Opening Reception: David Gootnick

Join us for the opening reception of David Gootnick’s solo exhibition as part of Touchstone Gallery’s 50 for 50 Visual Artist Spotlight. Gootnick is a mixed media artist working principally with wood, drawing from the Japanese art form kumiko—a technique developed roughly 1400 years ago—to create intricate geometric patterns made of hundreds or thousands of individual pieces. His contemporary interpretations blend traditional Japanese artistry with modern and ancient motifs, aiming to broaden exposure to kumiko among artists and the public. The exhibition runs from June 10 through June 16, 2026, and the opening reception on June 10 offers an opportunity to meet the artist and view his work.

When: Wednesday, June 10, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM (opening reception); exhibition continues through Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Where: Touchstone Gallery, 901 New York Avenue NW, Washington D.C. 20001, United States. Price: Free. Description: David Gootnick’s 50 for 50 Visual Artist Spotlight exhibition features his contemporary kumiko works—intricate geometric patterns assembled from narrow pieces of wood. Gootnick respects traditional Japanese patterns while creating modern and ancient motifs. His compositions are made of hundreds, often more than a thousand individual pieces of wood. He seeks to broaden exposure to this form, which has few examples outside Japan. Artist: David Gootnick originally from Rochester, NY, studied at the College of Art and Design in Rochester and earned a BA in Art History from Harvard University. He began studying kumiko in 2015 and finds it a fulfilling way to blend traditional Japanese artistry with contemporary design. He is attracted to kumiko’s intricate patterns, symmetry, and the interaction of geometry and art. His studio, which he designed and built, is a place of contemplation. Gootnick has exhibited at the Chautauqua Visual Arts Gallery, the Wharton Esherick Museum, the Trenton City Museum, the Parthenon in Nashville, the Delaplaine Arts Center in Frederick, Maryland, and the Arts Club of Washington DC. Technique: Kumiko uses narrow pieces of wood to create intricate geometric patterns; Gootnick’s works are contemporary interpretations of this Japanese art form. Exhibition Note: 50 for 50 is an artist opportunity that invites 50 community artists to showcase their work at Touchstone throughout 2026, the year of Touchstone’s 50th anniversary.