The Washington Post recently launched Real Art D.C., a shiny new platform for contemporary art in the Washington region, as well as a related competition open to all area artists.

Real Art D.C. is an online virtual gallery of artwork by local artists which will allow The Post’s audience to discover and connect with Washington’s newest talents. This online user gallery will be driven by the local arts community – the artists who submit work and the dealers and teachers who encourage artists to upload images. The site will display any artworks that members of the community chose to post.

It’s definitely worth a peak.