Less than a year ago Dega Gallery, a new gallery and framing space opened in McLean and they have been putting together some pretty good shows. Dega is Korean for "master." They have a group show opening next November 7 which includes several well-known area artists and may be a good excuse to visit this new area gallery. Among the artists in the show are McLean-based printmaker Betty MacDonald and DC artist Kathleen Shafer. Hint for new gallery: Get a website!

Congratulations to DC area photographer Wayne Guenther, who received an Honorable Mention in the 2003 Camera Club of NY National Photography Competition, juried by the great Joyce Tenneson - a "local" who moved to NYC in the 1980s and became a photography superstar. Last year, Tenneson's book Wise Women became the best-selling photography book in the world for 2002. It was her 8th book I believe.

Elizabeth Roberts Gallery is run by the youngest gallery owner in Washington, DC and although it seems to me that she's still trying to find her focus, it was good to see Elizabeth take over and open a new gallery in the same building when Anton Gallery closed. She will have Laurie Monblatt (image on right) and West Virginia painter and printmaker Kathryn Stedham opening on November 4 as part of the first Friday Dupont Circle Galleries extended hours and openings.

Cheryl Numark Gallery has Jim Sanborn's "Penetrating Radiation" until December 20. The show is focused on work that Sanborn has been preparing since 1998 and it has been scheduled to run alongside (for a while) with Sanborn's associated show at the Corcoran titled "Atomic Time: Pure Science and Seduction."

In essence, Jim Sanborn has been creating a series of works and an installation about the Manhattan Project and the associated seminal beginning of the American nuclear program. The Corcoran installation, titled Critical Assembly, and a related series of photographs called Atomic Time, will be shown at the Corcoran Gallery of Art from November 1, 2003 through January 26, 2004.

The show has been curated by Dr. Jonathan Binstock, the Corcoran's Curator for Contemporary Art. While the exhibition is on view at the Corcoran, Jim Sanborn will be a visiting artist at the Corcoran’s College of Art and Design. Several educational programs will be organized to coincide with the exhibition, including a slide talk and gallery tour with Sanborn, a panel discussion addressing issues related to the exhibition and visits by the artist to students’ studios. The Corcoran is planning a two year tour of this exhibition - no other venues so far identified.

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