June 2026 Newsletter

3rd Edition of the LAG 57th Art Open Juried Exhibition at Montpelier Art Center.

Into Plaza Major by Ken Bachman 18×24 oil

LAG Annual New Member Luncheon

The annual New Member Luncheon will take place on Saturday June 13, 2026 at 12:30 pm at Chido’s Tex-Mex Grill in Laurel, Maryland. New members are invited to bring one artwork to show while enjoying lunch paid for by LAG. Existing members are encouraged to attend, but will be expected to purchase their own lunch.

The address for Chido’s is 14600 Laurel Pl, Laurel, MD 20707. From Route 1, go west on Cherry Lane. Take the first left onto Laurel Place, pass the Olive Garden, and continue straight to the end of the road to enter the Chido’s parking lot on your right.

Please RSVP to Stacy Andrews at stacy.voccia@gmail.com by 5 pm on June 10.

Dear Friends, Artists, Guests, and Supporters,

After the wonderful experience of the LAG 57th Open Juried Exhibition at Montpelier Art Center, I feel deeply grateful for the blessings that guided us and for the many supporters who offered encouragement, thoughtful recommendations, and kind wishes along the way. Despite a few challenges during the process, the exhibition became a beautiful reality. It met and in many ways exceeded our expectations, showcasing an inspiring collection of high-quality artwork.

This year, our juror truly raised the bar. The selected works reflect a high level of artistic knowledge, skill, and experience. The thoughtful and inclusive process offered artists meaningful opportunities to be considered, setting a new and exciting standard for future exhibitions. This evolution challenges our artists to continue growing, ultimately strengthening both their artistic journeys and professional paths. The Laurel Art Guild remains committed to supporting each artist along that path to success.

I would like to warmly congratulate the award recipients artists who invested time, dedication, and talent to create truly outstanding pieces:

First Place was awarded to Mr. Bachman for “Into the Plaza.” This remarkable painting sparked engaging conversations among LAG Board members, particularly as Vice President Obed Díaz has personally visited the very location in Spain that inspired the work. The juror praised its exquisite perspective and strong composition recognition that reflects the artist’s exceptional effort.

Second Place was awarded to Professor Mo Bilbeisi for “Wharf 27.” This watercolor presents a compelling composition, where bold, expressive brushwork contrasts beautifully with darker tones. The reflections and distant horizon create a striking visual rhythm that draws the viewer in.

Third Place was awarded to Ahmed Alkarkhi, a returning award recipient from 2025, for “Finding the Home.” This piece conveys a powerful message through the use of warm, harmonious colors and a thoughtful horizontal composition.

To all the artists who participated, thank you for your commitment, patience, and passion. Your contributions made this exhibition truly special. I remain dedicated to creating more opportunities that support your growth and recognize your hard work. New initiatives are already in development to further that mission.

With appreciation,

Efraín Montañez

President, Laurel Art Guild

Remember you can pick your artpiece during this week according Theatrical Technical Director. This flexibility helps artists who can’t come next Saturday June 6 due date from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Montpelier Art Center.

Update from Bri McDermott, Theatrical Technical Director M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County Montpelier Arts Center 9652 Muirkirk Rd. Laurel, MD 20708

Hi Efrain,

Congratulations on the exhibition! With my office above the gallery, I’ve had the chance to hear visitors as they walk through – there have been many positive comments, and it’s clearly been very well received.

The exhibition closes on Sunday, and I’ll begin preparing the gallery for the next show on Monday. Please remind your artists to pick up their work as soon as possible, ideally on Monday or Tuesday. I have limited storage space and want to avoid any risk of damage to anyone’s work.

Thank you!

Interview with first place winner of the LAG 57th Art Open juried Exhibition Mr. Ken Bachman

I had little time to explore my own artistic skills during my 45 years as a practicing lawyer in an international law firm in Washington DC with offices around the world. Nevertheless I would scratch the itch on vacations taking my watercolors and doing paintings of scenes from our trips. As a young boy in Paris for two years, I had made frequent trips to the Louvre and had begun to paint. With few friends nearby, it was uplifting. I found it gave me great enjoyment and some recognition from my fellow classmates. This feeling of enjoyment and accomplishment made a lasting impression. When I retired at age 70, I decided that I would try my hand at being serious about painting. I first started tentatively with classes at the Yellow Barn. They confirmed my desire. However, individual classes could not provide the solid and cohesive base of knowledge and familiarity with the techniques and approaches to painting I felt I needed. My decision was to pursue a three year program in oil painting with the Compass Atelier that I completed 10 years ago. This was a fully satisfying choice and greatly enhanced my artistic abilities. Since then I have been regularly and actively engaged in oil painting.

I have always found the greatest inspiration and pleasure in paintings that capture the real world with differing styles of realism. My first love was for impressionism and I often use it in my work to convey a sense of the moment. With the benefit of visiting countless museums, I find that the differing approaches of many artists offer new ideas for inspiration in conveying realism and beauty. My paintings generally use a wide variety of blended and subtle colors to best capture what I really see. Frequently I find that a strong contrast of light and dark enhances interest and produces beautiful effects.

Most of my paintings are landscapes, frequently with figures. They are based on scenes I have visited and know well, some local to our area and others from the extensive travel we have enjoyed throughout my life. Often I find town and city streets provide interesting structures for my landscapes to capture the mood I am seeking. I avoid the tourist scenes and look for ones that provide a true sense of the time and place. I usually try to imbue a sense of mystery that invites the viewer to look closely and to find the little elements that provide some joy of discovery. Early morning and late day are some of my favorite times. Sundown in a city is also a source of inspiration to capture the glow and movement of light among the buildings.

Apart from landscapes, I also enjoy painting portraits that capture the spirit of an individual. I find that persons who have lived life for some time show their character in their features and are often the most enjoyable for me to paint. I have included two examples in the attachments.

Since I spend a lot of time on walks in the woods, painting animals in their natural settings appeals to me. I also enjoy still life scenes drawn from their natural setting, such as a magnolia flower blooming on a tree.

It is hard to single out a favorite painting of mine at this point. They are each different and that is important to me. It makes my experience in painting fresh and enjoyable with each work. The first really satisfying painting I did is easy to identify. It is a painting of an old wooden barn on a remote farm after a snowfall that I did in 2015. It reminds me of works by Andrew Wyeth and conveys a sense of solidity in the face of difficulty. A photo of it is in the first attachment below.

My painting Into the Plaza awarded first place in the Laurel Guild show is a favorite piece from my current period. It is based on our trip to Madrid Spain and the walk down the narrow street into the old main plaza with its wide vista, historic buildings and imposing statue, and all the umbrella-shaded spots to visit and have a drink. The women and men heading down the street to the archway and into the plaza added life, depth and color to the scene I wanted to capture. To convey the sense of depth of the plaza the far buildings are rendered softly in comparison to the nearer foreground. I also wanted the varying colors and reflections on the walls as points of interest to move your eye around the scene and keep you looking.

Painting is a labor of love for me. Fortunately my law practice has made it unnecessary to depend on art sales for income. As a result, my prices are modest for the quality. It gives me great pleasure when someone decides to purchase one of my paintings because it signifies how much it appeals to the buyer.

I am constantly looking for new inspirations to paint and generally find that they appear often enough to keep me busy to the right degree.

I have attached a selection of my oil paintings that are available for sale. All of my works are viewable with prices on my website at kbachmanart.com. My email is kbachman43@gmail.com.

Winner of the LAG 57th Art Open Juried Exhibition

First Place Kenneth L. Bachman Into the Plaza - Oil

Second Place Professor Mo Bilbeisi Washington DC Wharf 27 Watercolor on Watercolor Paper, 12"x18"

Third Place Ahmed Alkarkhi Finding the Home - Oil, 28x36

From: Ms. Carol Leo

Just a reminder that we are planning a plein air art event for Thursday, June 4. All LAG artists are invited to join us for a day of painting/drawing/photographing in the beautiful rustic area of Brookville, MD. We will meet at the private home of our hosts, who have graciously offered to open up their property and also point us to other possible subjects in nearby areas.

Here is what host had to say: “There is water in the creek on Gregg Road near Georgia Avenue. Also, a place to park if someone is interested. There is a pond behind the old barn on Gregg Road. I know the owner and will have a conversation with him about access. I think he would welcome visitors. Our greenhouse is complete! The landscaping isn’t done, but I know it will be of interest to someone.” We will meet at the host location at 9:00 AM, and then choose our areas of interest for our artwork. The address will be given to those LAG members who plan to attend.

If you are a LAG member and interested in attending, it is not too late to sign up. Reply to this email. We are looking forward at this event!

Blessings, Carol Leo, Plein Air Chair Laurel Art Guild

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Plein Air Art event is exclusive for Laurel Art Guild Members. If you look to be part fof this awesome experience, contact Ms. Leo to become a member and participate. paintoutdoors@laurelartguild.org

"Mayor Keith R. Sydnor of Laurel presented the Laurel Art Guild with a Mayoral Citation, honoring the organization’s years of dedicated support to local artists."

Presented to

Laurel Art Guild

In recognition of 57 years of dedication to the arts and cultural enrichment in Laurel, Maryland

The Laurel Art Guild has played an important role in strengthening our community by supporting artists, encouraging creativity, and bringing people together through the visual arts. For 57 years, the Guild has provided opportunities for artists to share their work and for residents to engage with and appreciate the arts.

The opening of the 57th Art Open Juried Exhibition at the Montpelier Art Center on Sunday, May 3, 2026, marks an important milestone and a continuation of this meaningful tradition.

On behalf of the City of Laurel, I am pleased to recognize the Laurel Art Guild for its lasting contributions and to invite the community to participate in this special event.

Given this 3rd day of May 3d, 2026

Keith R. Sydnor

Mayor, City of Laurel, Maryland

Rob Marks Art Studio

Where Nature Meets Canvas Original landscape paintings that capture the energy and emotion of the natural world, bringing life and inspiration to your space.

I’m an artist who finds inspiration in the raw beauty of the natural world. Whether I’m kayaking through the mangrove tunnels in the Florida Keys, hiking national parks, or enjoying the beauty of the Washington DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area, I’m constantly seeking moments where nature’s energy intersects with human experience.

My paintings are created using thick impasto techniques with acrylic on canvas, building layers of texture that you can almost feel. Each brushstroke captures not just what I see, but what I feel—the power of crashing waves, the serenity of moonlight, the vibrant chaos of Times Square at night.

Through my work, I aim to bring the energy and emotion of these landscapes into your space, creating pieces that inspire wonder and connection to the natural world.

I can be found at www.robmarksartstudio.com, or on Facebook or Instagram by searching Rob Marks Art Stud

Hello my wonderful friends! I am honored by your presence at my exhibition at the Sandy Spring Museum and I hope you will share this event with your friends.

A Masterclass in Miniature: Mark Adler’s Tea Bag Art Captivates at the 57th Annual Open Juried Exhibition

Did you attend the Laurel Art Guild’s 57th Annual Open Juried Exhibition? If so, you likely found yourself drawn to a particularly unique demonstration that bridged the gap between everyday objects and fine art. We are, of course, talking about the captivating work of Mark Adler, whose miniature paintings on tea bags became one of the most talked-about highlights of the event.

Mr. Adler’s demonstration was more than just a display of skill; it was an invitation into a world where the canvas is unconventional, and the results are profound. Attendees had the rare and wonderful opportunity to engage directly with Mark, observe his intricate process up close, and hold these delicate, one-of-a-kind art pieces in their own hands.

It is truly rare to see an artist transform a discarded item into a vessel for such detailed expression. His ability to capture complex scenes and textures on such a restricted surface is a testament to his immense talent and refined perspective.

For those who couldn’t attend, or for those who simply want to revisit the magic, we are pleased to share this short documentary capturing Mark Adler’s creative process. It offers an intimate look at how he translates his vision of the world through his talented hands.

Whether you saw his work in person or are experiencing it for the first time, we invite you to take a moment to enjoy this look into a truly unique artistic practice.

Mellow Yellow, watercolor. Awarded 1st Place in the Associate Members Division of the Baltimore Watercolor Society exhibition.

Diane Shipley was awarded 1st Place in the Associate Members Division of the Baltimore Watercolor Society’s exhibit at the Meeting House Gallery in Columbia. It is called Mellow Yellow and is a watercolor painting. The reception will be held on Sunday, June 14, from 2:00 – 4:00. She will also have a table set up for sales of cards and small paintings and prints.

LAG Board Members

President:

Efrain Martinez

Vice President:

Obed Díaz

Co- Vice President

Josué Martínez

Immediate Past

President:

Mary Ellen Simon

Appointed Officers

Exhibits Chair:

Kobina Ahoto

Plein Air Chair:

Carol Leo

Scholarship Chair:

Margaret Kohn

LAG Liaison

Margaret Panebianco

Update from Bri McDermott, Theatrical Technical Director M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George's County
Montpelier Arts Center 9652 Muirkirk Rd. Laurel, MD 20708 Hi Efrain, Congratulations on the exhibition! With my office above the gallery, I’ve had the chance to hear visitors as they walk through - there have been many positive comments, and it’s clearly been very well received. The exhibition closes on Sunday, and I’ll begin preparing the gallery for the next show on Monday. Please remind your artists to pick up their work as soon as possible, ideally on Monday or Tuesday. I have limited storage space and want to avoid any risk of damage to anyone's work. Thank you!