Are you gonna vote for Kamala Harris?

Then go see this show and buy some art! May become a historic piece in the years to come!

Margaret Dowell's new website

The amazing artist Margaret Dowell has a new website and it showcases her enviable talent! Visit it here: https://www.margaretdowell.com/

At BlackRock opening tomorrow

The Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Montgomery County (HCCMC), in partnership with Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce (GGCC) & BlackRock Center for the Arts, is proud to announce the opening of Hispanic Heritage Month with Colores, an exhibition celebrating the vibrant talents of Latino artists residing in Montgomery County. Colores showcases the rich cultural heritage and eclectic creativity that the Hispanic community contributes to our local arts scene.

“We are thrilled to partner with BlackRock Center for the Arts and the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce to launch this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations,” said Dr. Mauricio Vásquez, Executive Director at HCCMC. “Colores is more than an art exhibition. It’s a celebration of the diverse stories, experiences, and perspectives of Latino artists in our community. We are grateful for the support of BlackRock Center for the Arts and the Gaithersburg-Germantown Chamber of Commerce, and we invite everyone to join us in honoring the artistic achievements of our local talent.”

 

In the Kay Gallery

BLACKROCK CENTER FOR THE ARTS

12901 Town Commons Drive

Germantown, MD 20874

 

Reception

14 Sep, 4:00–7:00 PM 

As part of BlackRock’s ‘24–25 Season Launch festivities + followed by a concert from Cuban jazz group Dayramir Gonzalez Vicet (<<Buy One/Get One FREE tickets at this link). Catering by Rio Grande, Germantown.

 

On View
07 Sep–03 Nov

 

Artist Panel

05 Oct, 2:00–4:00 PM, during the Germantown Oktoberfest

 

Closing Reception

01 Nov, 5:00-7:00 PM, More details TBA

Vote for Pippi!

Pippi has been entered in the Partnership for Animal Welfare (PAW) 2025 Calendar photo contest. 

Please vote for Pippi and make a donation to PAW on her behalf. 

The contest ends at 9:00 pm on Sunday so not much time left (sorry). Please forward as you wish. Vote for the Pippinator!!!!

The URL for the website is https://www.gogophotocontest.com/pawrescue/entries/544809 

Lest we forget

 



"Studio View, 9/11"
Oil on Canvas c. 9/11/2001 by David FeBland

Zenith to host a show focused on Kamala Harris

 

Goodbye James Earl Jones

This story starts in the mid 1990s, while I was still on active duty in the US Navy and stationed in the DMV, which at the time was known mostly as the Greater Washington area and as the National Capital Region by the Navy.

As part of my job, I used to travel quite often and probably about half the time I used to sweet talk my way into a free upgrade to first class on most of the flights. 

Whenever I have free "wait" time in my hands, such as waiting to board at an airport,  I start drawing in a nice hardbound drawing book that I carry when I travel. It is a habit that I started in art school in the late 70s and carry to this day.

One summer day around 1995 or maybe 1996 I was flying back to National airport,  and had been already upgraded to first class and seated on a window sit.

Once seated, I pulled out the sketchbook and continued a drawing that I had started earlier that day at the terminal.

A bit later the gent that would be seating next me on the aisle seat arrived, nodded a hello, and sat down. I smiled and nodded back and went back to my drawing.

Suddenly I heard the voice of Darth Vader come from the sear next to me as my fellow traveler said: "That's a mighty nice drawing you're working on..."

Stunned, I turned in slow motion and instantly recognized James Earl Jones, who was smiling.

I nearly said, in what probably would have been a loud voice, "Darth Vader!", but I caught myself and didn't. 

The drawing was the ice breaker and we spent the rest of the flight chatting.  I recall that for some reason we both talked a lot about our grandparents?

It was a very pleasant flight, and at the end, I gave him the drawing as a gift and wrote my name and address on the back. He was very grateful and we shook hands and parted ways.

About a month later I received and old fashioned thank you card from Jones with a nice note. Inside was a Polaroid photo of the drawing, framed and hanging (I assume) on his wall.

Good bye, sir. It was an honor to share the planet for a while with you.