Burke Artists People's Choice Winners

Two Burke artists who are Workhouse Associate Artists (WAA) were chosen as People's Choice Award winners in the Workhouse Artist Associates July 2012 exhibit at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA.  The exhibit continues through Sunday, Aug. 5, in building W-16, the Vulcan Gallery. Admission is free.

Maria Bennett Hock won first place for her pastel titled "Bright Future." Kathleen Best Gillman was awarded third place for her mixed media "November Sky over the Estuary."

Second place winner Kathy Strauss, from Lake Ridge, won for her photograph "Cavalry."

Maria Bennett Hock specializes in painting portraits and figurative pieces that convey emotion. She paints for commissions and gallery exhibits. Her work has been shown at numerous galleries, including locations in Dupont Circle (Washington, D.C.), Alexandria, VA, and Solomon’s Island, MD.

She currently exhibits at the Workhouse Arts Center, where she also volunteers as a docent. She is a member of the Portrait Society of America, Springfield Art Guild and Torpedo Factory Art Center.

Kathy Strauss is a designer, photographer, creative coach, artist, teacher and community volunteer. She is the other half of the creative studio ImageWerks. Her graphic design background gives her imagery a distinct clean style that brings each image to life.

In addition to being a member of the Workhouse Associate Artists, Strauss is also a course instructor through the Workhouse Institute & ArtStar camps. She also shows her work at the Mill Street Studio in Occoquan, VA, as well as various art festivals and other galleries throughout the Washington Metropolitan area and mid-Atlantic. Her business is a member of the Prince William Chamber of Commerce.  

Kathleen Best Gillmann is an award winning artist whose dramatic and sensitive landscapes in pastel and acrylic are often inspired by her immediate surroundings and her native Maine. "November Sky over the Estuary" is the first in her Coastal Maine series, begun last fall.

Gillmann writes about her work on her blog, Very Best Fine Art. Her work is displayed at the Workhouse Art Center, the Loft Gallery in Occoquan, and the Art League Gallery in the Torpedo Factory Arts Center.

The Workhouse Artist Association (WAA) is a juried membership organization consisting of Workhouse Studio Artists -- those who work in onsite studio space --  and Workhouse Associate Artists. Associate Members do not occupy studio space, but enjoy the benefits of belonging to WAA.

For information on becoming part of the Workhouse creative community, call 703-584-2900.