wince with recognition. “By merging the whimsical with the profound, I aim to create spaces where vulnerability feels both possible and shared. The work softens sharpness, turning discomfort into something tender. In doing so, it reflects the complexity of being human: that strength and sensitivity are not opposites, but deeply intertwined.” - Pelias
@electramakes | https://electramakes.com/home

REGISTER HERE

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CANVAS ON THE SILVER SCREEN: A live conversation program drawn from THE CHRISTOPHERS
Apr
14

CANVAS ON THE SILVER SCREEN: A live conversation program drawn from THE CHRISTOPHERS

THE CHRISTOPHERS - NEON and the Transformer Invite You to a Special Screening at the AMC Georgetown

Please complete the form to RSVP for tickets to a special pre-release screening of the new film THE CHRISTOPHERS from Academy-Award winning director Steven Soderbergh at the AMC Georgetown on Tuesday, April 14 at 7:00PM

AMC Georgetown is located 3111 K St NW, Washington, DC 20007

Check in begins at 6:00PM

A Q&A with Victoria Reis, Founder, Executive and Artistic Director of Transformer, David Apatoff, Author and Curator, Preston Sampson, Artist, and moderated by Nell Minow, RogerEbert.com, will follow the screening. 

THE CHRISTOPHERS releases theatrically on April 17.

Directed by Steven Soderbergh

Starring: Michaela Coel, Ian McKellen, James Corden and Jessica Gunning

Synopsis: Julian Sklar (Ian McKellen) was once a star of London’s 1960’s and 70’s pop art explosion, but he hasn’t painted in decades and has been broke for years. His two estranged children (James Corden, Jessica Gunning), desperate for an inheritance, hire Lori, an art restorer and former forger (Michaela Coel), to pose as a prospective assistant in order to access 8 unfinished canvases Julian has buried deep in storage. Her plan is to complete them, then return them to storage, where they are to be “discovered” upon Julian’s death.

Trailer Link: The Christophers Official Trailer

For more information: https://www.neonrated.com/ 

Please note - the RSVP is not a guarantee of a seat. Seating at the screening will be on a first come first serve basis. 

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A Distinct Terror: Artist Talk & Reception with FlatFile artists Maps Glover and Sifu Sun
Apr
1

A Distinct Terror: Artist Talk & Reception with FlatFile artists Maps Glover and Sifu Sun

Maps Glover is a conceptual artist with a desire to create and tell new stories through an Afrofuturist lens. These stories weave together the past and the present projecting visions of blackness into the infinite future. My work stands as a portal between the past and the future the forms and shapes are familiar but there is always something beneath the surface. Even the creation of "Maps Glover" itself is an experiment in projecting a surrogate being into virtual space. I want my work to be inviting, I want it to pull you in closer and peel back the layers of judgment. My work exposes the beauty of Black aesthetics the textures the forms and sounds that speak to my ancestral connection. I use this connection as fuel as a guide as a map back to where we came from. My work is a conversation of value what will humanity bring with us before we evolve and what will be left behind.” - Glover
@Mapsglover | https://joshuamapsglover.myportfolio.com/

Sifu Sun is a creative powerhouse, operating as a manifestation of a higher operating system. Working with sound, acrylic paint, permanent markers, and the physical body, each presentation of work prompts reflection and release for the artist and audience alike.
@sifu.sun | http://sifusun.com/

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A Distinct Terror: Collaged Abstract Painting led by Rebecca C. Adams
Mar
14

A Distinct Terror: Collaged Abstract Painting led by Rebecca C. Adams

Rebecca C. Adams (she/her) is a multidisciplinary artist currently based in Washington, DC. She graduated from Smith College in 2006 upon completing coursework in studio art, art history, and music theory. Her work in sculpture, video, and sound has been exhibited at the Black and White Gallery (Chelsea, NYC), the Contemporary Artists Center (North Adams, MA), at Transformer (Washington, DC), and other venues in the mid-Atlantic region. She has also collaborated with the University of Maryland School of Dance on site specific sound installations and compositions for choreography. Rebecca has held teaching appointments at the Art League School (Alexandria, VA), the Smithsonian Early Enrichment Center (Washington, DC), and she served two consecutive terms on the Public Art Committee for the City of Alexandria. She has participated as a juror and panelist for numerous local exhibitions and events as a veteran community arts advocate in the DC region. Her process-based projects in multimedia painting, sculpture, and 35mm photography explore temporal relationships between current events and the visual language of trauma and decay. Her most recent work uses chaotic textures and colors to communicate the forces and feelings of individual memories, and engages the oscillating dialog between the physical and elemental properties of collage, painting, and drawing media. Rebecca was awarded a 2025 Visual Arts Fellowship Grant from the DC Commission for the Arts and Humanities, and she’s eager to begin her MFA at Pratt in Fall 2026 (Painting & Drawing). She lives beside Rock Creek Park with her Akita, Yoko, and grows vegetables on her patio.
https://rebeccacadamsfineart.com/

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Framework Panel #39: Women Shaping Contemporary Practice
Mar
12

Framework Panel #39: Women Shaping Contemporary Practice

DC based artists Genie Ghim, Xenia Gray, Rose Jaffe, Katherine Sable, and Sarah Bell Wilson will each discuss their experiences as women artists navigating the current cultural climate with moderator Victoria Reis, Transformer’s co-Founder, Executive & Artistic Director.

Attendance is Free & Open to the Public; Advance Registration Required.

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A Distinct Terror: Artist Talk & Reception with FlatFile artists Jaswant Pakki and Katty Huertas
Mar
4

A Distinct Terror: Artist Talk & Reception with FlatFile artists Jaswant Pakki and Katty Huertas

Jaswant Pakki is a self-taught, Washington, D.C.-based abstract artist, born in India and raised in Arizona. His work explores the interconnectedness of humans and emotion, often drawing from personal experiences to create art that reflects both cultural and emotional narratives. Known for his vibrant use of color, textured landscapes, and miniature figures, Jaswant creates "worlds" that invite viewers to connect and interpret freely. Working in digital, oil, and acrylic mediums, his creative journey began in 2022 with unconventional materials like South Asian spices to add texture and meaning to his work. Jaswant’s passion for connection extends beyond the canvas through his public art practice, where he leaves small works and wire figures in unexpected places around Washington, D.C., sparking moments of joy and reflection for those who discover them. 
@artbyjaswant | https://www.artbyjaswant.com/

Katty Huertas is a multidisciplinary artist from Bogotá, Colombia based in Washington, DC. Inspired by magical realism, her work explores identity, folklore, double standards, and the connection between the natural and man-made world. Katty earned an MFA from MICA (Maryland Institute College of Art) and a BA from FIU (Florida International University). Her work has been shown in galleries in multiple locations including New York City, San Francisco, Baltimore, Washington D.C., Austin, and Bogota, Colombia. She recently completed a mural currently in view in Washington DC as part of NoMa in Color.
@kattyhuertas | https://kattyhuertas.com/

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Video Projected AI Conversation with Ashley Jaye Williams & Ted Kaouk
Feb
26

Video Projected AI Conversation with Ashley Jaye Williams & Ted Kaouk

This layered online presentation extends the exhibition’s exploration of participation, visibility, and control within the attention economy. The conversation features Ted Kaouk, who works in technology and artificial intelligence, and centers on the ideas and questions raised by the exhibition.

Dr. Ted Kaouk is the Founder and author of Generative Work, dedicated to supporting organizations and individuals in building thoughtfully with AI, leading to novel and superior outcomes while nurturing human development.

Free & Open to the public!

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Transformer's 10th Annual  Heartbreakers Ball: Sissy that Brunch  Drag Brunch Benefit
Feb
14

Transformer's 10th Annual Heartbreakers Ball: Sissy that Brunch Drag Brunch Benefit

Celebrate Valentine’s Day with glamour, performance, and community at Transformer’s 10th Annual Heartbreakers Ball: Sissy that Brunch, a fabulous Drag Brunch Benefit! Join us for an afternoon of joy, connection, and support for DC’s vibrant arts ecosystem.


Hosted by the DC drag icon Pussy Noir, this special Valentine’s Day gathering brings together drag, brunch, and heart—served with a complimentary mimosa.

Get tickets HERE!

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Artist Talk with Ashley Jaye Williams & Ashley Molese
Feb
7

Artist Talk with Ashley Jaye Williams & Ashley Molese

Join artist Ashley Jaye Williams and independent curator + cultural producer Ashley Molese as they discuss the artists immersive installation at Transformer Gallery. Molese specializes in site-specific commissions, collaborating with artists to conceive and produce large-scale installations in traditional spaces and outdoor environments. Her work focuses on the intersections of art, science and technology, and incorporates universal design principles into public engagement.

Free & Open to the public!

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Siren Arts Open House Reception of “The Geometry of Undoing” by jennifer dizefalo
Dec
13

Siren Arts Open House Reception of “The Geometry of Undoing” by jennifer dizefalo

Siren Arts is honored to present The Geometry of Undoing, an exhibition of new paintings by NJ based artist Jennifer DiZefalo in her first solo exhibition.

The Geometry of Undoing is inspired by the bold, geometric patterns of barn quilts as seen on the sides of farmhouses, sheds and barns during recent family vacations to the Poconos in Pennsylvania. These painted quilt blocks, often eight foot squared or more, stand in contrast to quilting's origins as a historically feminine fiber craft. “This contrast drew me in,” says DiZefalo, who continues “I saw a relationship to the abstract painting I have been practicing and studying since art school.“ 

Join us for a Community Open House: Sat. December 13, 12 – 6 PM with a Meet the Artist Reception featuring DJ Clauditronix, 4 – 6 PM at Siren Arts!

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"Predestiny" Opening Reception
Dec
11

"Predestiny" Opening Reception

Predestiny explores tranquility and transformation through the quiet portraits of Xenia Gray and the secretive landscapes of Sarah Bell Wilson. It represents the phase before destiny and destination are revealed; the calm before the storm, the breath before the scream, the liminality of the in-between, when you can feel something coming but don’t quite know what yet. It is a respite to enjoy serenity and interconnectedness in interlude phases, and know that what is predestined will soon play out. It is the moment before you step from the precipice and gracefully acquiesce to destiny. 

Join us for the Opening Reception of Predestiny in the G Level Lobby of the LINE DC (2468 Champlain Street, NW, Washington, D.C.) on Thursday, December 11 from 5 - 7 pm. Lite bites & drinks provided!

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FlatFile Pop-Up / D.I.Y. in the District
Nov
1

FlatFile Pop-Up / D.I.Y. in the District

Exhibit Dates: October 4—December 7, 2025
Exhibit Location: MLK Library, Great Hall

Transformer will be popping up with a FlatFile sale in the Great Hall of MLK Library! Presented as part of D.I.Y. in the District.

https://www.dclibrary.org/diy-district
https://dclibrary.libnet.info/event/14879937

Artist-run. Homegrown. Non-commercial. Multi-media. Experimental. A D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) art space is usually all of these things - and yet no single definition applies to all. This exhibition celebrates key galleries and exhibition spaces in Washington, D.C. from the 1970s to present day that represent the boundless creativity, resourcefulness, and experimentation of artists working in storefronts, row houses, converted offices, and other unlikely spaces in a federal city known for its national museums and colorful, tranquil abstract paintings. Artist-run spaces flip the script on stereotypes and simplified ideas about culture in the nation’s capital. Though real estate, the cost of living, and lack of investment in the arts are abiding challenges, these spaces have supported generations of artists as they find community and test and develop their ideas.  

Produced in collaboration with Rhizome D.C. and other partners, this exhibit will transform the Great Hall of MLK Library into a celebration of the artist-run and D.I.Y. arts scene in the District from the 1970s through the present day.

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Open House reception of "A Tender Sieve," Exhibition by Mia Feuer
Oct
25

Open House reception of "A Tender Sieve," Exhibition by Mia Feuer

Transformer is thrilled to present A Tender Sieve, an exhibition by Canadian artist Mia Feuer. This exhibition is presented in tandem with Transformer's cultural partnership with the Embassy of Canada.

Join us for the open house reception of A Tender Sieve from 12 - 6 PM featuring an artist talk at 1 PM.

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Siren Arts: Decree Denied by Rob Santello Open House Reception
Oct
18

Siren Arts: Decree Denied by Rob Santello Open House Reception

Siren Arts is honored to present artist Rob Santello in his first solo exhibition, featuring a provocative body of paintings that challenge cultural and sociopolitical hierarchies.

Join us for a Meet the Artist Open House Reception from 12 - 6 pm on Saturday, October 18, 2025!

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Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts (Day 2)
Oct
5

Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts (Day 2)

Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts

An immersive, multi-arts experience that elevates creativity

Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts, presented with Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art (Tephra ICA), is a two-day outdoor festival happening October 4–5, 2025, in the heart of Tysons, VA. Designed for all ages, this immersive event transforms the streets of Capital One Center into a multi-block celebration of the arts— featuring interactive installations, hands-on workshops, live music, and culinary experiences for every generation.

TRANSFORMER ART ACTIVATIONS:
- Custom painted pet portraits by Baltimore, MD based artist Elizabeth Graeber - 11:30 - 4 PM
- Transformer will be selling pieces from our ever-growing FlatFile collection from 11 - 5 PM

Event is free & open to the public. RSVP here: www.eventbrite.com/e/celebration-of-the-arts-at-capital-one-center-tickets-1548712102589

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Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts (Day 1)
Oct
4

Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts (Day 1)

An immersive, multi-arts experience that elevates creativity

Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts, presented with Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art (Tephra ICA), is a two-day outdoor festival happening October 4–5, 2025, in the heart of Tysons, VA. Designed for all ages, this immersive event transforms the streets of Capital One Center into a multi-block celebration of the arts— featuring interactive installations, hands-on workshops, live music, and culinary experiences for every generation.

Transformer will be selling pieces from our ever-growing FlatFile collection from 11 - 5 PM!

Event is free & open to the public. RSVP here: www.eventbrite.com/e/celebration-of-the-arts-at-capital-one-center-tickets-1548712102589

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D.I.Y. in the District Opens
Oct
4

D.I.Y. in the District Opens

D.I.Y. in the District

Exhibit Dates: October 4—December 7, 2025
Exhibit Location: MLK Library, Great Hall

Artist-run. Homegrown. Non-commercial. Multi-media. Experimental. A D.I.Y. (Do It Yourself) art space is usually all of these things - and yet no single definition applies to all. This exhibition celebrates key galleries and exhibition spaces in Washington, D.C. from the 1970s to present day that represent the boundless creativity, resourcefulness, and experimentation of artists working in storefronts, row houses, converted offices, and other unlikely spaces in a federal city known for its national museums and colorful, tranquil abstract paintings. Artist-run spaces flip the script on stereotypes and simplified ideas about culture in the nation’s capital. Though real estate, the cost of living, and lack of investment in the arts are abiding challenges, these spaces have supported generations of artists as they find community and test and develop their ideas.  

Produced in collaboration with Rhizome D.C. and other partners, this exhibit will transform the Great Hall of MLK Library into a celebration of the artist-run and D.I.Y. arts scene in the District from the 1970s through the present day.

Check out Transformer’s booth in the exhibition!

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