Hollingsworth Art Gallery
Each month the Hollingsworth Art Gallery exhibits wildlife-themed art by local and by nationally-known artists.
July 2025
Artist of the Month - Jamie Downs
Jamie Downs鈥� studio is in Kensington but she hails originally from Pennsylvania. She earned a Bachelor of Fine arts from the University of Pennsylvania in Kutztown and studied later at LaSalle, the University of Massachusetts, and Amhearst. As a student she pursued a photojournalistic career, but since the 1980s, which saw the emergence of digital photography, Downs has merged digital elements into mixedmedia works. She has worked now for over 50 years 鈥渆xploring the themes of oneness and transcendence.鈥� Works in different media created years apart seem to fit seamlessly.
Downs has exhibited in numerous one person and group shows. Her exquisite work can be viewed in online galleries 鈥� notably the series of floral archtypes, bees, birds and animals. She has taught at Prince George鈥檚 Community College, Drexel, Montgomery College, and the University of the District of Columbia. Her Kensington Studio is open by appointment.
August 2025
Artists of the Month - Laurel Arts Guild
The Laurel Arts Guild was founded in 1967 and has flourished with the combined efforts of guild members and the Maryland National Capital Park and Planning Commission鈥檚 Arts Division. Located on the grounds of the Montpelier Mansion, it has evolved into an extremely active organization whose president, Efraim Montanez describes it as 鈥渃ommitted to fostering a vibrant artistic community of amateur and professional artists who work in a wide variety of media.鈥� The guild sponsors workshops, instructional and informational programs, plein air painting events, local group exhibitions, art scholarships for students, an annual juried art show and social functions.
Most activities are held at the Montpelier Arts Center (first driveway on the right after entering Muirkirk Road). The Center houses studios, a bronze casting foundry, gas and electric-fired kilns, a digital lab, printmaking presses and classrooms as well as exhibit halls. The guild鈥檚 includes galleries of various artists鈥� work 鈥� and an application to become a member 鈥� Click on and fill out the form. We look forward to their August exhibit which will include work by a number of members.
September 2025
Artist of the Month - Bruce Goodman
September features photographer, Bruce Goodman. Bruce is like quite a few artists and photographers of my (Faith Leahy-Thielke, article author) acquaintance, who had really enjoyed these pursuits as young people 鈥� and attained excellent skills, but needed a day job that paid the bills and supported the family. 鈥淩etirement鈥� reopens opportunity.
At Rutgers College, Goodman worked on the campus鈥� daily newspaper, photographing sports and campus life. Memorable highlights of that time were photo essays of college sports including a championship game at Madison Square Garden. All before he embarked on a 40-year career in 鈥渉uman resources in financial services鈥� in New York City commuting daily from New Jersey! After retiring he joined a local camera club 鈥� and the 鈥渃ommutes鈥� were to India, Myanmar and Japan, along with other countries!
A move to College Park, Maryland two years ago, and acquaintance along biking trails pointed Goodman, his wife, and his camera to birds and wild[1]life locally. Goodman had purchased an Olympus micro-4/3rds camera (smaller, faster, mirrorless) and a telefoto lens 鈥� and captured images of sun and moon rises and sets over the New York skyline. That camera is undoubtedly a wonderful tool for capturing Maryland birds and wildlife. Goodman writes that he also enjoys long exposures of waterfalls and night, and occasionally some street photography. He has earned awards and recognition for iconic images. Hope we鈥檒l see some of them
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