The Athenaeum Invitational is an annual celebration of the visual arts of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, and the District of Columbia. It is a theme-based exhibition featuring the works of both specially-invited artists who have exhibited at the Athenaeum in the past, as well as works selected through an open call for submissions.  This year's invitational asked artists to explore any aspect of Cabinets of Curiosities both literal and abstract. 

Open call submissions were reviewed and selected by Adah Rose Bitterbaum, Owner of the Ada Rose Gallery; Camila Alejandra Rondon, Georgetown University '17 M.A. Art and Museum Studies; and Veronica Szalus, Executive Director of the Athenaeum and independent artist.