Q&A: Local Gallery Features Entire 'Winter in Washington' Collection

The Art Gallery of Potomac is featuring artist Carol Dyer’s entire “Winter in Washington” series through Nov. 6, along with the work of another local artist, Richard Binder, in a show called “Steel and Canvas.”

The , where event-goers will be given the opportunity to meet and speak with the artists, and to see Dyer at work on a painting.

As the Art Gallery of Potomac preps for tomorrow’s reception, Patch checked in with commissioner of the “Winter in Washington” series, Kyle Miller, to ask what is so important about this show.

Patch: What about this exhibit and artists' work will interest gallery-goers?

Kyle Miller: Carol Dyer, one of the most famous folk-artists in the country, has been painting beautiful scenes celebrating the history of Washington, Alexandria, Annapolis and Baltimore for decades. On an even more local level she has been commissioned to paint many of our local elementary, middle, high schools and country clubs.

For the first time ever, her entire “Winter in Washington” series will be on display.

Carol Dyer’s collection is a celebration of the Washington, D.C.-area. We have scenes of the White House, the Capitol, The Supreme Court, Mount Vernon, Georgetown, the Potomac River, the Smithsonian, all the monuments, Old Town Alexandria and more.

We have never done a show of this magnitude before and this is likely the last time the entire collection will be in the same place at the same time for all to enjoy and purchase.

Also on display will be sculptures from Bethesda-based Dr. Richard Binder, who has undergone a metamorphosis from caring for patients to creating sculpture.

Patch: You mentioned this is one of Dyer's largest exhibits and may be the last one of its kind. Can you elaborate on that?

Miller: It’s actually very unique that you have an artist as well-known and accomplished as Carol who hasn’t put her work on display before in this manner.

She has had a few pieces at a time up in various galleries in Annapolis and New England but this is an entire collection, three decades worth of work, with the city we live in (the nation’s capitol) as the focal point. These paintings will go on display this month and many will be sold, so this will more than likely be the last time you can see the entire collection in one place at the same time.   

Patch: How do you think Dyer has become so successful in what she does? What sort of character or feeling is displayed through her work?

Miller: Living here in the nation’s capitol, I think we can take for granted the history and beauty that surrounds us all on a daily basis. We may visit the local museums and monuments when we have relatives in town or we have an event to attend, but by and large, I think many of us take our surroundings for granted.  

Carol’s paintings allow us to slow down for a minute to celebrate the history of our city, the founding of our country and take a look back at early American traditions. Meticulous attention to detail and authenticity are trademarks of her paintings. Each scene has been carefully researched for historical accuracy before we move forward and put paint to canvas.

Patch: What excites you most about this exhibit?

Miller: What has me the most excited is the fact that these paintings are finally going on display. Over the past two decades I would venture to say that the entire collection has been seen by three people at the most.  

It’s really a very exciting event; to think that this number of unique works of art have been hidden away for this long and are now going to be put out there for public consumption. I can’t wait to hear/see the reaction of people over the course of the show and at the reception on [Oct.] 15th.

I have been asked on numerous occasions by people who have seen our holiday cards, “are any of the original paintings for sale?” The answer until now has always been no.  I think the response is going to be huge and it will help bring more attention to the local art scene and the Art Gallery of Potomac.  

Patch: Is the reception open to the public? What are some of activities surrounding this exhibit?

Miller: Carol will be working on a painting at the reception, which will provide visitors a rare treat, the ability to watch an artist of her caliber work her magic. Richard will be on hand to discuss how his pieces were constructed as well as the meaning and origin behind each sculpture. We will have food, drink, music, all right here in the heart of Potomac Village. The event is open to the public and we encourage everyone in the area to stop by and enjoy.