Silver Spring Town Center, Inc. will hold the 10th Annual Harvest Moon Festival at Veterans Plaza in downtown Silver Spring on Sunday afternoon.
Arts, entertainment, and exhibitors will be featured at the eclectic, multicultural event, which begins at 1 p.m. on Sunday, along with drawing and painting demonstrations by local artists:
José Piedra was born in Casma – Peru, a town north Lima, the capital city. This is the same site where the Caral Civilization was discovered. Developed around 2600 B.C., the Caral are one of the oldest civilizations of the American Continent. Archeological evidence shows that they knew no weapons, but they did know art.
A 1987 graduate from the National Fine Arts School in Peru, Jose is a professional artist painting with surrealistic style and Andean symbolism, using oils, acrylics and mixed media techniques.
Jose Piedra first became known in Peru as a musician, once he started playing drums with Tierra Sur, a pioneer Reggae band. Since then, he has been playing percussion with several groups, including one of the most popular traditional bands in Peru, Yawar. After moving to Washington DC in 1998, he founded the RAYMI Band (fusion of Latin-folk rhythms with Rock and Reggae). In 2015, he founded “The Collective Roots” – a new band of fusion music (African and Latino roots) in Hyattsville, MD.
As a teacher of painting and art, Jose started Summer Camps in Trujillo (North Peruvian Coast), then he moved to Lima (the Capital) where he continued teaching as well. In 1998, he moved to the US to teach art with WVSA to kids with special needs. In 2001, he began teaching at Barbara Chambers Children Center. Between 2003-2010, he taught art at Henson Valley Montessori School in Upper Marlboro, Maryland. He also worked at “Sun Rise Academy” in Washington DC, (2008 – 2010) painting murals inside the building, warming the environment for the students. He currently works and teaches art in his PIEDR@NGULAR Studio School in Hyattsville, MD (Renaissance Square Building). Since 2010, he has been teaching art at CREATE Arts Center in Silver Spring, MD.
Jose Piedra has been doing murals and exhibitions, as well as teaching, throughout the D.C. area since 2000 at the present. He is also a Member Associate of the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Alexandria, VA. His work is currently on exhibit at the Renaissance Gallery in Hyattsville, MD.
Marcie Wolf-Hubbard received her B.A. from the University of Maryland in Studio Art and studied Fine Art and Illustration at the Maryland Institute, College of Art. Her paintings have been exhibited widely on the East Coast. She has illustrated for magazines and books and worked as a courtroom artist.
Marcie is an instructor at Glen Echo Park, Yellow Barn Studios, The Smithsonian, and has transitioned to teaching virtually from her studio.
“Students come together to focus on art in what feels like an art community— bringing people out of isolation and getting together to make art. Working with my students has also fueled me in this time of sadness and uncertainty. The attention to art has lifted anxiety and inspired us all to continue creating.”
Painting and drawing activities are open to all abilities, ages 6 and up. Those who wish to participate are asked to RSVP to [email protected] with “Painting with Pepe” or “Drawing with Marcie” in the subject line, as well as number of attendees (and ages of any children registering).
Additionally, the festival will feature performances by the Mark H Taiko Connection, DJ Bachata Larry & Instructor Leroi, and the Maryland Youth Pipe Band, as well as a Bollywood Wedding Dance Party with SAPAN — the South Asian Performing Arts Network & Institute.
More information can be found at the festival’s event listing on Facebook.
Graphic Courtesy of Silver Spring Town Center, Inc.