Gaithersburg’s Arts on the Green presents the Mid-Atlantic Invitational Silverpoint Exhibition, featuring traditional and modern subject matter that highlights this Renaissance drawing technique. The exhibit is on display from December 1, 2017 through January 8, 2018, at the Arts Barn, 311 Kent Square Road.  Viewing hours are Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday, 1:30 to 5 p.m. The public is invited to meet the artists during a free Artists Reception on Sunday, December 10 from 4 to 6 p.m. Silverpoint artist Kandy Phillips presents a free educational introduction and hands-on demonstration from 2:30 to 3:30 p.m., prior to the reception.

Featured artists include Craig Brodfuehrer, Robyn Ellenbogen, Amy Gray, Barbara Henning-Loomis, Eileen Kennedy, Norine Kevolic, Nina Liberace, Roy Liberace, Susan O’Neill, Kandy Phillips, Patricia Rice, Ed Stolar, and Elizabeth Whiteley. The artists hail from the Eastern Shore, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC. Artists-in-residence Jaree and Jack Donnelly will also exhibit Renaissance-inspired silver jewelry made especially for this show.

Silverpoint was one of the first mediums used for fine drawing during Medieval and Renaissance times, predating the discovery of graphite that is now the first drawing choice for many artists. Also called metalpoint, silverpoint uses a fine silver and sometimes lead, copper or gold point, which is placed in a stylus for use to draw on a grounded paper. Calcified bones and animal glue were first used to prepare the paper, but today gesso and gouache are often used as the ground. The medium lends itself to very detailed, representational drawing. As the silver is first applied to the paper it looks rather light, but over time the metal tarnishes to give a mature look to the drawings. Artists Albrecht Durer, Leonardo Da Vinci and Rembrandt used this lovely drawing technique. It fell out of favor in the late sixteenth century due to the discovery of graphite, but has had a revival in the 20^th Century.