Art & Technology

**Italian Renaissance Art at National Gallery of Art - Guided In-Person Walking Tour Hosted by Deirdre** Sunday, June 14, 2026 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM EDT National Gallery of Art 6th and Constitution Avenue, Washington, DC 20565 **Meeting Point: West Building Rotunda, on the main floor**, just off Constitution Avenue Entrance. Please plan on arriving on site early and allow time for Metro delays, parking, walking to the meeting point, security screening, restroom beforehand if you need it, etc. Look for our host **Deirdre** and a group of friendly people. If you arrive late the tour will be in the **Italian Renaissance galleries** on the main floor of the West Building. Please note that this is a live **in-person** guided walking tour of the Italian Renaissance Art Exhibit at National Gallery of Art, this is not an online/virtual program over Zoom. Also, this is a limited space and there’s currently **a wait list**. If you are no longer able to attend, please be considerate and cancel your RSVP so someone else can take your place. Thanks! *** Right here, in the heart of Washington, DC, is one of the most magnificent collections of **Italian Renaissance Art** outside of Italy. Some of us may have even visited some of the galleries once or twice when family was in town but may not have fully understood how revolutionary these artists were. Our guide will be **Deirdre**, a member of the non-profit community organization Washington DC History & Culture. While not an art historian, her approach to this project is show what Art was in the Middle Ages and the huge leap that occurred during this brief period of time known as the Renaissance. The tour will take about one hour allowing time at the end for questions. This program is presented by the non-profit community organization Washington, DC History & Culture: Experience the history and culture of Washington, DC - and the world! *** **Registration**: FREE and all are welcome including children and groups. As this is a very limited space event, please keep your RSVP up-to-date if you're no longer able to attend. **Weather**: The event is inside the National Gallery of Art. **Total Walking Distance:** We will be standing/walking for an hour. There is some benches in the various galleries but it is limited. **Photography/Recording.** Photography is generally permitted. Please stay at least two feet away from all artwork, and of course, do not touch. **Metro**: Archives (Yellow and Green lines) **Parking**: There is street parking, but it is limited. **Meeting Point**: We will meet at 10:30 am in the Rotunda. Look for Deirdre. She will be wearing a green dress. Note: we recommend arriving at 10:00 am when the Museum opens to have enough time to get through security. **Additional Questions**: Anything that can’t be answered by the above event description, Google, or common sense please let us know.

**Italian Renaissance Art at National Gallery of Art - Guided In-Person Walking Tour Hosted by Deirdre** Sunday, June 14, 2026 10:30 AM to 12:00 PM EDT National Gallery of Art 6th and Constitution Avenue, Washington, DC 20565 **Meeting Point: West Building Rotunda, on the main floor**, just off Constitution Avenue Entrance. Please plan on arriving on site early and allow time for Metro delays, parking, walking to the meeting point, security screening, restroom beforehand if you need it, etc. Look for our host **Deirdre** and a group of friendly people. If you arrive late the tour will be in the **Italian Renaissance galleries** on the main floor of the West Building. Please note that this is a live **in-person** guided walking tour of the Italian Renaissance Art Exhibit at National Gallery of Art, this is not an online/virtual program over Zoom. Also, this is a limited space and there’s currently **a wait list**. If you are no longer able to attend, please be considerate and cancel your RSVP so someone else can take your place. Thanks! *** Right here, in the heart of Washington, DC, is one of the most magnificent collections of **Italian Renaissance Art** outside of Italy. Some of us may have even visited some of the galleries once or twice when family was in town but may not have fully understood how revolutionary these artists were. Our guide will be **Deirdre**, a member of the non-profit community organization Washington DC History & Culture. While not an art historian, her approach to this project is show what Art was in the Middle Ages and the huge leap that occurred during this brief period of time known as the Renaissance. The tour will take about one hour allowing time at the end for questions. This program is presented by the non-profit community organization Washington, DC History & Culture: Experience the history and culture of Washington, DC - and the world! *** **Registration**: FREE and all are welcome including children and groups. As this is a very limited space event, please keep your RSVP up-to-date if you're no longer able to attend. **Weather**: The event is inside the National Gallery of Art. **Total Walking Distance:** We will be standing/walking for an hour. There is some benches in the various galleries but it is limited. **Photography/Recording.** Photography is generally permitted. Please stay at least two feet away from all artwork, and of course, do not touch. **Metro**: Archives (Yellow and Green lines) **Parking**: There is street parking, but it is limited. **Meeting Point**: We will meet at 10:30 am in the Rotunda. Look for Deirdre. She will be wearing a green dress. Note: we recommend arriving at 10:00 am when the Museum opens to have enough time to get through security. **Additional Questions**: Anything that can’t be answered by the above event description, Google, or common sense please let us know.

**THIS CLASS IS OFFERED THROUGH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER** **PLEASE REGISTER WITH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER, NOT MEETUP!** https://capitalphotographycenter.com/classes/class/2026-06-14-creative-phone-photography-chinatown-penn-quarter Learn smartphone camera settings for creative images. From essential techniques for exposure, to composition and focusing tips in this vibrant DC area. We begin outdoors at the National Portrait Gallery and then explore the surrounding Chinatown/Penn Quarter area with its quirky architecture and street scenes. The class will start with basic instruction on the operation of the native mobile phone’s camera. We’ll then cover some of the more advanced features of setting focus and exposure independently. We’ll explore how to turn the mobile camera’s limitations such as one lens, fixed aperture, no zoom and a small sensor to advantages using creative techniques of focus, exposure and composition. You’ll create pictures on an easily paced photo walk with guided instruction coupled with gentle critique and suggestions to make your pictures the best they can be. This class is designed for users of iOS and Android mobile devices. Participants will need to bring a fully charged phone. THIS CLASS IS BEING OFFERED THROUGH CAPITAL PHOTOGRAPHY CENTER https://capitalphotographycenter.com/classes/class/2026-06-14-creative-phone-photography-chinatown-penn-quarter

Join us [every Sunday at Pedro Sauer Academy](https://www.pedrosaueracademy.com/martial-arts-class-schedule-herndon-va/) (PSA) in [Herndon, VA](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Herndon,_Virginia) for open training in [Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Brazilian_jiu-jitsu) (BJJ): **Research**, **Review**, and **Roll**! 🥇 This is a **student-driven session** designed to help you explore what matters most to your BJJ development. Whether you want to **research techniques, review material from the week**, or **roll with different partners**, this open format gives you the flexibility to focus on your own goals. An **instructor will be present** to answer questions, offer feedback, and help troubleshoot positions, but the pace and flow of the session are entirely up to you. You can **drill, experiment**, or **get in some live rounds** in a relaxed and supportive environment. Open training is ideal for students who want to **refine their technique, test new ideas, and build confidence** through *consistent practice*. All skill levels are welcome -- come train, learn, and grow with the **[Northern Virginia Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu community](https://www.meetup.com/northern-virginia-martial-arts-group/)**! **Note:** We are located in **Suite #130**. This event is **free of charge**. The [PSA open mat schedule](https://nvma.group/va/herndon/pedro-sauer-academy/bjj-open-mat-schedule/) has been cross-posted on the NVMA Group website as well.

DC/DOX '26, the celebration of documentaries, is one of the best film festivals in the DMV. For four days - June 11-14 - the filmfest will explore a plethora of fascinating subjects. **See the whole schedule [here](https://dcdoxfest2026.eventive.org/schedule).** (The date of the film we're seeing is June 14 at 7pm - apologies for initial misprint.) For the ArtHouse, we'll see The Lorraine, the first feature-length documentary about the iconic Lorraine Motel in Memphis, Tennessee, and its owners, Walter and Loree Bailey. A safe haven for African Americans traveling during segregation and Jim Crow laws in the United States, the Lorraine is most widely remembered for one horrific event: the assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. on April 4, 1968, as he stood on the balcony outside Room 306. **Tickets cost $17 and can be purchased [here](https://dcdoxfest2026.eventive.org/schedule/69f10d0c6f84d223c7c571eb).** It will sell out, I believe. Woolly Mammoth Theater is a great venue. We'll do something social probably before nearby. WAS JUST TOLD THAT THE DIRECTOR WILL BE THERE FOR A DISCUSSION AFTER. VERY COOL. Throughout his career, director Sam Pollard has received numerous awards and honors. In 1998, he was nominated for the Best Feature Documentary Academy Award for *4 Little Girls* with Spike Lee. He won a Peabody Award for *When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts* in 2006 and received three Emmy Awards between 2007 and 2010. He also received the International Documentary Association’s Avid Excellence in Editing Award in 2008 and their Lifetime Achievement Award in 2020, followed by a Career Achievement Peabody Award in 2021. But the story of the Lorraine is far greater than that one tragic day. This documentary captures the astonishing and inspiring story of an enterprising Black couple’s pursuit of the American Dream, told through the voices of those who lived it. Their purchase of the motel in 1945 laid the foundation for a hub of social, political, and creative power, making the Lorraine a cradle of innovation and community-building. Civil rights demonstrations were planned there. Musical hits were written there. The film captures it all, including the Black community’s determined effort decades later to save the building, preserving both the history that unfolded there and the powerful symbolism it continues to embody.

A soft afternoon of movement, creativity, strategy, and connection. Join us for a wellness centered gathering designed to help women slow down, recharge, and meet new people in a low pressure, intentional space. This DC fair will have: 🧘🏽‍♀️ Pilates & gentle movement ♟️ Casual chess + beginner-friendly tables 🎨 Art & creative stations ☕ Light bites, conversation, and community Whether you want to stretch, paint, learn chess, or simply exist around good energy for a few hours, you’re welcome here. For some reason the address wasn’t popping up in meetup but it’s 670 Rhode Island Ave NE, Washington, DC 20002. Send me a direct message on Meetup if you’re having an issue joining the WhatsApp group.

Come the whole time or if you just spend 30 minutes. All are welcome. You are welcome and encouraged to bring your own coloring supplies but, if you don't have any, I will have plenty and am happy to share! (coloring books, colored pencils, and markers). Part of the mission of this group is to provide us an opportunity to check out AND SUPPORT local businesses. So, please don't bring any outside food/drinks and, while purchasing something isn't at all a REQUIREMENT to participate in the event, I do strongly encourage you to try something from the vendor :) I look forward to seeing and meeting you there! ***\*\*DISCLAIMER*\*\*** Photos may be taken during the event to be shared here on Meetup so feel free to let me know if you'd like to be excluded from them.

**🔥🔥. Please note: start time of event moved to 10:30AM to meet n mingle before we go in at 11:00AM. We will meet outside at the museum entrance at 10:30- please use entrance at 15th St and Madison Dr🔥🔥🔥** **📅 Sunday, June 14th** **🕚 10:30AM – 3:00 PM** **Join us in the spirit of Juneteenth for a meaningful and inspiring visit to the National Museum of African American History and Culture.** **I’ve visited this museum on several occasions, and every time I walk away amazed by the rich culture, powerful stories, and incredible history housed within this beautiful museum. From historical exhibits to music, art, sports, and cultural contributions, there is always something new to discover and reflect upon.** **This will be a relaxed group outing where we can explore the museum together, connect with one another, and celebrate the significance of Juneteenth through education, culture, and community.** **📍 We will establish a meeting point upon arrival.** **After touring the museum, those interested can join us at the wonderful Sweet Home Café located inside the museum for food, conversation, and fellowship.** **🎟️ IMPORTANT:** **The museum requires FREE timed-entry passes for admission. Please reserve your tickets in advance using the link below: Please be sure to select 11AM time** [https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/4561cfa0-226f-6a98-2228-1b72ec70494f](https://tickets.si.edu/nmaahc/events/4561cfa0-226f-6a98-2228-1b72ec70494f) **🚗 Parking & Transportation Options:** **• Limited street parking may be available nearby on Sundays** **• Paid parking garages are available throughout the National Mall area** **• Recommended garages include spots near the Wharf, L’Enfant Plaza, and Federal Triangle** **• Metro is highly encouraged:** * **Smithsonian Metro Station (Blue/Orange/Silver Lines)** * **Federal Triangle Metro Station is also within walking distance** **Whether this is your first visit or you’ve been before, this is a wonderful opportunity to experience one of the most impactful museums in Washington, DC with an amazing group of people.** **We look forward to sharing this meaningful experience together! ❤️**

**\*TO ATTEND GET TICKET At** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13508#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13508#tix) (Multiple Meetup groups are co-organizing so the RSVP's shown are just a very small portion attending. We'll have at least 20 registered.) Our last online Bingo Night Party was such a BIG hit, we're doing it again! Do you like to play BINGO or want to just do something different?! Then you will LOVE this event! Here is your opportunity to have some fun playing our Live "Bingo" game. You will also get to socialize and make other friends from the comfort of your home. Prizes included Amazon gift cards, free future events and more! This completely online event will be LIVE and you will be able to see and hear the other participants while playing. You will either need to print or draw out your bingo cards. We will email you with how to get it after registering. You can have more than 1 person on your team as long as they're from your house and use same device. Friends/family around the country can also play. They would just need to also register for a ticket. This event will be held on Zoom which you would access through your computer/webcam, or via your phone/tablet. On day of the event, you will get a secured Zoom link and link to print out Bingo cards. \*RSVPS ON HERE ARE NOT REFLECTIVE OF ACTUAL ATTENDANCE as this is a multi group event. Cost: $15-$20 depending on how early you register. **\*TO ATTEND GET TICKET AT -** [https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13508#tix](https://www.socialevents123.com/event-details.aspx?id=13508#tix)

I was so burned by Ready Player One that I don't even want to give Spielberg a chance (Emily: What is up with that dress?) but Josh O'Connor won me over in Wake Up Dead Man, so we're including it in this month's marathon run. Your host will be in E8. Let's get food afterwards.

[Profs and Pints Northern Virginia](https://www.profsandpints.com/washingtondc) presents: **“Lafayette’s Long Fight for Liberty,”** a look at the life, struggles, and legacy of America’s favorite fighting Frenchman, with Richard Bell, professor of history at the University of Maryland and author of *The American Revolution and the Fate of the World.* [Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at [https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-lafayette](https://events.ticketleap.com/tickets/profsandpints/nv-lafayette) .] When the Marquis de Lafayette returned to the United States in 1824, Americans greeted him with a frenzy of affection unmatched by anything the nation had ever shown a single individual. Crowds filled streets, towns held ceremonies in his honor, Congress showered him with gifts, and parents named children for the French aristocrat who had helped win the American Revolution. Explore the extraordinary life behind that adulation with historian Richard Bell, whose excellent past talks have earned him a big following among Profs and Pints fans. Professor Bell will take Lafayette far beyond his familiar role as George Washington’s young protégé and the hero of Yorktown. You’ll learn how Lafayette became one of the Atlantic world’s most persistent champions of liberty—fighting for constitutional government, religious freedom, prison reform, press freedom, antislavery, and independence movements from Greece to Poland. You’ll also hear how Lafayette’s ideals repeatedly put him in danger, making him a target of kings, radicals, imperial powers, and revolutionaries who regarded him as “the most dangerous man of all.” Professor Bell will show how Lafayette’s life was full of contradictions: a nobleman who challenged aristocratic privilege, a centrist caught between monarchy and mob rule, an antislavery advocate whose efforts fell short, and a dreamer whose causes often failed in his lifetime. Yet Lafayette never stopped trying to make liberty universal. Come learn why Lafayette’s name still graces hundreds of American towns, parks, counties, schools, rivers, and lakes—and why his most important monument might be not any statue or place name, but the freedoms he helped generations of people imagine, demand, and defend. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID. Listed time is for doors. The talk starts 30 minutes later.) Image: From an 1834 portrait of Lieutenant General Lafayette painted by Joseph-Désiré Court (Palace of Versailles / Wikimedia).

Even though this is posted as a meetup event, this is a self-guided experience, we wont be walking as a group. Let's visit the Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land in America, one of Washington's most beautiful and underrated landmarks. We'll explore the monastery's stunning architecture, peaceful gardens, catacombs, grottos, and replicas of famous Holy Land sites. Often described as a hidden oasis in the city, this unique destination offers a fascinating blend of history, art, culture, and tranquility. Whether you're interested in architecture, photography, spirituality, history, or simply discovering new places and meeting great people, you're welcome to join us. **Cost:** Free **Who can attend:** Everyone is welcome, regardless of faith background. Please dress respectfully, as this is an active religious site. ### What makes it unique? * **A "Holy Land in America"** – It was created so Americans could experience replicas of important Christian sites in Jerusalem and the Holy Land without traveling overseas. * **Underground catacombs** – Few places in DC have catacombs. Walking through them feels like stepping into another era. * **Hidden gardens and grottos** – The 40+ acre grounds are filled with rose gardens, quiet pathways, fountains, and secluded prayer spaces. Many visitors are surprised such a peaceful retreat exists in the middle of the city. * **Architectural variety** – The monastery combines elements inspired by churches and shrines from the Middle East, Europe, and early Christianity. * **A living monastery** – Franciscan friars still live and worship there, so it is not just a museum or historic site. ### Why is it historically important? * The Franciscans have been custodians of many Christian holy sites in the Holy Land for nearly 800 years. * The monastery was founded in the late 1800s as the American headquarters supporting those missions. * It helped make pilgrimage experiences accessible to people who could not afford the long journey to Jerusalem. ### Why do non-religious visitors enjoy it? Even if you're not religious, the monastery offers: * Beautiful architecture and art * Excellent photography opportunities * A fascinating glimpse into history and world cultures * One of the quietest and most serene places in DC * A chance to explore hidden tunnels, chapels, and gardens that most tourists never see Many people visit expecting a church and leave feeling like they've discovered a secret European monastery tucked away in Washington. That's why it is often described as one of DC's most underrated attractions.

NFT's are here to stay folks! This is a group for like minded people interested in understanding, leveraging, using, creating for, profiting from, trading too i suppose, NFT's.. everything around them, complexity, fear and exploits, best practices and more. **PLUS** This group will talk AI ART tools, techniques, artists, video, audio, prototypes and more in the AI assisted production space- ART specifically, but we can get into any aspect of some of the cooler things happening in AI in general.

**Join us for an afternoon of community art and craft time!** Whether you are looking to carve out dedicated creative time, wanting to get a lingering project across the finish line, or just looking to chat with fellow local makers—this is the space for you. 🧵 **What to Bring** Bring any art or craft project you are currently working on, as long as it is portable and quiet. Think: * **Yarn & Thread:** Knitting, crochet, embroidery, cross-stitch, hand-sewing, mending. * **Paper & Sketching:** Sketchbooks, adult coloring books, watercolors, bullet journaling. * **Digital:** Tablets, iPad drawing, laptop writing/design. * *Please note: Because we are meeting in a shared public space, no power tools, sewing machines, or high-odor materials (like strong solvents or spray glues), please!* **📍 Where to Find Us** * We will be meeting at **Columbus Metropolitan Library - Hilltop Branch** in **Meeting Room 4**. Room is reserved under **CBUS Maker Meetup.** **⏱️ Timeline** * **1:00 PM:** Arrive, grab a seat, get settled, and do a quick round of introductions so we can see what everyone is working on. * **1:15 PM - 3:00 PM:** Open maker time! Chat, craft, relax, and swap creative ideas. **⚠️ A Note on RSVPs** The RSVP count for this event is strictly limited to 10 spots. If your plans change and you can no longer attend, please update your RSVP to "Not Going" as soon as possible so someone on the waitlist can grab your spot. Please try to give at least 48 hours' notice if you need to cancel, allowing folks on the waitlist time to check their schedule. *** **We can't wait to meet you and see what you're making! All skill levels welcome.**

Christians in Tech is a community at the intersection of faith and technology. Our meetups are designed to spark meaningful conversations, promote knowledge sharing, and encourage growth—both in your career and your spiritual walk with God. Whether you're an experienced professional or just starting your tech journey, CIT welcomes you. Our Website [https://linktr.ee/citcbus](https://linktr.ee/citcbus) Sponsors and Partners * Improving (Venue Sponsor) * Bethel World Prayer Center (Fiscal Sponsor) * Fruits & Roots (Coffee Partner)

Join the Columbus AI community for a special event. **Battle of the Personal Agents** is your chance to see what people are actually building with AI agents and personal automation systems. Whether you’re running OpenClaw, Hermes, or a completely custom solution, bring your agent and show the community how it works. We’re interested in real-world implementations: the problems your agent solves, how you use it day-to-day, how it’s hosted and managed, how you built it, and why you’ve chosen to keep using it. Live demonstrations are encouraged, so be prepared to show your code, architecture, workflows, and your agent performing real tasks. This is less about polished presentations and more about sharing practical experience, comparing approaches, and learning from one another. If you’d like to present, please contact Chris Slee (via meetup) before the event so we can allocate enough time for everyone’s demonstrations. Come ready to show what you’ve built, discover what others are doing, and maybe find a few ideas worth taking home. Whether you’re deep in the field or just getting curious, come connect with others building and exploring AI in Columbus. Sponsored by [Transform Labs](https://www.linkedin.com/company/transformlabs/) Sign up also accessible via [Transform Labs Luma](https://luma.com/transformlabshq)

Let’s meet and wander the galleries! General admission on Sundays is free.

We're going to GameArena! We'll be in-person at the GameArena Gateway for our monthly COGG Prototype and Play event. Come to play and showcase your games! We're back in the upper levels of the catwalk area. It'll be packed with lots of camaraderie playing your game(s) and other's games on the 2nd floor. Light snacks and water provided but you can buy food and drinks at the bar (alcoholic drink ID required). [www.game-arena.co](http://www.game-arena.co/) **Attendees:** Don't have a game to show? Not a problem! All are welcomed and invited from all ages and backgrounds. The more we can have to play test our games is all the better! **Developers:** Do you have a game that you would like to get critical feedback on? Would you like an excuse to work on a game with other talented artists, programmers, musicians, designers, and writers? Digital, table-top, non-experienced developers, and the like are welcomed! We'll provide signage for your game to help others learn more about your work. Wifi, outlets, tables, and seats (though standing tables also) are available. Come to the Prototype and Play workshop to collaborate and meet local game developers for an evening of epic and raw game play fun! Play works-in-progress, show off your own game, work with others to add polish to a game, or even lend your talents to other fellow developers. For this event, light snacks from the bar and water will be provided! Though you can purchase you own if you like at the bar: [https://www.game-arena.co/menu](https://www.game-arena.co/menu) Can use South Garage at the Gateway with a $5 voucher on your way out. 75 E 11th Ave, Columbus, OH 43201 [https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9](https://maps.app.goo.gl/UwgveUYG37Jy7RtS9) If you have any questions or comments, as always, feel free to reach out to us at [info@thecogg.com!](http://info@thecogg.com!/)

We are bringing Microsoft Build sessions to Columbus Ohio! The Central Ohio Azure Meetup and Central Ohio .NET Developer's Group (CONDG) are coming together to bring some of the labs and breakouts from Microsoft Build to your backyard. In this free, 1 day event, you are going to Build stuff with us! And yes, there will be free food. Please RSVP via [Microsoft Build //localhost:columbus | Microsoft Reactor](https://developer.microsoft.com/en-us/reactor/events/27247/).