Phillips plans Feb. 4 Valentine’s event

The Phillips Collection opened its doors in 1921, eight years before the debut of the Museum of Modern Art in New York. The intimate setting of this distinct Georgian Revival house, located in Dupont Circle, is filled with paintings and modern works by Renoir, Rothko, Bonnard and O’Keefe, van Gogh and Diebenkorn to name a few. And there’s no better time to experience the museum than at its monthly Phillips After 5 events, held the first Thursday of the month.

On Feb. 4 from 5-8 p.m., Phillips After 5 has a special Valentine’s Day-themed event planned. Sip Champagne with your valentine or maybe meet one while sampling Brazilian tapas with capirinhas from chef Andrew Holden of FoodArts. Indulge your sweet tooth with chocolate fondue and Godiva chocolate liqueur. The Music Room offers poet Shani Jamila for a recitation of Georgia O’Keeffe’s letters to her husband Alfred Stieglitz, to the accompaniment of violinist Matthew Hemerlein and music spun by DJ Adrian Loving.

The exhibits will include “Object as Subject: Photographs of the Czech Avant-Garde,” which closes Feb. 7. Attendees can also share in the love story of Duncan and Marjorie Phillips with gallery talks about their personal and professional partnership.

The Phillips Collection will have a special Art & Romance video diary booth set up for attendees to stop by and share how art has inspired love in their life. There will also be a series of early 20th-century short Czech films rarely seen in the U.S., introduced by associate curator Elsa Smithgall. In addition, the DC Agenda staff will be special guests at the event, so come and rub elbows with us over cocktails and chocolate. The Phillips Collection is located at 1600 21st St., N.W.