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"Weaving Abstraction: Kuba Textiles and the Woven Art of Central Africa" is the first exhibit in the U.S. to showcase the artistic inventiveness and graphic power of Kuba ceremonial dance skirts within a wide-ranging survey of Kuba design. The Kuba kingdom emerged in the early 17th century in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo. Through Feb. 12, 2012. The Textile Museum, 2320 S St. NW. Suggested donation of $5. Call 202-667-0441 or visit textilemuseum.org.

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Not one but two area museums are offering exhibits focused on the work of Andy Warhol. The Hirshhorn presents "Andy Warhol: Shadows 1978," comprising 102 silkscreened and hand-painted canvases featuring distorted photographs of shadows generated in the famed PopArt artist's studio. Meanwhile, the National Gallery of Art presents "Warhol: Headlines," offering works that the famed gay artist created largely on headlines from tabloid news, documenting his ahead-of-the-curve fascination with sensational news. Both exhibits run through Jan. 15, 2012. Hirshhorn Museum, Independence Avenue and 7th Street SW. Call 202-633-1000 or visit hirshhorn.si.edu. National Gallery of Art, East Building, Constitution Avenue and 3rd Street NW. Call 202-737-4215 or visit nga.gov.

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The Great American Hall of Wonders examines the American ingenuity that energized all aspects of 19th-century society, from the painting of landscapes and scenes of everyday life to the planning of scientific expeditions and the development of new mechanical devices. Included in the exhibit are paintings and drawings by John James Audubon, Albert Bierstadt, Winslow Homer, Thomas Eakins, as well as sculptures, prints, patent models and engineering diagrams. On display through Jan. 8, 2012. Smithsonian American Art Museum's 3rd floor North, 8th and F Streets NW. Free. Call 202-633-1000 or visit americanart.si.edu.

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Close to Home: Photographers and Their Families presents photographs made during the past three decades by both established and emerging artists turning the lenses on their own families to document personal histories and record intimate moments. Through July 24. Smithsonian American Art Museum's McEvoy Auditorium, Lower Level, 8th and F Streets NW. Free. Call 202-633-1000 or visit americanart.si.edu.

Photo by Virginia Beahan: Christina and Gram on Thanksgiving, New Hampshire, 2004. Smithsonian American Art Museum

Pictures of the Year features the best news images from last year, courtesy of the Pictures of the Year International, the oldest photojournalism contest in the world. Gripping photographs from flood-ravaged Pakistan to earthquake-torn Haiti, from troops in Afghanistan to the Canadian Winter Olympics, from the Gulf Coast oil spill to even Lady Gaga, all factor in the exhibit, on display through Oct. 31. Newseum, 555 Pennsylvania Ave. NW. Tickets are $21.95 for general admission. Call 888-NEWSEUM or visit newseum.org.

Race To The End of the Earth follows the race to reach the South Pole a hundred years ago between Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and British Royal Navy Capt. Robert Falcon Scott. Through photographs, historical artifacts, vivid dioramas and interactive exhibits, the exhibit explores the arduous journey the two faced. To Aug. 21. National Geographic Society, 1145 17th St. NW. Tickets are $8. Call 202-857-7588 or visit ngmuseum.org.

Green: the Color and the Cause is the second exhibit in The Textile Museum's year-long exploration of the ties between textiles and environmentalism, following on "Second Lives: The Age-Old Art of Recycling Textiles" (which is still on display until July). The new exhibit explores the symbolism behind the color green, showcasing the work of contemporary green artists as well as historical precedents from the museum's collection. The museum will even have a "growing garden sculpture" installed this month. On display through Sept. 11. The Textile Museum, 2320 S St. NW. Suggested donation is $5. Call 202-667-0441 or visit textilemuseum.org.

The Corcoran Gallery's "Washington Color and Light" is a collection of major works by the artists associated with the Washington Color School -- Gene Davis, Thomas Downing, Morris Louis, Howard Mehring, Kenneth Noland and Paul Reed -- and their contemporaries, including Rockne Krebs, Anne Truitt, Leon Berkowtiz and Alma Thomas. These works of abstract painting and sculpture from the mid-20th Century to the present are united by an exploration of the language of abstraction, a desire to experiment with materials, and a love of color. Closes this Sunday, March 6. Corcoran Gallery, 500 17th St. NW. Tickets are $10. Call 202-639-1700 or visit corcoran.org.

Beyond the Story: National Geographic Unpublished showcases nearly 50 never-before-seen photographs taken by 15 of National Geographic's best photographers over the course of last year, photos left on the "editing room floor." Topics range from Asia's disappearing glaciers to contemporary South Africa to the fight to save the Jordan River to the struggles of women in Afghanistan. Four of the exhibition's photographers -- Lynsey Addario, Jim Richardson, Fritz Hoffmann and Lynn Johnson -- will discuss their work at a special National Geographic Live event tonight, Tuesday, Jan. 11, at 7:30 p.m. Exhibition runs through June 12. National Geographic Society, 1145 17th St. NW. Tickets are $18 for the National Geographic Live event at the Society's Grosvenor Auditorium, 1600 M St. NW. Call 202-857-7700 or visit nglive.org.

Pictured: Afghan women police train with automatic weapons. Photograph by Lynsey Addario.

Colors of the Oasis: Central Asian Ikats focuses on 19th century Central Asian dresses for both men and women distinguished by bold, original designs using vibrant colors. Ikats are prized for their great beauty, and the influence of ikat designs can be seen in contemporary fashion and home décor. Now to March 13. The Textile Museum, 2320 S St. NW. Suggested donation of $5. Call 202-667-0441 or visit textilemuseum.org.