Senior Artists Alliance and Women's Art Exchange at The Activity Center at Bohrer Park

The Senior Artists Alliance and Women's Art Exchange, two different artist collaboratives, are showing their work at the from March 18 through May 15.

The show includes 59 individual pieces. An eclectic array of paintings, pastels, mixed media, photographs and sculpture, these artworks are on display Monday through Saturday, from 8 a.m. until 9 p.m., and Sundays, from 8 a.m. until 5 p.m.

The Senior Artists Alliance boasts a membership of over 100. Its members exhibit throughout the Washington, DC metropolitan area and hold monthly meetings featuring guest speakers. Meetings are open to members and guests.

Retired and over 60 years of age, its members have diverse backgrounds. A City of Gaithersburg press release on the upcoming show sums up their backgrounds:

"Those who are retired architects have mastered the art of design and composition. The retired scientists and engineers know the properties of paint and the feasibility of working with metal, wood, stone, and clay. Retired doctors have left behind the ordeals of former patients; no-longer-practicing lawyers no longer worry about “billable hours;” the dentists already have the tools they need for precision; and the “stay-at-home-moms” have finished raising children. These newborn artists have retired to a second exciting life — one that keeps them vitally alive."

Through active engagement in the arts, members of The Senior Artists Alliance exercise their creative powers daily and exchange their expertise with one another. Life-long students, many of them attend art classes at Montgomery College. The group has been in existence for the past ten years and its membership is growing constantly.

"The SAA is composed of older artists, many of whom spent their professional lives as artists. Members work in virtually all media, including photography, painting, and sculpture," said Bruce Blum, one of the artists featured in the show at Bohrer Park.  "The organization sponsors open meetings once a month, and we are a friendly, supportive group.  For me, the major advantage of SAA membership is the ability  it affords to show my work, have it critiqued by my peers, learn about the work of others, and informally exchange views with other members.   As to my work:  I've been an amateur photographer since the mid 40s and have worked in a number of styles.  The work in this show reverts back to my interest in traditional black and white imagery with a full tonal range from highlights to deep blacks.  Other works of mine emphasize formal design, color, and/or emotional involvement."

The Women's Art Exchange supports women artists and has been in existence since 1979. The group holds monthly meetings from September until May and provides a space where women interested in the arts can express themselves freely and creatively.

To learn more about The Senior Artists Alliance, click here.

To learn more about The Activity Center at Bohrer Park, click here.