A life long passion for the visual arts has inspired Bethesda based artist Elyse Harrison to produce her narrative, often surrealistic paintings, initiate a highly successful fine art education program, Studio Neptune, and launch one of Bethesda's leading contemporary art galleries, Gallery Neptune. Neptune relocated in the fall of 2008 to Bethesda, Maryland's brand new LEED certified Peripoint building, located in the hub of downtown Bethesda. Elyse Harrison has served on the board of the Arts and Humanities Council of Montgomery County and is a member of Bethesda's Arts and Entertainment advisory board.
"Our classes for children remain intentionally intimate and thrive on the idea of "hand-idea" coordination. I believe a child can develop their creative side best by freely incorporating the ideas and views that make sense to them at different stages of their growth.
The non traditional classes for adults that are offered at Studio Neptune use creativity as a means of relaxation, fun and artistic discovery. They serve as a reminder that life is not only about our frenzied schedules and that to delight in our unique creative selves is surprisingly within reach. Tapping into that resource makes us more balanced and therefore productive, a benefit to ourselves and all the people we interact with everyday."
Elyse Harrison "From Water" 16" x 60" acrylic on wood
Award winning architect Michael Belisle, AIA, LEED AP and designer of The Peripoint Building where Studio Neptune is located, has received numerous awards for his commercial, residential and historic work. His passion for architecture firmly embraces sustainable building practices.
Michael Belisle joins our program through March to teach a relaxed and informative class "The Armchair Architect":
"Who has imagined themselves to be a master builder? Fulfill your "Lego" or "Erector Set" fantasies by designing and building an architectural folly. Whether it is a doghouse, birdhouse, teahouse, temple, or shed, free your imagination from the banalities of budgets, building codes, and client demands. You are the client! You only have you to please! This class will explore the basic rudiments of sketching, drawing to scale, structure, and building a scale model of your vision."
Michael Belisle PeriPoint Building, 5001 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD