A Penny for Your Thoughts

News of Greater Falls Church

There are many talented artists in Mason District, and many opportunities to view, and purchase, original art by local artists. Green Spring Gardens Park, in the Lincolnia area of the county, is hosting two wonderful art shows currently. You can view Thomas Wright’s magnificent “Skyscapes and More” at the Manor House and then stroll over to the Horticultural Center to see Darlene Kaplan’s captivating Oriental brush paintings.

Dr. Wright, a Mason District resident, was trained as a surgeon and spent much of his professional practice at Inova Fairfax Hospital. Painting was an avocation then, he says, but became an obsession after he retired. Making art is not easy, Dr. Wright notes, and it requires much thought and patience, even when he is painting “just for fun.” Many of the paintings on display at the Green Spring Gardens Manor House have huge splashes of colors that often are elusive in nature, but capture those fleeting moments when the sun’s reflection washes the clouds with lavender, scarlet, or a brilliant coral.

Alexandria artist Darlene Kaplan notes that, in Oriental brush painting, each biological entity, such as a plant or animal, has a symbolic meaning. For instance, pines with cranes symbolize longevity, while pines alone stand for constancy of friendship in adversity. Any fish represents happiness and regeneration of life, and a pair of fish means a long and happy marriage. A watercolor of two fish can make a very nice wedding gift, according to Darlene.

Green Spring Gardens Park is located north of the intersection of Little River Turnpike and Braddock Road, and can be accessed from its new entrance on Braddock Road, just across from the Pinecrest Golf Course. The Manor House exhibition is open Wednesday through Sunday from 12 to 4, and closes on April 27. The Horticultural Center exhibit is open from 9:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Monday through Saturday, and Sundays from noon to 4:30 p.m. Admission is free, and paintings are for sale at both exhibits. Darlene Kaplan also is the featured artist in the Art at the Mason District Governmental Center program. Her paintings may be viewed during regular office hours, 8:30 a.m. until 6:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, until next week.

The headquarters for the Arts Council of Fairfax County also is located in Mason District, at the Fred Packard Center in Annandale Community Park, 4022 Hummer Road in Annandale. Led by Executive Director Ann Rodriguez and an active Board of Directors from both community and business interests, the Arts Council plays an important role in encouraging and maintaining opportunities for all kinds of art and artistic expression as part of the quality of life we enjoy in Fairfax County. For more information on Arts Council programs and activities, call 703/642-0862.

Penny Gross is the Mason District Supervisor on the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors. She may be emailed here.