Kentlands Mansion to host December Photography Exhibit

The City of Gaithersburg presents an exhibit featuring photographic works by Robert Ausura, Mary Kay Kinnish, Jacqueline LaRocca, and Jean Phillips at Kentlands Mansion from December 13, 2013 through January 31, 2014. The public is invited to a free Artists’ Reception on Tuesday, December 17 from 7 to 8:30 p.m.

Robert Ausura learned the basics of photography from his parents, both well-known magazine and portrait photographers in the 1940s and 1950s. After decades of treating photography as a hobby, Ausura began photographing professionally in the late 1980s for clients in the power and transportation industries. His art photography grew from his love of travel and the outdoors. Ausura has photographed all over the United States and in Honduras as a volunteer member of a medical mission in 2010. To view more of his work, please visit www.ausuraphotography.com.

Mary Kay Kinnish is an attentive observer of her surroundings wherever she may be. Kinnish attempts to portray in her photographs that which is extraordinary in the ordinary and uncommon in the commonplace. A writer and editor for many years, she finds it most rewarding to tell stories through images, using no words at all. Kinnish was introduced to the fundamentals of photography in college and long enjoyed taking photos as a hobby. In recent years, her interest has intensified and she has worked to expand her knowledge, skill and creativity, especially as she made the transition from film to digital imaging. Since 2005, Kinnish’s photographs have been included in juried fine art exhibitions throughout the metropolitan area. Her work can be viewed at www.marykaykinnish.com.

Jacqueline Quinn LaRocca is a freelance, international photographer who resides in Ellicott City, Maryland. She specializes in black and white and infrared photography. Her work represents her passion for creating fine art photographs of spiritual and historical places and spaces around the globe. LaRocca states that she strives to visually communicate the feelings she has experienced at these ethereal places so others may share in her experience. She has produced portfolios from her travels to Cambodia, Thailand, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and throughout the United States. LaRocca’s photographs have been published in newspapers, travel guides, websites, and articles. She graduated from the professional photography program at the Washington School of Photography. To view more of LaRocca’s work, please visit www.JacquelineLaRocca.com and www.laroccablog.com.

Jean Phillips is a life-long resident of Maryland who grew up on Schaeffer Road in Germantown. She is now enjoying her fourth career. After graduating from the University of Maryland with a degree in science education, she taught for a year in Montgomery County. She then became an immunologist at the National Institutes of Health, leaving after ten years to take over her father’s dairy farm and raise her two sons. Over the years, she transformed her farm operations from dairy to grain production, followed by hay and straw, vegetables, and finally entertainment farming. Now that she is retired, she has revived her interest in photography, which began with a single-lens reflex camera received as a college graduation gift. Recently, she has been devoting her energy to capturing in photographs the natural scenes she enjoyed as a farm child and later a farmer. Photography gives her a good excuse to be outside and a way to share with others the natural beauty she loves. More of Phillips work may be found at www.phillipsfarmphotography.com.

Located at 320 Kent Square Road, the Mansion Gallery strives to foster a dialogue between the arts and the community. Viewing is by appointment only. Please call the Mansion at 301-258-6425 to schedule a visit.

Please note that most artwork is for sale and all images are copyrighted by the artist. For more information, please contact Andi Rosati at 301-258-6350, e-mail arosati@gaithersburgmd.gov or visit Kentlands Mansion atwww.gaithersburgmd.gov/kentlandsmansion.

Chrysanthemum, Brookside Gardens IMG_1801

Photograph by Roy Kelley

Roy and Dolores Kelley Photographs