Artists Welcome Spring at BlackRock

The Art League of Germantown (ALOG) held its annual spring show and sale, "Shades of Spring," at BlackRock Center for the Arts this past weekend.

The show featured more than 40 artists and eight forms of media: paintings, drawings, photography, jewelry, pottery, mixed media/collage, wood carving and fiber arts.

Terry Lynch of Germantown was one of three demonstration artists during the three-day show, which concluded Sunday. His chip carvings on butternut wood featured Islamic, Buddhist, Chinese and Celtic motifs.

"The American movement in chip carving comes from Scandinavia," said Lynch who spends ample time researching before embarking on a project. "That means a lot of geometric patterns in this country. I like to find other types of designs, whether they are found in ceilings, illustrated books or temples."

Lynch transfers found patterns onto wooden boxes and carves and paints the designs.

Other participating artists demonstrated an innovative edge by delving into unfamiliar territory and exploring new techniques.

Jaree Donnelly, photographer, jeweler, painter and ALOG member for nearly 10 years, showcased a photograph of cherry blossoms printed on metal. Originally a pastel artist, Joane Aarons has been limiting herself to small, 8x10 inch canvases and a seven-color palette for her plein air oil work. Carol Purcell, ALOG member since the 1980s, started out with monotypes and has since moved into jewelry and ceramics. Combining printmaking and photography with collage, ALOG Vice President Jeanne Sullivan creates mementos at all scales, including pendant necklaces and original cards. Jeweler, painter, collage artist and ALOG member for six years Pat Bacon subsitutes shikishi board for watercolor paper and uses fine brushes to melt colors into one another.

"I collect lots of materials and see where they take me," said Bacon, whose adventurousness captures the streak of many other ALOG artists.

Current members consider ALOG an excellent entry point for new and emerging artists in the Montgomery County area.

, who participated in "Shades of Spring" with four paintings — two of which won awards in county and state fairs — said she thought ALOG was more open to new artists.

“For artists who are just starting and learning, ALOG provides a great example of how to participate in group exhibits; how to install an art exhibit; how art receptions are organized; how to price and sell the artworks,” Parris said. “The chain of support from artist to artist is getting stronger every year, and more and more artists are joining the group. It is a great experience and opportunity to exhibit your artwork in a fabulous art center.”

Parris, who served as gallery curator for the City of Gaithersburg for several years and , invited ALOG to exhibit at Kentlands Mansion in Gaithersburg and the Sandy Spring Museum recently.   

The group has an upcoming show at the Activity Center at Bohrer Park in Gaithersburg from May 11 - July 5, 2012 with an opening reception on May 23, from 7 - 8:30 p.m.

ALOG is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, having partnered with BlackRock since the center's groundbreaking in 2001. According to ALOG exhibit chair and coordinator Linda Phillips, ALOG raised money for the incorporation of a gallery space at BlackRock.

"We were involved since the first shovel was put into the ground," said Phillips, founder of Something Earthy Pottery Studio in Laytonsville.