by Jennie Crouch
MAA Writer

The DC area possesses countless places of significance to the history of Black Americans. A number of those spots could also be destinations where artists may want to make artwork that commemorate the places' historical significance. 

In recognition of Black History Month, I've selected eight places in our area with ties to Black history and where artists can expand their historical knowledge and interpret it through artmaking, such as plein air painting.

Note that some of these locations have limited hours or may be closed due to the pandemic. We advise you to contact each location before visiting.

The Thomas Harper Cabin at Brookside Nature Center

Wheaton, MD

Originally part of historic Jonesville, a community formed by freed slaves on land owned by the residents, the Thomas Harper Cabin dates back to the 1870s.

Button Farm Living History Center

Germantown, MD

This recreated 19^th-century farm is a history center depicting plantation life and stories of the Underground Railroad. The farm includes a log cabin, slave quarters, animals and farm crops and skills.

Martin Luther King, Jr Memorial

Washington, DC

Located on the NE side of the Tidal Basin, the MLK, Jr Memorial commemorates the life and legacy of the prominent civil rights leader. It's especially visually appealing as a plein air spot at sunrise and sunset, and during cherry blossom season, if you can manage making art with crowds of tourists surrounding you.
 

Josiah Henson Museum & Park

North Bethesda, MD

On this former plantation property, visitors can learn about the life of Reverend Josiah Henson. Henson escaped slavery in 1830, later helping 118 enslaved people to freedom and publishing his memoirs – which later became the basis of Harriet Beecher Stowe’s landmark novel, Uncle Tom’s Cabin. In the image shown above, you can see the former summer kitchen.

University of the District of Columbia Student Center

Washington, DC

For those artists who prefer architectural subject matter, look no further than UDC’s Student Center. Designed by renowned black architect Michael Marshall, a native of DC, and completed in 2016 the building, in the architect’s words is “the front porch of the university.”

Boyds Negro School

Boyds, MD

From 1895-1936 this was the only public school for African Americans in the Boyds area. Now the one-room building has been preserved and sits among a picturesque wooded backdrop.

Metropolitan AME Church

Washington, DC

As the oldest continuously operating Black church in DC (dating back to 1872), Metropolitan AME has strong ties to Black history – from sheltering runaway slaves on the Underground Railroad to hosting the funerals for Rosa Parks and Frederick Douglass, among other notable figures. The current building  was completed in 1886, and is on the National Register of Historic Places.

Howard University

Washington, DC

From Rankin Chapel (shown above) to Tubman Quad, there are many captivating spots on Howard University’s main campus, which was founded in 1867. In its first five years of operation, Howard educated over 150,000 freed slaves. To this day it is one of the preeminent historically Black colleges and universities in the nation.

Thirty-three members are sharing what gives them happiness in our newest show “Ode to Joy.” The exhibition is on display at the Kensington Park Library, 4201 Knowles Ave. in Kensington for the month of February.

The artists participating in this show are:

Carolyn Avery

David Bagwell

Betsy Kimball Balden

Nancy Carlin

Pearl Chang

Maria-Victoria Checa

Paula Cleggett

Shirley Crawley

Kellie D.

Karen David

Amelia De Silva

Janet DeWoskin

Grace Dobrow

Susan Friend

Lawrence Greenfield

Renee Hanson

Shayna Heller

Jennifer Howard

Teresa Jarzynski

Anastasiya Kavalenka

Elisabeth Lacayo

Judith Levine

Debbie Miller

Gloria Miotto

Terry Pellmar

Albert Perry

Sandra Schraibman

Joan Schwartzman

Martina Sestakova

Ruja Shemer

Alexandra Treadaway-Hoare

Frederica Weiner

Mary (MJ) Wilhere-Jordan

By Ellen Sherfey
MAA Member 

MAA is thrilled to collaborate for the fourth time with Washington Metro Oasis to host an in-person exhibit at Oasis Art Gallery January 10 to April 15. Fifty-nine artists individually express texture, color, design, and inspiration through representational and abstract art for an immersive experience in creativity.

Abstract Seas by Rosemary Yue (acrylic)                                            

High-chroma sea views, one broad, one specific, enrich sensitivity to nature’s brilliant, fleeting moments. Primary colors, such as represented here, marvelously describe how our minds grasp the excitement of such experiences.

While the exhibit is open for viewing for three months, please know that the artworks are bound to find delighted owners.

Spawning by Danielle Bensky  (acrylic)

In addition to the art, we have a few special touches:

Raffle: If you visit the Oasis Gallery to see our show before the end of the March, be sure to drop your name into the raffle box for a chance to win a prize. Oasis and MAA will give away one gift certificate for a free Oasis class and one $25 Plaza Art gift card. 

Workshops: Through our Washington Metropolitan Oasis partnership, two members were selected to lead workshops for the nonprofit, which provides learning opportunities for those over 60. Julie Steinberg taught a session last week on the spiral in nature and art. Sandhya Sharma (shown) will do a talk on March 28 about how abstract elements enhance a realistic painting. Look for info about Sandhya's class when the March catalog is available on Oasis's website.

Julie Steinberg taught a workshop about the instinctive use of spirals in art,
such as in her pastel painting Sunbird.

The Oasis Gallery is in Westfield Montgomery Mall, 7125 Democracy Blvd., Bethesda, MD 20817, in the mall’s southwest corner near the upper level of Macy’s Home. Hours are Monday-Thursday, 11 am-4 pm.

Participating artists:

Laura Aikman

Anne Albright

David Allen

Carolyn Avery

Ken Bachman

David Bagwell

Judith Benderson

Danielle Bensky

Michael Bograd

Elissa Borzilleri

Blandine Broomfield

Sandy Cepaitis

Jean Cooper

Jennifer Crouch

Kellie D.

Nancy Davis

Amelia De Silva

Janet DeWoskin

Susan diRende

Grace Dobrow

Lynn Faiola

Susan Friend

Renee Hanson

Monica Ingudam

Jonathan Jaeger

Hiral Joshi

Lily Kak

Joyce Koeneman

Galina Kolosovskaya

Cecelia M Laurendeau

Mita Lazarte

Judith Levine

Jennifer Lubell

Barbara Mandel

Rod Mayer

Debbie Miller

Dora Patin

Peijisan Art

Teri Pool

Maruja Quezada

Pauline Rakis

Sharon Reinckens

Raya Salman

Ann Schaefer

Joan Schwartzman

Martina Sestakova

Ellen Sherfey

Robert Shiao

David Sommers

Elizabeth Steel

Julie Steinberg

Tena Turner

Mary Vinograd

Anastasia Walsh

Frederica Weiner

Pat Whittle

MJ Wilhere-Jordan

Helen Wood

Rosemary Yue

To access the gallery from the most convenient parking garage: Go to Parking Garage A from Westlake Dr., (between Democracy Blvd and Westlake Terrace). Take the up-ramp to the top of the hump, bear left, drive to the last row and navigate downhill toward the Macy’s entrance (direction away from Democracy Blvd) and arrive on garage’s Level 3. Enter sliding mall doors; Oasis is immediately on your left. enter Parking Garage A from Westlake Dr., (between Democracy Blvd and Westlake Terrace). Take the up-ramp to the top of the hump, bear left, drive to the last row and navigate downhill toward the Macy’s entrance (direction away from Democracy Blvd) and arrive on garage’s Level 3. Enter sliding mall doors; Oasis is immediately on your left. 

Canal in Early Winter by David Allen (oil on canvas)

Nineteen works by 17 MAA members were juried into our quarterly exhibition at Windridge Vineyards in Darnestown, Maryland. Based on the theme “Seasonal Inspirations,” the exhibit is comprised of 17 winter-esque paintings (oil, acrylic, watercolor and alcohol ink), two mixed media pieces, and one photograph. The exhibit decorates the family-run vineyard’s light-filled tasting room.

The featured artists are: David Allen, Ken Bachman, Jennifer Barlow, Marcia Bhorjee, Regina Boston, Holly Buehler, Maria-Victoria Checa, Elizabeth Elgin, Jean Finkleman, Nadine Kim, Angela Lacy, Dora Patin, Martina Sestakova, Elizabeth Steel, Anastasia Walsh, Rosemary Yue and Vicky Zhou.

Ice Ice Baby by Regina Boston (photography)

Windridge will host a “Meet the Artists” event with live jazz music on February 10 from 5-8 pm. Tables at the event are fully booked now, but the venue is adding bar height tables for standing room-only guests, for those who want to come by.

Thank you to show manager Kathy Tynan for organizing this quarterly exhibit and to members Simin Parvaz and Anastasia Walsh for hanging the show.

Seasonal Inspirations runs until April 3, 2022. Windridge Vineyards is at 15700 Darnestown Road in Darnestown, Maryland. All works in the exhibition are for sale.

​By Martina Sestakova

Members of Montgomery Art Association come from all walks of life and their artworks and creative processes reflect this wonderful variety. In this blog, we invite you to enjoy a selection of pieces that explore the Pantone color of the year 2022: very peri. Scroll down to enjoy a lovely array of ideas!

Martina Sestakova, "Crystal Clear"... Clarity. Openness. This painting holds messages and the energy of pausing and quiet and having a strong sense of clarity about ourselves. Enjoy! * Original watercolor/acrylic on yupo, * Size: 4x6" (matted and framed to 6x8"). 

Jennifer Kahn Barlow, "Very Peri Stack" oil on panel, 12x9. "The best quote I ever heard was, 'artwork is not complete without purple' and I truly believe that. Purple, especially Very Peri makes everything a bit more magical, even French Macarons."

Anastasia Walsh, Very Peri is a lovely Blue-Violet, and this recent mosaic, "Tending Her Snap Dragons" uses Very Peri colored beads to show the magnificent Snap Dragons - being tended to by a Dragon herself. Commissioned mosaic, 3rd in Dragon series. Mosaic on an old trowel, 10” wide, 8” high, 4” deep.

Elizabeth Amanda Elgin, This very peri landscape is only 4x6 inches in oils; currently hanging in the Miniature Art Society of Florida Annual Show.

Shayna Heller, Glass Art - Periwinkle Bouquet, 10 x 3.25”, glass powder, painting and tack fusing. This wall hanging brings hand-painting and fused glass powder techniques together to form a special periwinkle flavored bouquet.

Jenny Wilson, “Down East” my old home state of Maine has a unique version periwinkle especially way out east on the coast (40 x 30 acrylic on canvas).

This is a fun animated style time-lapse entitled "snowstorm" by Peijisan Art (digital painting) The piece tries to convey the bleakness and dark uncertainty of trying to get home when the weather turns. (Still shown)

Judith Levine, Bubble Dancer. Watercolour and wax crayon on paper, 9x12. The Pantone blue in the background of this imaginary dancer made it feel more ethereal to me.

Alan Rich, 2017 Porsche 911 carerra. 7.5x9.5 pen and ink, watercolor on watercolor paper.

Leslie Kraff, Hedgerow #2. From Easton, Maryland. Always loved this view from the backyard of a friend's house. The moon just made everything magical.

Mita Lazarte, Peony (oil painting on linen panel 8x8”). I did a series of studies painting different flowers. This peony in particular has the Pantone color of 2022: Very Peri.

Raya Salman, “Celestial Gem”, acrylic, crystals and stones, 12”x16”. Inspired by the gorgeous geodes I saw in Sedona. Depicts enchantment and beauty.

Thank you for stopping by and enjoying the artworks of our members! Be sure to check out our other blogs as we celebrate the unique artworks of DMV-based artists.

Lives in: Silver Spring, Maryland 

Social media: @melouart (Instagram)

Media and subjects: Watercolor, gouache, oils, acrylic; subjects include scenery - landscape, people, sea animals, flowers. 

Why you joined MAA: To be part of the local art community and be inspired by other artists.

Something fun about you: I was an art student at New York's LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. It was at LaGuardia that I learned to play violin.

Artist Biography: I always loved doing art since I was a kid. I majored in art  at the LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts in New York City  and also learned to play violin. I've enjoyed working with many types of fine art media such as charcoal, sketching, inking. But I have the most experience with watercolor in the last few years. I do love journaling with that medium.

I enjoy plein air painting since I get to experience my surroundings in a unique way by expressing it through art. My favorite subject to paint is scenery but have recently enjoyed venturing into oil portraiture.

Melissa's paintings: 

  

  

Lives in:  Chevy Chase, DC, however I grew up in Paris, France.

Social Media:  benskydaniellevisualworld.com    

Media and Subjects:  Acrylic on canvass, paintings often combining human figures and nature in a style I call Narrative Symbolism.

Why you joined MAA:  I joined MAA to participate in activities with fellow artists in the area.

Something fun about you:  I cannot work well unless I have my daily walk in Chevy Chase neighborhood where I love to see confetti on my iPhone when I do 10,000 steps.

Artist's Biography:  Danielle Bensky is a mature visual artist living in Washington, DC, but spending time annually in France and Mexico.  She was trained in both painting and sculpture in France and the U.S., moving from oils to stone and bronze and finally to acrylics.  She has produced several public sculpts.  In the Washington, DC area, notably at the National Rehabilitation Hospital, the Nuclear Regulatory Agency, Georgetown University Campus and other locations.  In Paris, she has exhibited her work at the Grand Palais and UNESCO, as well as in private galleries.  She has also enjoyed a one-woman show at the Maison Francaise of the French Embassy in Washington.  She lives with her Australian husband, whereas their only son and grandson are established in Tokyo, Japan.  Danielle and her husband love to travel and have enjoyed countries as diverse as Greece, Portugal, Spain, Japan, Qatar, Oman and Australia.  

Her Paintings and Sculptures

Fragments of the Unknown Mosaic 1 and 2 - Acrylic on Canvas - 36"x24"

the twin paintings entitled Fragments of an Unknown Mosaic are inspired by themes which are both fundamental and common to many cultures.  From time immemorial, shamanism presented the Tree of the World and the Eden story of the Hebrew Bible presents an intimate connection between Eve, the Tree Knowledge of Good and Evil and the Tree of Life.  These two paintings show a narrative progression from a symbiosis between Woman and Tree, where one gives life to the other, to a face to face between two creatures who are both Woman and Tree, locking arms or branches in a celebration of creative forces.  

Cradle of Life 1- Resin  - H 25" x W 48"

These twinned sculpts are inspired by archetypal themes surrounding the mysteries of life and creation welling up from the Unconscious.  In Cradles of Life 1, whose enigmatic serenity reminds the viewer of iconography from Ancient Egypt, the stillness belies the hidden stirrings of germination within a tutelary goddess symbolizing Natures's promise.  In the companion sculpture, Cradle of Life 2, we are closer to the explosion of energy in the frenetic dances of Dionysus.  However, when viewed in reverse, we return to stillness at the close of the day and the shadows of the Beyond, completing the cycle of life, death and rebirth. 

Cradle of Life 2 - Resin - H 42" x W 50" 

         

By Martina Sestakova

Members of Montgomery Art Association come from all walks of life and their artworks and creative processes reflect this wonderful variety. In this blog, we invite you to enjoy a selection of pieces that explore the theme of black/white/gray. Scroll down to enjoy a lovely array of ideas!

Elizabeth Amanda Elgin, Moonbathing (11x14" oil on cradled panel). I love painting horses and think they are the most majestic animals.

Shayna Heller, The Lozenge Menorah (Fused Glass, 4 x 10 x 5”). This one was a lot of fun to make. A harlequin/lozenge theme inspired pattern of white diamonds dance across this fused glass menorah. I’m not jesting, just trying to bring a smile and an extra bit of fun to our Chanukah nights with these festive lights.

Maria-Elena Lazarte, Vintage Silver Teapot (Oil painting on linen panel 8x8”). I love to paint still life and study the form and how the light travels throughout the objects.

Martina Sestakova, Diving Right In (4x6", acrylic ink on yupo). This painting ponders the courage to keep going: to dive into areas in our lives we don't always understand. I am reminded of the underwater world in the textures and shapes in this artwork.

Judith Levine, The Death of Andrea (I Hurt) (Conte Crayon on paper). This is a very sad piece for me. Andrea was a very dear friend and her death was completely unexpected.

Peijisan Art, A Winter's Day (Digital painting). This piece plays with how it feels on a cold winters walk when you look up at the falling snow among the tree limbs. I felt the monochromatic color choices helped to evoke that cold stillness that happens during our coldest season. 

Christopher Hoppe, Landscape (16 x 20" Charcoal on Paper). A moment when I was hiking as a teenager a very long time ago.

Dora Patin, The Lost Wish (12x12” oil on panel). I painted this piece as a part of my First Friends series, which is about young children’ strong attachment to an object that gives them comfort. This painting is about joy turning into sadness, when this stuffed animal won’t become the object of love due to pregnancy loss. 

Vicky Surles, Mrs. Richard Brinsley Sheridan (after Thomas Gainsborough) (Pencil 5 x 7”). Many years ago, I used to work at the National Gallery of Art as a guard - so I could get to know all the art! I did many small sketches of my favorites.

Thank you for stopping by and enjoying the artworks of our members! Be sure to check out our other blogs as we celebrate the unique artworks of DMV-based artists.

Congratulations to Best in Show winner Stacy Yochum and Paula Eiblum, Robert LeMar, Kathy Tynan, and Patricia Zannie, who all took first-place awards in the Rockville Art League Juried Members Winter Show.

The following 48 MAA members were juried into the show: David Allen, Nancy Arons, Ken Bachman, Marcia Bhorjee, Sushila Bloom, Holly Buehler, Jennifer Crouch, Sarah Clayton Davis, Janet DeWoskin, Paula Eiblum, Susan Sinclair Galego, Lawrence Greenfield, Joan Grosfeld, Stephanie Gustavson, Jennifer Howard, Lee Ann Howdershell, Bill Johnson, Lily Kak, Cecile Kirpatrick, Jim Klumpner, Leslie Kraff, Angela Lacy, Joanne Lamm, Karen Lantner, Cecelia Laurendeau, Maria Elena Lazarte, Robin Lazarus-Berlin, Robert Le Mar, Jennifer Lubell, John MacArthur, Gale Marcus, Isabella Martire, Karen Merkin, Simin Parvaz, Sharon Reinckens, Myra Ryan, LeAnne Sawyers, Patrick Sieg, Penny Smith, Pritha Srinivasan, Carol Starr, Elizabeth Steel, Antonia Tiu, Kathleen Tynan, Helen Wood, Stacy Yochum, Patricia Zannie, and Paula Zeller. 

The show runs through January 14 at Glenview Mansion in Rockville. 

Shown below are a selection of works that members submitted for our Member Happenings newsletter:

Drawn to Life by Jennifer Crouch

No. 63 by James Klumpner

Lives in: Adamstown, Maryland. (However, I grew up in Gaithersburg and Germantown.  Most of my client sessions are located in Montgomery County.)

Social Media: Instagram.com/RMBphotogallery  and Facebook.com/RMBphotogallery

Media and subjects: Photography, including lifestyle family, senior, newborns, and nature fine art.

Why you joined MAA: I joined MAA to learn from the community of artists in the area.

Something fun about you: I’m a Lensbaby Ambassador and love using creative lens to create blur in my images.

Artist's Biography: Regina Boston of RMB Photography is a photographer from Maryland. My family keeps me busy and I love every minute of them: seven kids, ages 10-21, one grandbaby and two adorable dogs. I was born & raised in Montgomery County, Maryland, and recently moved to Adamstown in the country and are enjoying a slower pace of life. I started taking pictures when I was in my early teens of my dolls. It wasn't until I was in my early twenties that I took a Photography 100 class at a local community college, using film and a dark room. That class re-sparked the joy of photography for me and I have been photographing consistently since then.  Other than that class, I am self-taught and have learned a ton through online photography courses. I feel the best way to grow is to keep learning and practicing. I have been traveling around northern Virginia, DC and Maryland capturing photo sessions ever since. 

Photography has opened up a whole new perspective for me. I love to capture subjects as they are, and help people notice small beautiful details in the world around us. I use a natural style of photography, preferring to highlight the moments that make the subject special and unique. I capture moments of playful children and family connections, instead of waiting for a ‘perfect’ expression.  I specialize in newborn, child, senior and family photography.