WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Pepco Edison Place Gallery is proud to host the red carpet opening reception for the Life Pieces To Masterpieces Celebrates Black Brilliance Exhibition at 6 p.m. Thursday. This fall exhibit will run through Friday, Nov. 7.

The exhibition features 50 major paintings from Life Pieces' catalog of over 1,000 pieces, including the unveiling of several paintings created during this year's Connecting Communities Across the Globe Summer Program. Most of these paintings will be available for purchase or lease on site or online through the Art by Life Pieces program, http://www.lifepieces.org/art-life-pieces.

Also on display will be the 10 highest rated photographs from the 2014 Colors of Life International Photo Contest benefiting Life Pieces To Masterpieces (LPTM). Photojournalists from around the world submitted images for the contest under the theme "Young Men, Big Dreams" to match the emphasis of the work at Life Pieces.

The exhibit will close with a night of music and cultural exchange through Songs in the Key of Life Pieces: International Youth Voices on Saturday, Oct. 25. The event will feature performances by five international youth artists as well as by Life Pieces program participants.

Founded in 1996, LPTM uses artistic expression to develop character and leadership, unlock potential and prepare African American males ages 3 to 25 to help transform their lives and communities.   

The Pepco Edison Place Gallery is open to the public Tuesday through Friday from noon to 4 p.m. and admission is free.