In anticipation of the reopening of the Arts and Industries Building on the Mall, the Smithsonian and the Patent Office will launch the Innovation Expo, a celebration of American technologies at the Patent Office’s Alexandria headquarters. [New York Times]

Looking to spend even more money on Obama apparel in preparation for the inauguration? Now you can buy items from professional fashion designers at the Inaugural Store on F Street NW. [Washingtonian]

Another season, another work of art projected onto the side of a museum. Scenes from Ai Wei Wei‘s “Dropping a Han Dynasty Urn” will be projected onto the side of the Newseum beginning tonight. [WJLA]

Lionell Thomas, executive director of the D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities, discusses the state of the arts in the city with professional money saver and bizarre-suit wearer Matthew Lesko. [ART (202)]