CAH Press Contact: JR Russ, [email protected]
Cell: 202-671-2786
Curator: Ira Tattelman, [email protected]
Website: www.founddc.net/finders
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 1, 2026
“Finders Keepers” Exhibit Opens at DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities
Fifteen local artists turn found objects — both manufactured and natural — into art in the new exhibition Finders Keepers. The works in the show span a fascinating variety of media and elicit recognition, surprise, and curiosity by highlighting how artists alter and recontextualize common materials to address social, historical, and environmental realities.
Walking through Finders Keepers, one finds meaning and opportunities in the abundance of materials in our everyday world and makes connections between past, present, and future generations on earth.
Finders Keepers runs April 2-May 22 at the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities (CAH) Eye Street Gallery, 200 I Street SE, open weekdays from 9am–5:30pm.
The exhibit includes the following free programming:
Opening Reception | April 2, 2026, 6-8pm
Found DC workshop and exhibit | April 18, 10am-4pm
at Alethia Tanner Park, 227 Harry Thomas Way NE, DC
Earth Day Performances | April 22, 6-8pm
Using found objects as instruments or inspiration, performers take over the gallery space for an evening of fun and celebration.
Finders Walk | April 25, 10am-12pm
Starting at the CAH gallery, curators will lead a neighborhood walkabout and discussion about creative uses of discarded objects.
Closing Reception and Artists’ Talk | May 21st 6-8pm
The artists in Finders Keepers— Niki Afsar, Sondra N. Arkin, Kanchan Balsé, Chris Combs, Luis Del Valle, Heather Ferris, Gayle Friedman, Layne Garrett, Megan Barber King, Sandra Pérez-Ramos, Lisa Rosenstein, Veronica Szalus, Ira Tattelman, Gloria Vasquez, and Vanessa Villareal—force us to consider the sustainability of our community. Through observing the resourceful ways objects scavenged from the waste stream are manipulated, combined, juxtaposed, and disguised, we consider humanity, interdependence, and the responsibilities we have to one another and the environment.
Finders Keepers and the accompanying programs are curated by Kanchan Balsé and Ira Tattelman and funded by a 2026 Art Exhibition Grant from the DC Commission on the Arts and Humanities.