"Journey" Through An Artist's Landscapes

The Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) kicks off its fall season Oct. 2 with "Journey," an exhibition by DC artist Freya Grand.

Featuring powerful landscapes, Grand's work was derived from notes, photos and sketches collected from her travels around the world.  Her art reflects the scenery she has observed, as well as the more intangible inner landscapes of human beings.  

"My travel is an important material-gathering kind of activity," says Grand. "I don't go knowing what I'm looking for; it's more like I go opening myself to the possibility of seeing something that will affect me deeply."

Grand's collection of 21 large, oil-on-canvas paintings, depicting landscapes ranging from the receding tides of the ocean to mountain passes, evoke a wide range of feelings, such as peace, turmoil, solitude, and connectedness with nature.  Also in the collection are 18 two-inch square framed pieces that Grand says is a nice change of pace from her larger format.  

"It changes everything and focuses your attention," Grand says. "In a way it's like looking through a keyhole."

Joanne Bauer, GRACE exhibitions director, says Grand's work is modern yet classic at the same time.

 "Freya's paintings are so wonderful,"   she said. "She paints the landscape in a way that harkens back to previous time periods, but is also very contemporary."

Since the first major exhibit of the fall season sets the tone for GRACE's educational programming,  the organization seeks collections with a lot of breadth. Grand's paintings deliver exactly that.

 "Her work is actually fairly traditional, but it is such an unusual take on the landscape," says Bauer. "The paintings are all really rich emotionally and very succinct."

Grand will speak at the  opening Saturday at 5 p.m., with a reception following.

Programs featured in conjunction with the exhibition, which runs through Nov. 12, include  "Art in Hand" for preschool aged children;  "Super Studio!, " a hands-on workshop with the artist, for kids ages 6-10; and "Art With a Twist" featuring a live dance performance by the Jane Franklin Dance Company.

For information about these and other GRACE programs, visit GRACE's website.