WASHINGTON, D.C.
“Sargent and Spain”
The artist John Singer Sargent is perhaps best known for his portraits of high Parisian and American society. But throughout his career, he gravitated to Spain, lured first by the paintings of Diego Velázquez, which he studied and recreated. His enduring fascination with the country is reflected in this exhibition of about 120 drawings, watercolors and oil paintings, many of which showcase Sargent’s landscape work. Through Jan. 2; National Gallery of Art, nga.gov
BALTIMORE
“Coming Attractions: The John Waters Collection”
The director John Waters, a man known as “the Pope of Trash,” has amassed an extensive art collection. This fall, around 90 pieces from that collection, the bulk of which will be donated to the Baltimore Museum of Art after his death, will be unveiled to the public, including paintings, sculptures, photographs and prints from artists including Diane Arbus, Cy Twombly and Andy Warhol. There’s even a piece by Betsy the Chimpanzee, a finger-painting primate and former resident of the Baltimore Zoo (now The Maryland Zoo in Baltimore). Nov. 20 to April 6; Baltimore Museum of Art, artbma.org
Midwest
CHICAGO
“Citing Black Geographies”
In this gallery show, fifteen artists look at spaces that shape the Black cultural experience. The wide ranging works include the video piece “Black & Blue” by Rashid Johnson, in which he places his family in domestic scenes of affluence; a monochrome Soundsuit from Nick Cave; and a site-specific installation by the architect-turned-artist Amanda Williams. In Chicago through Thursday, in New York Nov. 17 to Dec. 23; Richard Gray Gallery, richardgraygallery.com
TOLEDO, OHIO
“Matt Wedel: Phenomenal Debris”
Matt Wedel, a ceramist based in Albany, Ohio, builds sculptures that often resemble organic forms; some are recognizable, like “Lemon Tree,” whereas others are more abstract, like the brightly colored “Fruit Landscape.” These works will be among the nearly 150 on view. Nov. 5 to April 2; Toledo Museum of Art, toledomuseum.org
MINNEAPOLIS
“Paul Chan: Breathers”
In 2009, after a decade of creating moving-image art, Paul Chan decided to take a break, returning to his artistic practice in 2012 with work created for the physical world, moving beyond the screen. The title of this exhibition references that hiatus, as well as a new series of inflatable, moving sculptures made of nylon. Nov. 17 to July 16; Walker Art Center, walkerart.org
