Seeing and Doing Art

BHV discovered that local museums have wonderful exhibits, by known and unknown artists, of paintings, photographs, woodcuts, and drawings of scenes from nature.  We visited Glenstone, a nationally recognized museum, a twenty minute drive from BHV, that seamlessly integrates art, architecture, and nature into a serene and contemplative environment. Although recently changed, Glenstone had a complicated registration process making it difficult to obtain a ticket.  BHV was able to secure 6 tickets which offered an opportunity for members to visit both the indoor art exhibits and walk some of the nearly 300 acres of landscaping that is fully integrated with the architecture and art. 

Glenstone’s landscape includes paths, trails, streams, meadows, forests and outdoor sculptures throughout the grounds. What caught the attention of our group was the pond and water lilies in the museum’s courtyard. Outside, as we walked the grounds we were attracted to the very large meadow that unifies the landscape and emphasizes the contours of the restored terrain. 

In contrast to the visit to the nationally recognized Glenstone Museum, BHV also was attracted to exhibits at the local Katzen Museum, part of American University. During the course of this grant, the Katzen Museum had three  exhibits focused on nature.  One exhibit that BHV was particularly attracted to was Nature’s Tapestry, photographs by Bernis von zur Muehlen.  In this exhibit there were a series of photographs of  bald cypress knees (cypress trees that grow in swamps) in mysterious arrangements at water’s edge, trees undergoing seasonal changes viewed from the artist’s home, and shadowy scenes evoking landscape as a dream.  

We were fortunate to have a student docent who had done considerable research about the artist and her work. The student’s lecture helped us focus on several meaningful themes including the sense of mystery and magic in the landscapes that were miniature in scale but often startlingly in their effect on the observer. The photos of the trees, viewed several times in different lights, showed the inevitable progress of the seasons, an imitation of mortality and rebirth. 

This exhibit and lecture had a deep impact on the group. Following the tour we stopped for coffee and a long discussion about the group’s reaction to the exhibit.  

BHV Members as Artists 

In our very small organization we discovered several wonderful artists who focus their works on nature.  They were willing to share their passions.  Among our members we discovered an award winning watercolorist and fabric artist.  The watercolorist painted gorgeous landscapes and still life pictures.  We visited an exhibit of eight local watercolorists that included her paintings.  A special opportunity was that she walked us through the exhibit and described the various techniques used by the different artists. She brought our attention to how artists used materials and color to enhance their work.  Her pictures were notable because unlike the other artists in the show she always included a figure in her landscape to illustrate the human scale.  

Another member of our village is a fabric artist. She uses materials from nature– twigs, acorns, bark and leaves as dyes and components of her quilts and wall hangings.  She took us to see an exhibit at Strathmore Mansion, a local historic house, where several of her works were displayed in a juried art show. Like the watercolorist, she walked us through the exhibit and explained her technique as well as the techniques of other artists in the exhibit.  Having the opportunity to have the works of art curated provided a deeper understanding of the art.  

Given the interests in art among our members it was clear that there were many “would be” artists. We contracted a local artist to offer a one time watercolor class. The class was described in BHV’s monthly newsletter and was immediately oversubscribed. More than a dozen people participated, none had tried watercolor before, though some had taken an occasional art class. On a beautiful spring day the class was held in the Triangle Garden.  

We all assembled at tables that had vases of leaves and flowers. The instructor immediately gave us various exercises, including selecting something each person liked from the arrangements on the table and then drawing it with your eyes closed and then repeating the same exercise but drawing it with your non-dominant hand. The teacher then showed us several different brush strokes and gave us a quick lesson on complementary colors. After this rapid fire lesson, the instructor encouraged the class to walk around the garden and select an object each person liked. Then we were given around 10 minutes and encouraged to use some of our new skills to paint the object. At the end we all shared our new works. The instructor walked around and provided feedback– though amazingly it was all positive. This class was extremely well received and participants were eager to share how the exercise had stimulated their inner artist.  

Reading about Nature

The hallmark of Bradley Hills Village is its book group.  From BHV’s founding there has always been an active book group that meets monthly.  The book group spends time at each meeting discussing the book and then catching up with friends.  In addition to socializing, the book group takes on serious topics.  The book selections alternate, month to month, from fiction to nonfiction.  Over the past ten years the group has read many books about animals and nature, focusing on the environment, birds, ecology and more. Appendix 3 is a list of the books on nature that will be read during an eighteen month period.  The books Together: The Healing Power of Human Connection in a Sometimes Lonely World, by Vivek H Murthy M.D. and The Nature Fix: Why Nature Makes Us Happier, Healthier, and More Creative, by Florence Williams had significant influence on this project. 

A major event for this project was having Florence Williams, author of the Nature Fix, conduct an in person book talk. She spoke at a Book Group meeting that was attended by more than sixty people from BHV and the neighborhood.  She described the science of why nature makes you happier and recent research about  how nature affects how people think and feel, and how these benefits can be reconciled with our increased urbanization.  She spoke about how elements of nature can help us cognitively and psychologically, reducing stress, recharging our cognitive energy and enhancing our creativity. 

She went on to describe how the mere smell, sound or sight of nature can change our brains and potentially improve health and educational outcomes. She discussed the immediate and gradual benefits of nature that the more time spent in nature, the greater the reported levels of wellbeing.  She reported on research about the benefits such as improved cognition and creativity, lower stress and anxiety, and lower blood pressure, among other benefits. Much of her work and research validates this project and the experiences members are having being in nature.  

Although it is not always possible to have an author attend a book group event in person, it is possible to have an author speak to a book group by zoom or conference call.