Local filmmaker debuts film at festivals
“Story-telling is essential to our being, to how we relate,” said writer, filmmaker and performer Pamela Woolford, a Columbia resident. “The stories we tell and retell, often changing over time, they are so basic to who we are.” The 51-year-old, winner of a Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Award for screenwriting, has made her directorial and one-woman... READ MORE
A large Irish family’s dance with memory
Tony Award-winning playwright Brian Friel has been described as the “Irish Anton Chekhov.” In fact, Friel translated Chekhov’s The Three Sisters and Uncle Vanya, and then borrowed Andrey from the former and Sonya from the latter for his own one-act work, Afterplay, in 2002. But the connection between these two formidable writers is far more significant than this bit of “character ... READ MORE
Celebrating a visionary’s success
Rebecca Hoffberger, founder and director of the American Visionary Art Museum (AVAM), turns 66 in late September. Most years, her birthday celebration is a cake shared with her staff as they install the upcoming year’s annual exhibition. This year, however, Hoffberger wants a different kind of celebration: She has chosen to honor a few of the individuals who inspire her through “an... READ MORE
Holly Lawn: Damaged home transformed
A news story — especially one about a violent storm — takes on a life of its own. So it is with this year’s Richmond Symphony Orchestra League Designer House at 4015 Hermitage Rd. The home chosen by the RSOL every other year, which area designers decorate, always brings “oohs” and “aahs” from visitors. But this year’s house will resonate with Richmond residents for... READ MORE
When the old family car was like a friend
It was another red light among thousands. Three lanes heading in my direction. I sighed to a stop in the middle one. Then I looked to my left. There, huffing and snorting like the relic it was, I spied a 1978 Ford station wagon. The wagon was red over black. Its rear gate was slightly ajar — probably the result of a fender bender. Its hood was slightly bent — maybe the result of a ... READ MORE
Celebrating Area Artists
From limestone sculptures and stained glass, to photos from as far away as the Galapagos, to paintings that detail faces old and young, to poems that evoke love and loss, more than 900 paintings, drawings, sculptures, photographs and poems poured into the Beacon’s Celebration of the Arts — our art competition for amateurs over 50. Not only was the number of entries impressive; the... READ MORE
Painters pick up a palette after long careers
The winners of the Painting and Drawing division of the Beacon’s Celebration of the Arts competition prove the adage “it’s never too late.” Three winners and 12 honorable mentions were selected from among 418 entries in the competition. Most of these talented painters had long, fulfilling careers in other fields. Only after retirement did our top winners take up the art form as a ... READ MORE
Winning photographers’ unique worldview
Whether they’re exploring the world at large or right outside their window, the award-winning photographers of the Beacon’s Celebration of the Arts see the world through a different lens — both literally and figuratively. Whether you’re inspired, entertained, enchanted or awe-struck, you will be sure to be touched by what they have seen and chosen to show us. The following... READ MORE
Multi-dimensional artists show their skill
Sculpture, jewelry, pottery, mixed-media and more comprised the 172 entries in the Sculpture/Jewelry/Pottery/Mixed Media category of the Beacon’s Celebration of the Arts. Here’s a look at the three top winners. First place Nathalie Pouliquen, Bethesda, Md. “I intend to pay tribute to the reality of the world, to its beauty — apparent or hidden,” said painter-sculptor... READ MORE
Wide variety of creative poetry submitted
From children’s poems to narrative-style storytelling, the poetry category of the Beacon’s Celebration of the Arts saw many submissions from all types of poets, each with their unique style and themes. There were no restrictions on the genre of poetry, and poets did not disappoint with their creativity. The 124 entries were judged by Wendy R. Kaplan, poet laureate of the City of... READ MORE
