Jose Altan-Mejia

Jose has been painting since he was a child and continues to create abstract pieces of what he calls “pioneer” art, featuring bright colors and energetic brush strokes. 

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Ryan Bailey

​Ryan has been making art for 18 years in a variety of media. He especially gravitates toward 3D modeling and 2D digital art using tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator. Ryan’s artistic style is heavily influenced by his exposure to video game designing, and he has studied 3D modeling at the University of Advancing Technology using Maya and level design for video games. In addition to 2D and 3D printing, Ryan also enjoys working with his hands, sculpting with clay and carving with wood. 

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Alex Botts

Alex has a background in the visual arts, which he studied at Virginia Commonwealth University and Northern Virginia Community College. He especially enjoys creating figurative art and is fascinated by the human form. The art Alex is exhibiting this year was created with oil pastels on paper, a medium he has been working with for the past 3 to 4 years. 

Alex enjoys listening to both classical and jazz music when he is creating in his studio and feels that the music inspires him artistically. 

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Michele Bryant

Michele specializes in painting with acrylics, which she began only 2 years ago. Inspired by the natural beauty in the world, Michele creates vibrant, colorfully glowing landscapes, often featuring sunsets. Michele has enjoyed taking art classes to develop her artistic skills at the Ashburn Senior Center. 

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Sherril M. Crawford

Sherril is talented in the artistic fields of beadwork and creative writing. She is most inspired when she visits museums and libraries, as well as when she takes a stroll through the great outdoors.Sherril has created music all her life, written poetry since 1971, and even studied photography in high school. Beadwork is a more recent artistic pursuit, which she began practicing about 10 years ago.On the importance of art, Sherril writes, “Doing art gives you a vision of hope. Everything will be OK. Do it slowly if you can...or let it come straight from your hand.”

 

Ribka Fantaye

Ribka’s passion for art began at the young age of 17 when she was first introduced to it. She refined her skills at New Horizon, where she had the pleasure of presenting her beautiful work to her art teacher, who proudly displayed it in the office. In addition to her visual art, Ribka enjoys creating jewelry—crafting earrings, bracelets with beautiful beads, and necklaces. She has also explored the intricate art of embroidery. When asked what inspires her as an artist, Ribka simply states, “It gets me relaxed and clears my thinking.” 

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Robin Hecht

Robin has been producing art for well over two decades. She studied art in college while running her own business selling handmade jewelry and accessories. Robin is artistically inspired by beauty, fashion, and the people whom she encounters, as well as by her own personal life.

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Nick Kaske

​Nick is relatively new to art and started painting only within the last 3 months. He is currently working primarily with acrylic paint on canvas in an abstract style. His paintings feature bold shapes and vivid colors. 

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Marti Kelly

Marti is a seasoned crochet artist with 50+ years of experience. Her stunning creations are sure to impress. Inspired by the work of her grandmothers and mother-in-law, Marti studied their techniques to master this artistic medium. Now, she sets her sights on acquiring a similar skillset in knitting.​

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Michael Saleki

​Michael has been painting with watercolors and creating pencil sketches for the last year. His paintings feature abstract shapes and bold, vivid colors. Asked what inspires him when he is painting, Michael says that group interactions fascinate him. 

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Paula Weidmann

Paula has studied art her entire life. She has taken classes in high school and college and continues to develop her skills in community art classes. Specifically, Paula has painted with acrylics for 17 years, with watercolors for 11 years, and created clay sculptures for 4 years. Along with painting and sculpting, she also cross-stitches and crochets. Paula is most inspired by color and light. Art gives her hope in which she feels she can fully express herself and find an identity as an artist.

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Yerusalem Work

Yerusalem is an artist who truly thrives in creative environments. The freedom found within a myriad of art mediums, including poetry, photography, film, and music, fuels her creative spirit and desire to express herself.

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Sue Zywokarte

Sue is a talented artist who enjoys working with pencil, charcoal, oil pastels, watercolor, and acrylic, as well as crocheting, beadwork, and various types of printmaking. She loves sketching intimate objects in her artwork and “giving them a life of their own.” Trees, plants, and sunsets are often featured in her artwork. 

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Sue has taken drawing and printmaking courses at Northern Virginia Community College to hone her skills as well as acrylic painting classes from the Reston Community Center for the past 3 years. 

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Sue credits her focus on producing art as being a major part of her own personal recovery. “It helps me get out of myself,” she explains. “Being able to transcend fear and sadness to create a work of art has given me a lot of hope.”