The Joan Hisaoka Healing Arts Gallery in Washington, D.C. hosted the opening night of "Women Artists of the DMV," a major regional exhibition featuring over 550 female artists selected from more than 4,000 applicants. The show, curated by Florencio Lennox (Lenny) Campello, spans 18 venues across DC, Maryland, and Virginia through fall 2025. Alexandria artist Amy Perlman Gura is among the participants, with her silkscreen print "Woman of Valor with Redbud" displayed at the Hisaoka Gallery. Gura's work is inspired by her grandfather's painting and her late mother, connecting to the gallery's healing mission.
This exhibition matters because it is the largest curated fine arts show in the U.S. focused on women artists, providing a platform for established, mid-career, and emerging talents from the DMV region. The scale and community-driven curation by Campello, a longtime local arts figure, highlight the area's vibrant visual art scene and its ability to rival major markets like New York. The show also underscores the growing recognition of regional female artists and the importance of inclusive, large-scale surveys outside traditional art capitals.