News & Events
Sitar Arts Center Proudly Presents its 14th Annual Patricia Sitar Juried Exhibition — “LIFE IN COLOR”
WASHINGTON, March 4, 2024 – Sitar Arts Center is pleased to announce its 14th Annual Patricia Sitar Juried Exhibition. On display at Sitar’s Cafritz Gallery now through April 24, 2024, the exhibition features over 30 curated works from local, national, and international artists, including entries from Florida, New Jersey, North Carolina, and Colombia. This year’s theme, “Life in Color,” invited artists to explore emotions, play with dimensions, and reimagine daily life with color. The opening reception on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at 7:00 p.m. is open to the public.
For over two decades, Sitar Arts Center has been offering high-quality and accessible arts education to children, teens, and young adults from every Ward of Washington, DC. Fostering a creative community of learning and belonging, Sitar Arts Center removes financial and cultural barriers to arts education and career training and believes everyone should have access to quality arts education. Since 2010, Sitar has held an annual juried exhibition, providing emerging artists a platform to exhibit their work professionally. This is a testament to Sitar’s commitment to equity and inclusion.
“Our annual exhibition not only celebrates our namesake Patricia Sitar’s vision and dedication to fostering creativity but also highlights the remarkable talents of artists in our local community, and beyond,” said Maureen Dwyer, executive director of Sitar Arts Center. “This year, we received an unprecedented 80 entries, the largest number in our history, which speaks to the growing impact of the arts not just in DC but around the world. We’re proud to showcase the diversity and depth of artistic expression in this year’s show, and we invite everyone to join us in celebrating the power of art to build community.”
Artists featured in the 14th Annual Patricia Sitar Juried Exhibition compete for cash prizes, and the first-place winner in the adult category wins the opportunity to exhibit at Sitar Arts Center’s Cafritz Gallery in the fall. A variety of artistic media, ranging from photography to painting will be on display.
In 2023, Martina Loncar claimed first place in the 13th Annual Patricia Sitar Juried Exhibition, “Unity and the Environment,” with her piece “Hold My Hand.” In November 2023, Loncar exhibited her series “In the Company of Trees” at Sitar. She described her series as an ode to our silent companion citizens, exploring the connection between trees and humans to their environment. Loncar is excited to serve as juror for the upcoming exhibition.
Joining the panel of jurors are screenprint and mural artist John Deardourff, abstract and impressionist artist Maria-Victoria Checa, and art historian and museum educator at the Phillips Collection, Kelly Richmand-Abdou.
Artists and jurors will be present at the opening reception on Thursday, March 7, 2024, at Sitar Arts Center’s Cafritz Gallery. The gallery is at 1700 Kalorama Road NW, Suite 101 in Washington, DC. Some artworks will be available for purchase. The gallery will be open Monday through Friday, from noon – 6:00 p.m., and Saturdays, from 10:00 a.m. – noon.
For more information, visit Sitar Arts Center’s website at www.sitarartscenter.org
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About Sitar Arts Center
Founded in 2000, Sitar Arts Center advances equitable access to high quality education and workforce development in the visual, performing, and digital arts. Sitar Arts Center engages DC youth, from early childhood to young adulthood, in building a creative community of learning and belonging that removes financial and cultural barriers to arts education and career training. Sitar envisions a city in which all young people experience transformative moments through quality, accessible arts education and career training, and are supported on their path to discover their creativity and achieve their full potential. For more information, visit www.sitarartscenter.org.