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Masculine Impressions is the latest titillating exhibit to come to Vitruvian Gallery, the gallery devoted to male figurative art. Gary Fisher's latest series of artworks, mostly oil paintings and charcoal drawings, grows from the command "take off your clothes and make yourself comfortable." Fisher's strokes capture models doing exactly that -- stretching, flexing and relaxing in a sensual display of masculinity. Through May 13 at the Vitruvian Fine Arts Gallery, 734 7th St. SE, 2nd Floor. Visit vitruviangallery.com.

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Intended as a "holiday for space," the annual event Countdown to Yuri's Night celebrates the world's first manned space flight by Russian cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin in the most non-scientific of ways: through a zany night of visual art, performance and music. Among the festivities: an art/science exhibit of local contemporary artists at Artisphere's Mezz Gallery focused on "retro-future visions of space"; the stage show "The Wrath of Shock-a-Khan,” featuring drag queen Lucrezia Blozia as Shock-a-Khan, burlesque stars from D.C. and New York, and music by surf-rockers Atomic Mosquitos; and a "lunar" dance party following a performance by the local jazzy-ska band Eastern Standard Time. The atmosphere will be high all night with $5 Stoli drink specials. Saturday, April 14, at 8 p.m. Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd. Arlington. Tickets are $30 at the door. Call 703-875-1100 or visit artisphere.com and c2yn.com.

Fetishwear is a photographic celebration of "men in and out of uniform," which of course is a particularly prominent aspect of gay art and literature. Vitruvian, Washington's sole venue dedicated to male figurative art, has priced pieces on display for this installation well below typical market value to make them more accessible and affordable. On display through April 1. Vitruvian Fine Arts Gallery, 734 7th St. SE, 2nd Floor. Visit vitruviangallery.com.

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"Fetishwear" is a photographic celebration of "men in and out of uniform," which of course is a particularly prominent aspect of gay art and literature. Vitruvian, Washington's sole venue dedicated to male figurative art, has priced pieces on display for this installation well below typical market value to make them more accessible and affordable. Opening reception, with models bringing the art to life. Friday, March 9, at 7:30 p.m. Exhibit runs through April 1. Vitruvian Fine Arts Gallery, 734 7th St. SE, 2nd Floor. Visit vitruviangallery.com.

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"The Privileged Series" features Anthony Dortch's mixed media images in which he paints directly on top of photos to change the skin tones of people portrayed depending on if they're upper class (yellow) or lower (blue), which he tells Metro Weekly "gives this comic book kind of surreal look to it, or graphic novel feel." Dortch drew inspiration from other artists to create his images, including short-story writer Jackson Lassiter, photographers Stephanie Porter and Julie Sinser, fashion designer Anthony Canney and hair stylist Tim Cabell. On display through Nov. 27. Touchstone Gallery, 901 New York Ave. NW. Call 202-347-2787 or visit touchstonegallery.com.

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Thomas Burkett: Containment and Diversion offers paintings examining the control of water, portraying the damming, diverting and polluting of water -- life's most vital substance. Opening reception is this Thursday, Sept. 1, from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. On exhibit to Oct. 2. Long View Gallery, 1234 9th St. NW. Call 202-232-4788 or visit longviewgallery.com.

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"Kandinsky and the Harmony of Silence: Painting with White Border" provides a fascinating, in-depth look at Wassily Kandinsky's creative process during the five months leading up to his 1913 masterpiece "Painting with White Border (Moscow)," pictured at right. In conjunction, The Phillips Collection also presents "Stella Sounds: The Scarlatti K Series" featuring contemporary works by American artist Frank Stella, a longtime admirer of Kandinksy's ideas. Through Sept. 4 at The Phillips Collection, 1600 21st St. NW. Tickets are $12. Call 202-387-2151 x247 or visit phillipscollection.org.

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"The 14th Annual National Small Works" competition contains 30 prints from artists across the nation, all approximately 13x13 in size. Running concurrently is the solo exhibition by the Washington Printmakers' 2010 winner Kiyomi Baird. On display through Aug. 28. Opening reception and awards program is Saturday, Aug. 6, at 1 p.m. Pyramid Atlantic Art Center, 8230 Georgia Ave. Silver Spring. Call 301-608-9101 or visit washingtonprintmakers.com.

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The Ward 5 artist home and gallery 52 O Street, formerly a People's Drug warehouse and Decca Records office, offers its annual Open Studios event this weekend, presenting a peek into the process and environment of artists engaged in many different disciplines, as well as works for sale by the creators, plus performances, workshops and demonstrations from building residents. Saturday, May 7, and Sunday, May 8, from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. 52 0 St. NW. Visit 52ostreet.blogspot.com for more information.

Works by three painters comprise the Gallery Plan B's latest exhibition: Kathy Beynette, offering fun, whimsical narrative paintings, Patrick Campbell, with complex, color-saturated paintings, and Michele Montalbano, whose gorgeous paintings are layered with ghost-like effects. The opening reception is Saturday, March 12, from 6 to 8 p.m. Exhibit remains on display through April 9. Gallery Plan B is at 1530 14th St. NW. Call 202-234-2711 or visit galleryplanb.com.