OF BETHESDA AND ART: AN INTERVIEW WITH LISA BROTMAN
by Souheil Chemaly
Bethesda Art Blog
January 31, 2008
What do artists living in Bethesda think about the art scene here? What could be done to make it better? I took these questions by email to Lisa Brotman. She has been a permanent fixture of the Greater DC area art scene for almost 4 decades now. She lives, works, and exhibits in Bethesda. Everyone will have the chance to see her work in her upcoming solo show at Gallery Neptune in May 2008 (to be reviewed then). In the meantime, you can always check out her work at http://www.lisabrotman.com/
Can you please talk a little bit about how you got to Bethesda and when?
I first moved to DC in 1971, lived in Glover Park, then Arlington, and then to Bethesda in 1981. At that point, I had two young children, and my husband and I thought Bethesda was a nice place to live - very close to DC, good schools, and convenient for both of us. We found a house that had a perfect room for my studio with wonderful light. I had rented a place on P Street for many years, and wanted to have a studio in my house.
How was the art scene then? How does it compare to now? How has it evolved over the years?
I don't think there actually was an art scene in Bethesda at that time. "Downtown" Bethesda was tiny - just a few streets of little stores. I remember a deli on Bethesda Avenue, a children's shoe store, and of course the cement factory on Arlington Road. There wasn't much going on - quiet and quaint. The art scene has evolved very gradually and there are now a number of really terrific galleries. I think the more quality galleries that open, the better.
What inspires you? And is it hard to find inspiration in Bethesda? What is your favorite part of living in Bethesda?
What inspires me in making art has totally to do with the inner workings of my mind, not where I live. My work is a reprocessing of my life experience, my feelings, exposure to everything and everyone. So, I don't think of it as looking to Bethesda for inspiration. There are many days that I'm in my studio and don't leave the house. If I want, I can be at any museum in the city within a half hour, driving or by metro. There's always a show I want to see. Living in Bethesda is great because it's close to everything - a great library, book stores, farmer's market, movies, etc. and I can get to galleries and museums in DC and Virginia easily. I like the small town feel of Bethesda but its proximity to DC.
Bethesda is not necessarily a stereotypical city for the arts; no design district, no abandoned warehouses, no historical neighborhoods... the Washington Post does not miss a chance to remind us of it. How do you think this affects more artists moving into Bethesda? Or is it simply that most artists are priced out of Bethesda?
It's sad that the Washington Post doesn't miss a chance to knock Bethesda as an art destination. I think it's very narrow minded to hold the view that good art can only be made and shown on gritty city streets and in warehouses. I don't get that at all. Most of the artists I know have an extraordinary inner mental life, and their imagination functions anywhere and everywhere - Bethesda, Silver Spring, Riverdale, Arlington, wherever. I'm sure geography has some influence, but it's a lot more complicated than that. I don't see why good art couldn't be produced anywhere. I know many artists who have lived in Bethesda for a long time - they are quietly making art and producing great work. Adolf Wolfli made some pretty amazing art in a psychiatric hospital for most of his life. Why not Bethesda?
Bethesda gathers people who live in the immediate area as well as people who come to enjoy the restaurants and shops. Why shouldn't more galleries want to open and engage these people? I would imagine the biggest problem is how expensive it is. If there were adequate incentives for cheaper space, perhaps more galleries would come. I hope so.
What kept you in Bethesda?
I've stayed in Bethesda because I love it here. My kids are grown and have settled in Bethesda as well. It's really wonderful having them nearby. One of my daughters is a psychologist at NIMH, and the other is an artist and works in my studio with me sometimes. I love having my studio in my house, friends in my neighborhood, and the proximity to DC.
What do you think of the gallery scene? Do you think that galleries are doing enough to help?
I think the gallery scene is gradually developing and doing a great job welcoming visitors and presenting shows of interest and quality. I have high regard for Gallery Neptune, Heineman-Myers, Fraser, and Osuna to name a few. I was represented by Gallery K, in DC for 25 years. It was a great gallery and both owners passed away several years ago. I have participated in many group shows since, but didn't really know which gallery would be best for my work. I met Elyse Harrison because there were several shows at Gallery Neptune that interested me. She's very engaging, we got to know each other, and she asked about my showing there. She's exhibiting some artists whose work I respect and like, and I really admire her energy, innovative ideas, and her tremendous motivation in talking to visitors about the art that she shows. So, I'm having a one person show there this May. I also have known Kate Fraser for years, have been in some group shows there and respect her a great deal. She has some terrific artists in her stable, and adds to Bethesda's art scene in so many ways. Ramon Osuna had a first rate gallery on P Street when I first moved to DC in the early 1970's. He brings much knowledge and experience to the Bethesda art scene.
What do you think about Montgomery County's initiative to have a certain number of "subsidized" artist studios in new condominium buildings? What else can be done to help?
The Bethesda Urban Partnership seems to be a great organization and brings people to Bethesda with street fairs and different functions. The events are crowded and fun, and hopefully introduce new people to the galleries here.
Subsidized artist studios would be a great way to get more artists living in Bethesda. It is expensive to live here now, and any means of providing more affordable space would be helpful. Additional patrons of the art would help as well.
I think developing a very exciting and active art scene takes time and patience on the part of the gallerists and the artists who show here. Publicity for good shows is essential and using every means possible to get the word out takes time, energy, and money. It would be nice if residents of the area felt some commitment to supporting the artists by coming out to see the shows, and then hopefully finding work they love and wanting to own it. The gallery owners I know are always interested in new programs and ways to attract interested viewers. Perhaps discussion groups, artist talks or workshops, even studio visits would continue to bring more people in. I love going to events like that, so I imagine lots of people would. And, artists themselves have to be proactive and learn how the system works. Probably the biggest challenge is getting curators and critics to include Bethesda on their radar. As for the artists who live here...we'll just continue to paint and do what we do, because we are propelled from a place that nothing could stop us anyway.