All photos: Kate Warren and Ben Droz

Every year, Connersmith (formerly Conner Contemporary) hosts one of BYT’s favorite art openings of the season: ACADEMY. The idea is simple: Leigh Conner and Jamie Smith hand select what they think are some of the most promising art graduates in the DC/Baltimore area for a group show that is always one of the best attended evenings on the DC Gallery circuit.

The work shown ranges from painting to performance and this year included works by: Ryan Carr Johnson, Larry Cook, Di Fang, Kyle Hackett, Annie Hanson, Jay Hendrick, Jeremiah Holland, Rachel Hrbek, Vincent Hui, Nathan Loda, Armando Lopez-Bircann, Kellie Martin, Ryan McCoy, Pat McGowan, Joan Oh, Laura Payne, Mihaela Savu, Rahshia Sawyer, Steven Skowron, and Jason Edward Tucker, representing the following institutions: American University, Corcoran College of Art and Design, Gallaudet University, George Mason University, George Washington University, Maryland Institute College of Art, and University of Maryland.

Some of the stand-outs included Ryan Carr Johnson’s Blind Faith sculptures, Jeremiah Holland’s beautifully executed wall table, Armando Lopez-Bircanin’s Refraction 2 performance/human installation, Ryan McCoy’s August 2012 mixed media of sea salt, pine needles and acrylic on canvas and Rahshia Sawyer’s dream like photographs.

The evening concluded with a dance party that officially marked the kick-off of anticipation for (e)merge art fair 2013, which Connersmith organizes every year. Save the date: October 3-6 2013, and make sure to stop by and check out ACADEMY, on display now through August 24th.