Photos: Connersmith Academy 2013 Opening - BrightestYoungThings

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.

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Thursday 08/31

Tommy Davidson @ DC Improv

$25

Tommy Davidson contributed countless unforgettable sketches to “In Living Color,” then stole the big screen in “Booty Call,” “Juwanna Man,” “Black Dynamite” and more. He continues to lend his talents to animated shows (for both Disney and the Cartoon Network), television and movie projects. And of course, he’s still touring the country doing stand-up. Washington is the city where Tommy launched his stand-up career, so we’re always proud to have him back.

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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.