UPCOMING EVENTS
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/
Something Wicked: Visionary Leaders Circle Exhibition Preview
Join us for the Visionary Leaders Circle Preview of Something Wicked from 5 — 7 PM.
Something Wicked: Community Open House & Artist Talk
Join us for a Community Open House of Something Wicked, an exhibition by Baltimore, MD based artist Alexander D’Agostino aka Glitterwitch, and stay for the Artist Talk at 1pm!
The Fairy King's Grimoire Performance Event at the Folger Shakespeare Library
Join us for The Fairy King's Grimoire Performance Event at the Folger Shakespeare Library, presented as part of Something Wicked an exhibition by Baltimore, MD based artist Alexander D’Agostino aka Glitterwitch.
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/
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
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.
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.
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.
“Jackpot” Artist Talk with Hatnim Lee
Join us for a Jackpot Artist Talk with Hatnim Lee at 2PM!
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/
“Know Your Rights” workshop with The Jersey Shore Immigrant Support Coalition
Join Siren Arts in supporting The People’s Pantry of Asbury Park!
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!
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.
Donation Drive for The Peoples Pantry
Join Siren Arts in supporting The People’s Pantry of Asbury Park!
“Jackpot” Meet the Artist Reception
Join us for a Meet the Artist Reception to celebrate the opening of Jackpot from 12 — 6 PM!
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!
“Jackpot” Community Open House
Join us for a Community Open House of Jackpot from 12 — 6 PM!
“Interactive Echo Chamber” Visionary Leaders Circle Preview
Join us for the Visionary Leaders Circle Preview of Interactive Echo Chamber from 5 — 7 PM.
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!
"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!
“Everything is Everything” Benefit Art Auction & Gala
Join us for Transformer’s 21st Annual Benefit Gala, Everything is Everything. Everything is Everything Benefit Art Auction & Gala will present over 150 artworks in a public exhibition throughout The Line DC’s gorgeous property in the heart of Adams Morgan, DC.
- VIP Hour 6 - 7 pm
- Gala 7 - 11 PM
“Everything is Everything” Benefit Art Auction & EXHIBITION Opening
Join us for Transformer’s 21st Annual Benefit Art Auction, Everything is Everything. Everything is Everything Benefit Art Auction & Gala will present over 150 artworks in a public exhibition throughout The Line DC’s gorgeous property in the heart of Adams Morgan, DC.
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.
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.
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!
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
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
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!
Flatfile Pop-Up Sale
Shop the Flatfile collection at Barrel House! Transformer's FlatFile is a growing collection of 400+ artworks by 40+ artists. All works are 2D, sized 16" x 20" or smaller, and priced at $500 and below.
Pure Peace, Storefront Video Installation by Steven Ferri Launch
Transformer is honored to present Pure Peace, a storefront video installation by DMV based artist Steven Ferri, as part of DC Art All Night. Set against the city’s unprecedented moment under federal occupation — when policing in Washington, DC is placing exceptional demands on the city government, residents, police officers, and the National Guard — Pure Peace delivers its metaphor with striking poignancy.
The video depicts a toy soldier submerged in a mason jar as Amish honey is slowly poured in. As the golden liquid envelopes the figure, it overflows the jar and fills the frame, ultimately drowning out the soldier and the container itself. The work employs two contrasting symbols—the mass-produced toy soldier and the organic Amish honey—exploring the tensions between violence and pacifism, war and peace, and confrontation and surrender.
Pure Peace will be on a 24/7 continuous loop for sidewalk viewing September 13 - October 20, 2025.
Full Saturation Opening Reception
Join us for the Opening Reception of Full Saturation, the newest exhibition in our ongoing creative partnership with the LINE DC. Featuring works by DMV-based artists Aphra Adkins, Genie Ghim, Rose Jaffe, and Kate Sable, Full Saturation celebrates the power of color and vibrancy meant to spark joy in the viewer.
Art for Social Justice Artists’ Salon
Join us at Transformer for an art salon exploring how art can be used as a powerful tool for social justice. Led by the exhibiting artists of A Litany for Survival / E22: Glass for Social Justice, this conversation is designed for artists who strive to create meaningful change through their artwork but may not know where to begin.
Mini Litanies
Create your own glass tile! Hosted by the E22: Glass for Social Justice artist cohort. Materials will be provided by the Washington Glass School. Open to the public & free with RSVP! *The capacity is 10 attendees. If you have last minute changes and can no longer attend, please release your ticket so someone else has the opportunity to participate.
Siren Arts, "Divine Currents": Miss Grace David Performance
Miss Grace David is a Black, queer, and non-binary femme performance and textile artist based in the DC area. By using character performance, textile production, world-making, and storytelling, their work connects human emotion and personal experience with visual abstraction. Their work and film has been commissioned by Dance Place in Washington, DC, Tariq O’Meally’s BlackLight Summit, and shown at The Kennedy Center. Grace is the inaugural awardee of the HAUS AWARD in 2021 from haus of bambi recognizing DMV-based LGBTQ+ artists for work exploring the complexity of queer identity. Most recently, Grace was announced as a Fellowship Artist with Dance Place for their 2025-2027 Season.
Siren Arts, "Divine Currents": Miss Grace David Artist Talk
Miss Grace David is a Black, queer, and non-binary femme performance and textile artist based in the DC area. By using character performance, textile production, world-making, and storytelling, their work connects human emotion and personal experience with visual abstraction. Their work and film has been commissioned by Dance Place in Washington, DC, Tariq O’Meally’s BlackLight Summit, and shown at The Kennedy Center. Grace is the inaugural awardee of the HAUS AWARD in 2021 from haus of bambi recognizing DMV-based LGBTQ+ artists for work exploring the complexity of queer identity. Most recently, Grace was announced as a Fellowship Artist with Dance Place for their 2025-2027 Season.
Siren Arts, "Divine Currents": Bumper Performance
Bumper is DC’s alien superstar hellcat! They are a producer, performer, carpenter and community builder. Whether center stage or behind the scenes, Bumper steps into any arena where beauty is being made. Four years deep in the District and fresh off producing one of World Pride DC’s standout events, they’re at the top of their game. You might’ve seen them tearing it up at Honcho, holding down a residency at The Kennedy Center, or caught their cowboy hat bouncing through Flower Factory as the creative director. What’s next? Creating Sanctuary. Stay tuned.
Siren Arts, "Divine Currents": Bumper Artist Talk
Bumper is DC’s alien superstar hellcat! They are a producer, performer, carpenter and community builder. Whether center stage or behind the scenes, Bumper steps into any arena where beauty is being made. Four years deep in the District and fresh off producing one of World Pride DC’s standout events, they’re at the top of their game. You might’ve seen them tearing it up at Honcho, holding down a residency at The Kennedy Center, or caught their cowboy hat bouncing through Flower Factory as the creative director. What’s next? Creating Sanctuary. Stay tuned.