August 5 – 27 at Reston Art Gallery and Studios
Artist Reception: August 13
A solo exhibit of paintings by Marthe McGrath presents her large colorful, playful abstracts and smaller introspective pieces in the show Magic & Mystery on display from August 5 through 27 at Reston Art Gallery and Studios. Everyone is invited to enjoy McGrath’s newest works and the music of Andrew Weed’s classical guitar at the Magic & Mystery Artist Reception on Sunday, August 13 from 2:00 until 4:00 p.m.
“The ‘mystery’ pieces invite the viewer to search for hidden meanings while the ‘magic’ canvasses express the joy of life, and the sheer pleasure of painting in Santa Fe recently,” McGrath says. “Year 2023 has been both ebullient and introspective for me. I always seem to paint my emotions whether exuberant or melancholy. My new work reflects both extremes.”
McGrath’s grandfather was a curator at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, where her art training began in childhood. “I spent countless hours there with him as he told me stories of each artist and how they created the masterpiece we were viewing,” McGrath describes. “A lot of classes followed, mostly at the Corcoran.” Despite her classical background, she is not constrained by any rules and is constantly experimenting with mediums and methods. Her travel experiences in exotic places and throughout Europe and the U.S. have also played a large role in her work. McGrath’s Instagram page @mcgrathmarthe offers more insights, and her portfolio and more information can be viewed on her website M2artist.com.
Magic & Mystery can be viewed every weekend through August 27 from 12:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m., or by appointment by emailing the artist, marthemcgrath@gmail.com, or via Instagram @RestonArtGallery. Visitors can also enjoy the display of works by all seven artists at Reston Art Gallery and Studios, 11400 Washington Plaza West, Reston, VA 20190, located on the lakeside by the orange “ART” sign at historic Lake Anne Plaza. Neighboring the gallery are local restaurants with outdoor seating, and it is just steps away from Lake Anne’s Saturday morning Farmers Market. For GPS directions and parking, search “Lake Anne Plaza.” Follow @RestonArtGallery on Instagram, and find more information at RestonArtGallery.com.
About Reston Art Gallery and Studios (RAGS)
This artists’ collective is an inspiring source of beauty and creativity with new shows each month featuring the latest works created by the seven artists of RAGS – Pat Macintyre, Jennifer Duncan, Sandra Dovberg, Rosemarie Forsythe, Julia Tova Malakoff, Marthe McGrath, and Wayne Schiffelbein. On weekdays the artists are preparing commissions, new works, and their next special exhibits, and those working on site can be viewed through the gallery’s expansive glass façade. The unique variety of works displayed at RAGS – paintings in watercolor, acrylic and oil, mixed media, collage, mobiles, photography, original prints, art objects, artist-made jewelry, and more – are available for purchase. Furthering its nurture of art, RAGS offers free, themed Crafts for Kids every Saturday morning at the gallery, April through December, from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. RAGS is open to the public every weekend afternoon from 12:00 until 5:00 p.m. and also by appointment. The orange “ART” sign at historic, scenic Lake Anne Plaza leads to the entrance of Reston Art Gallery and Studios, a Reston landmark established in 1987, located on the lakeside of 11400 Washington Plaza West, Reston, VA 20190. GPS: “Lake Anne Plaza” for directions to the parking area. Follow @RestonArtGallery on Instagram, and see more information at RestonArtGallery.com.
