Quite The Show At VisArts

I must admit a prejudice, when I hear an exhibit is a “members show” I don’t hold very high expectations. Usually the show pulls from a small pool of artists so there’s not a wide range of talent. >Camouflage at VisArts obliterated my bias.

The show is comprised of the work from the members of Visarts. Anyone can join and receive a discount on classes and shop purchases. The exhibition was juried by Rex Stevens from the Maryland Institute College of Art and includes photographs, collages, oils, simple graphite drawings, fused glass, and imagination.

Here’s a fun twist. You can bribe the judges to pick your favorite for Best In Show. Donate a dollar for every one of your votes, pencil in your choices on the tally sheets, and the judges will pick the artwork with the most votes.

We were lucky enough to meet Sterling “Rip” Smith who lived in Rockville for 17 years but now resides in West Virginia. Last year he came to visit and was blown away by VisArts and our new Town Center. He joined VisArts to support their impressive programs. His two photographs catch the eye. View From The Court ($150) stretches out the columns of the Supreme Court portico with the Capital building in the distance. Rip explained his process. The finished product is actually a blending of five photographs taken at different exposures, so that the entire view is un-shadowed and detailed.

Herb Perone’s photographs exude sexuality. You can’t miss it. You can’t walk away. He captures the look, the feel and the daring of an available woman without regard for norms. The woman in Color Me Blue ($350) is enticing, inviting, textured, and true. The Cat Woman (($350) is one sexy kitten.

VisArts continues the dialogue with artists by encouraging visitors to send letters to the artists. After you answer one of the questions, you place the note in the mailbox and all of the responses will be delivered at the end of the show.

• What did you notice first?
• Is there a part you don’t understand?
• Is something missing?
• Does it remind you of anything?
• Should it be bigger or smaller?
• Do you want to keep looking at it?

Down the hall a second exhibition entitled Unique Visions provides the studio artists from VisArts with a chance to spread their wings. The most shining example is Mimi Harris. Her whimsical necklaces are featured in this month’s Washingtonian magazine, but her contributions to the exhibit go beyond necklaces to reach the ceiling and adorn the walls. How could we not notice Judith Heartsong’s Can You See Me ($1,400), an extremely red peacock? Kathie Perry Lynch’s Can’t See The Forest For The Trees ($950) is a glass panel with depth of sky and birch trees reminding me of my property in the Catskills. The recycled men’s neckties woven on a floor loom by Johnnie Gins are always eye-catching and her Family Ties ($325) is no exception. (Yes, you can bring in ties and she’ll make a very personal one for you.) Alan Sislen’s archival pigment prints ($295 each) feature a curved building which is artwork all on its own making the photos beyond unusual. Although you can visit these artists in their studios and purchase their work, the exhibit combines their gifts in a unique flourish.

The kid’s room, besides having a wonderful painting by Judith Heartsong called Bright Birthday Flowers, provides shapes to trace and masks to make. Children can camouflage themselves and read some books.

The only thing camouflaged is a true understanding of the talent in these exhibitions. Bribe away – it’s for a good cause.

Both exhibits are on display until September 5, 2009. Check the VisArts website for summer hours and changes due to special events.

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