Meet the artists; view their winning entries
The first place, second place, third place and honorable mention winners in the Celebration of the Arts competition will be receiving their awards at the Beacon's 50+Expos, which will take place in Springfield, Va., from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 30, and in Silver Spring, Md., from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 14. Click here for details on the 50+ Expos. All readers are invited... READ MORE
Jurors announced for amateur art contest
The Beacon’s Celebration of the Arts — an online competition for amateur artists over 50 — continues to invite entries from throughout the Baltimore/Washington area in four categories: Painting and Drawing, Sculpture/Jewelry/Pottery/Mixed Media, Photography and Poetry. Prizes include cash awards and gallery showings (including a showing in downtown D.C. at the Pepco Gallery, and... READ MORE
Contemporary Art Institute opens at VCU
The $41-million Institute for Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University — built entirely with private money and opening April 21 — is the most recent feather in Richmond’s many-feathered cap. Almost five years ago, Forbes magazine listed Virginia’s capital city as one of the top 10 up-and-coming cities in the world for entrepreneurial startups. And last year Virginia... READ MORE
Piecing together a new career
Starting a retail business at the age of 66 might be considered by some as “questionable,” Gail Rosen agreed. But that’s just what she did last spring when she opened Andamento, her Hampden studio and gallery featuring fine art mosaics and handcrafted jewelry. “I built myself a playhouse!” said Rosen, noting that the gallery features her own mosaic art as well as jewelry... READ MORE
Communities offer opportunities for art
When Sophie Ruotolo moved to the Residences at Thomas Circle in downtown Washington, D.C. at age 93, she knew it was going to be a “big adjustment” after living in her home in Florida. Fortunately, the move ended up being a blessing, since she discovered her biggest passion there: art. Now 98, Ruotolo spends most of her time painting on canvas using acrylics and watercolors, or... READ MORE
World premiere focuses on Cone sisters
What’s it all about — art, literature, love, life? Those are questions the play All She Must Possess attempts to explore to varying degrees in Baltimore playwright Susan McCully’s meta-theater premiere, being presented by Rep Stage at Howard Community College. The 80-minute, one-act play doesn’t just break the “fourth wall,” it tears it down completely. Here, “the... READ MORE
Spotlight on Russian crafts
Chalk it up to my Russian heritage, but I’ve long been fascinated by Russian crafts, and by Fabergé eggs, in particular. So the current exhibition at the Walters Art Museum, “Fabergé and the Russian Crafts Tradition: An Empire’s Legacy,” was right up my alley. But you don’t have to have a Russian grandmother to appreciate this exquisite display. Fabergé eggs are renowned for ... READ MORE
Retiree rekindles passion for painting
Former homemaker, beautician and banker Pauline Rakis is making up for lost painting time. It’s a pursuit she had put on hold for decades. At 74, she is now on a full brush-on-canvas schedule four days a week, at least six hours a day. One of the 25 artists who own and operate the co-op Artists Gallery in Ellicott City, Rakis spent many earlier years styling the hair of other women,... READ MORE
