New Exhibit Opens at Potomac Gallery

Three photographers and one ceramic artist will share the spotlight at Gallery Har Shalom’s “Far Away, Close to Home” exhibit, opening Friday, May 4. These local artists are exhibiting pieces that evoke the spirit of Israel, which is far away, yet close to home for the Jewish community.

Photographers Susan Maldon Stregack and Rollin Fraser of Silver Spring are a married couple who have had some of their photographs displayed as a part of the “Portraits of Life” exhibit at Montgomery College, which featured words and images of Montgomery County residents who are Holocaust survivors.

Germantown’s Neil Willens enhances his digital photographs through the use of paper and editing. Many of his creations have been exhibited in various galleries in the mid-Atlantic areas and Willens says of his work “I don’t so much like to change images, but prefer to have them elicit a sense of presence, seeing the finished image and feeling what I did when there.” Neil has exhibited in a variety of civic and private galleries and venues in the mid-Atlantic area and at the Saatchi Gallery Online.

Artist Michael Poness’ ceramics will be familiar to Har Shalom members, as Poness designed the synagogue’s sanctuary.

The exhibit opens on Friday, May 4 and will run through Monday, June 25. An opening reception is planned for Saturday, May 6 at 11 a.m. Contact Har Shalom at 301-299-7087 for more information.