Art Thrives With New Galleries And Exhibits At VisArts

Glass Box Gallery Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

What if it’s 3 o’clock in the morning and you want to visit a gallery exhibition in Rockville? You can!

Last week VisArts opened three new spaces including the Glass Box Gallery, located in the window of the VisArts TOO shop facing Gibbs Street. Visitors can peer at the large screen 24 hours a day and experience a silent video production. Although VisArts always presents a cosmopolitan vibe, this never-ending tech exhibit brings a very urban feel down to the street. The current exhibit, Mascara, focuses on one eye as makeup is rubbed away. We couldn’t help but watch more than one loop while trying to understand the circumstances.

Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

Every month the new Spotlight Gallery will display the work of a different Montgomery County Public School Art Teacher. VisArts carved this special gallery out of the space in the back of the VisArts TOO shop. The Spotlight provides a wonderful opportunity for teachers to share their work and encourage the pursuit of art. This incredibly public space provides an opportunity for all of us to view and purchase artwork from these educators, but in particular it provides a rare opportunity for students to appreciate the display and sale of art by someone they know. The first exhibit features Angela White’s oils on canvas and cigar boxes in a series entitled Sea Over Land. Described as “Inspiration beyond the classroom”, the monthly shows will inevitably inspire us all.

Family Gallery by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

The second floor family studio has moved down the hall which opened up its former space to some fresh possibilities as an exhibit area called the Portfolio Gallery. To celebrate the opening, Mariah Anne Johnson created a site-responsive installation using the colors of the room and inspiration from the season. The use of fabric in her artwork began almost by accident after she continually combed through thrift stores purchasing fabrics with diverse patterns. Instead of cutting the fabric, the folds and combinations became whole in her projects. With a background as a painter, Mariah uses fabric to replicate the layering which occurs in the painting process to create abstract art designs. Her delightful personality shines through every piece.

Mariah Anne Johnson Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

“As you look around the room, there is just one story after another about both the people and the photographs,” explained the Carl D Brandt about the Best of the Silver Spring Camera Club exhibit presented by the Washington School of Photography in the main Kaplan Gallery. He trusted us with his tender story and enthralling photography descriptions. When he met his wife in a photography club in 1963, he asked her to marry him six weeks later. Together they shared a lifetime of photography until her passing unexpectedly during surgery last year. The exhibit includes some of Carl’s best photographs from across all the years. While catching Lightening in 1950, he ran the risk of being electrocuted. Meanwhile his Chinese Dragon displays the performers in bright sunlight in DC with the background digitally pasted out to black for an amazing contrast.

Carl D Brandt Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

This exhibit includes vibrantly uplifting colors, captured expressions, and nature’s moments. Douglas Walters’ close ups of morning lotus and dancing leaves transform these natural objects into flowing objects reminiscent of imaginary playgrounds. Carolina Simon’s close ups bring you to the surface of another planet, especially with Spiny Menace. Twilight Pleated Wave also embraces roller coaster movement and waves. Although their close-ups masterfully elevate objects to artwork, many of the photographs from the DC area also bring a different perspective to everyday places. If you have any interest in photography, this exhibit is for you.

VisArts TOO Shop Photo by Cindy Cotte Griffiths

All of the VisArt galleries bring innovation and community alive. Now there are even more reasons to go down to the end of Gibbs Street. Remember the VisArts TOO Shop for your holiday shopping, including animal ornaments.

VisArts at Rockville directions and hours are available here. 

"Wearable Art/Un-Wearable Fashion" Unfastens Our Finery

At >Visarts, the edgy exhibit, Wearable Art/Un-Wearable Fashion, turns the concept of clothing inside out.

Jan Mandel

Jan Mandel, an internationally collected Sculptural Jeweler who was a juror for the exhibit, said it demonstrates a new “shift” in society. Due to the financial crisis people are being forced to think outside the box as they did in the early 1920’s. Back then, wealth changed and people redefined what was possible. This special exhibit in Rockville is the first in the DC area to explore wearable art in such a cutting edge manner.

You’ll find dresses incorporating newspaper with cd’s and soda labels with garbage bags. Is the financial situation that bad? If it is, you can always make a shirt out of cigarette boxes.

Because the dress recycled a handmade artifact, my favorite was Marie Bergastedt’s Undercover Waltz ($1,500) made of an antique silk quilt, recycled cotton, velvet, wire, and embroidery thread. Along with recycled items, the exhibit also interprets nontraditional materials. Alanna Buedding’s Kai Qunzi (NFS) used reclaimed leather lacing and rivets from an old factory which had been hand punched and riveted to create the loose, see-through action of the dress. The artist provided the measurements for this remarkable piece and I miss being able to fit into it by one. I won’t say which one.

Undercover Waltz

The Weekly Washing by Lil Schaer of Switzerland gives a doily of an underwear giggle. ($370/piece) Interestingly enough, the Penny Loafers cost more than a penny ($9,500). You might be able to glean the fashion fun which awaits your visit to this exhibit.

Last Friday’s opening reception was packed. The Friday night events at Visarts are often popular but this was a big crowd. Some of the pieces were modeled during a show. A photographer was also on hand to shoot pictures of stylist fashions.

One of the galleries at Visarts has been converted into a working studio for fabric artists and many of their supporters came to see the new space. We’re very lucky to have so many working artists right in our City.

Wearable Art/Un-Wearable Fashion is on exhibit at Visarts until June 19, 2010. Click here for location and hours.

Bang On The Drum All Night

Have you ever dreamed about drumming? >Rockville Central friend and VisArts Studio Artist, Judith Heartsong, tells us that February’s Art After Hours at VisArts Rockville is a drum fest. Bring along your own small drum or rattle to “beat the winter blues”. If you don’t have your own percussion instrument, they will have some on hand.

Do you want to know the absolute best part? Nancy Nuttle is leading the session. I spent years in her Music Together classes with both my sons. This drumming circle won’t turn you into a rock star drummer, but Nancy certainly taught me how to loosen up and appreciate making music with my kids. The drumming is from 7 to 8 PM.

Nancy says:

I am a trained Health Rhythms facilitator and have been teaching music for 25 years. Health Rhythms Recreational Music Making encompasses enjoyable, accessible and fulfilling group music-based activities that unite people of all ages regardless of their challenges, backgrounds, ethnicity, ability or prior experience. RMM ultimately affords unparalleled creative expression that unites our bodies, minds and spirits. No music skills required.

In case you haven’t attended, Art After Hours is free. VisArts swings wide their doors and all the artists open their studios from 6:30 to 8:30 PM. You can see these artists creating and purchase their work just in time for Valentine’s Day. Speaking with the artists, hearing about their techniques, and appreciating the joy of their work is such a fulfilling experience. The arty atmosphere makes for a fine date. I can’t recommend VisArts enough.

Get together with your friends and enjoy one of the most unique Friday nights in the Metro DC area right here in our wonderful City.

Call For Student Photographers And Why We Should Encourage Our Youth to Enter

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Photo from the 2009 Student Exhibit by Alex Rubenstein

VisArts is offering a young photographers a fantastic opportunity to showcase their work. Students in grades 2 through 12 can enter two photos for consideration in the exhibition Points of Departure which will be on display from February 5 to March 27, 2010. The deadline for the Call for Entries is January 11, 2010 and it’s easy to upload the photos here. Entry is free. The photographs will be juried by a stellar panel of Canon’s Explorers of Light (Steve Inglima, Clay Blackmore, Gregory Heisler, Eddie Tapp, and Joyce Tenneson).

Photo from 2009 Student Exhibit by Sam Oshinsky

I was very pleased to be able to ask Digital Arts Director, Tim Hampton, about his experiences when he was younger and why this exhibit is important for the students in our community.

The biggest challenge when I was a creative young person was being taken seriously by adults. But there was a shift when I was recognized by Scholastic for a short story in early high school. I had an amazing feeling of validation that helped nourish me through times when there was a lot of pressure to give up on my various imaginative endeavors.

That’s why I think it’s so important that we provide students with opportunities to be recognized for their creative talents outside of the school environment. Not just pat-on-the-head recognition, but a chance to have their work seen by pros in their particular artistic field. And there’s a double benefit — not only do we encourage students, but we all benefit by encountering their artistic work.

A small but very fulfilling part of my job at VisArts is coordinating the annual Student Photography Exhibition. Student works are juried by the same all-star panel as our main (non-student) photography show, and their works are displayed in a public gallery for all to see. I hope being showcased in the exhibit will help encourage creative students not to give up on their dreams.

For the full details, download the PDF Flier.

For questions, Tim Hampton can be reached at digitallab@visartscenter.org.