Artists Undertaking Gallery April Newsletter

Artists Undertaking Gallery
April 2026 Newsletter

Dear Subscriber First Name,

“The April winds are magical / And thrill our tuneful frames / The garden-walks are passional / To bachelors and dames.”
― Ralph Waldo Emerson

April is here and you can see the changes happening everywhere. Trees are blooming, birds are singing and everywhere you look, it feels new. We are excited for new work in the Gallery to welcome Spring. Come on in and see what we have to offer!

“Magnolia Blossoms” by Dawn Pritchett

This month we are welcoming a new artist, Maureen Costantino. Maureen is a ceramic artist based in Northern Virginia. She holds a Master’s degree in Ceramic Arts from Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. Working primarily in functional forms, her work combines original vessel design with hand-painted and graphic surface imagery influenced by cultural heritage, personal history, and abstraction. Take a look at her web page to learn more about her, or stop into the Gallery and see her work for yourself. Maureen will be at the Gallery on April 19.

Who are you and what do you do?
I am Maureen Costantino, a lifelong artist—always in spirit, now in fact.

What is your background?
As a child, I was always drawing, painting, making, making, making. My father tried to send me off to nursing school, but I wasn’t having any of it. Behind his back, I quietly switched all my applications over to art programs, finally settling on studio art at The State University of New York, Potsdam. It’s a good thing it was 10 hours away from home. My dad wasn’t too happy with me for a while!

Why art? Why do you do what you do?
I am thrilled to finally call myself a full-time artist after so many years of having to sneak it into everything I did. It’s in my blood. I have to make art.

What is your favorite artwork?
I love the work of the Impressionists and Post-Impressionists. They, more than anyone else, influence my style. I like their looseness of execution and interpretation.

ARTIST OF THE MONTH

This month we are featuring Patti Durbin. Patti works in mixed media, fiber art, copper and photographic prints. About her work, Pattis says “My images are as diverse as humanity itself, showcasing the joy and uniqueness that come from embracing one's true self. I believe that art has the ability to shape and enrich lives, and through my creations, I aim to weave positive messages of diversity and self-empowerment.” Check out her work on her linked web page, or better yet, stop in the Gallery and see it in person! Patti will be at the Gallery on April 17, 24 and 26.

New Work From Our Artists

Here is a sampling of the new work by our artists. Click their link to see more of their work.

“Mourning” by Dawn Pritchett

“Tifted Titmouse on Cherry Blossoms” by Gloria Zamora

“Blue Plumage” by Patti Durbin

“Shifting Winds” by Patricia Giovannoni

“Bronco Fish” by Bob Friedenberg

“Summer Sheath” by Patti Durbin

“Letting Go” by Victoria Barnes

“Modern Turquoise Pearl Pendant” by Nancy Ennis

Accolades and Events

Victoria Barnes will be participating in the April show at the Van Landingham Gallery, Studio 311, within the Torpedo Factory Art Center. The show runs April 1-30

Nancy Ennis will be participating in the Arlington Festival of the Arts, April 25 & 26.

Bob Friedenberg will be showing at the URBN Markets, Fairfax, VA
April 11 - 12, 2026
and
Arlington Festival of the Arts, Clarendon, VA, April 25 & 26.

Discover the unique handcrafted jewelry of Susan Hillson, creator of Signature Designs, at the City of Falls Church Arts event on the grounds of the historic Cherry Hill Farmhouse. Date: April 18 Time: 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM Location: Cherry Hill Farmhouse, 316 Park Avenue, Falls Church, VA Booth: Space 41

Upcoming Classes & Events

Pat Blair will be teaching a watercolor class, White on White (painting white florals on a white background), April 23 and April 24, 11:30 - 1:30 via Zoom. Recordings available for 2 months.
patblaircalligraphy.com/book-online

Watercolor Classes
Every Tuesday from 10-noon at Greenspring Retirement Center in Springfield, VA, taught by Relene Shuster. For more information, please email Relene at relenes@aol.com

Art Empowerment Workshops

Taught by Patti Durbin. More information HERE

APRIL CALENDAR

Calendar subject to change depending on artist’s schedules