

I grew up in New York at the intersection of the Croton and Hudson rivers where I fell in love with the history and the stories told by the ancient mountains, the sunsets, fog horns, waves, sail boats, and whistles of the trains running north to Albany and south to NYC.
I earned degrees in English and art history from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Through my career in advertising, I worked with organizations like Verizon, universities like Harvard, and people as diverse as the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard and Martha Stewart. For all, my work mission was the same: to craft the story each wanted to tell — the one story no other organization or person could tell. I’ve authored several books, including two on brand development.
For seven years, I have been president of the Rossmoor Art Guild at Leisure World, building the program to almost 300 students who benefit from the expertise of noted local teaching artists, including Gaithersburg’s Bill Mapes. The Guild offers weekly classes, workshops, exhibits, and special events running throughout the year. I frequently contribute to the program by leading workshops and art history presentations. It was through Rossmoor Art Guild classes that I learned to paint. Today, I work in acrylics on paper and canvas.
Meeting Thursday, September 10, 2026
in the art room across the hall from the Hefner Auditorium at Asbury Methodist Village, 201 Russell Ave, Gaithersburg, MD 20877. The meeting will open at 6:30 pm and program will begin at 7 pm. There will be no Zoom meeting! Please come in person.
THE GAITHERSBURG FINE ARTS ASSOCIATION was founded in 1976 as a small group of artists residing in Gaithersburg and has grown over the years to include members throughout Montgomery County. GFAA provides educational programs, promotional opportunities, multiple exhibits during the year, and outreach to local audiences.
We need YOU to join the GFAA board!
Help us keep GFAA going and explore brave new activities you haven’t done before! No training necessary but any specialized experience is welcome. We all help each other when it’s needed. Ask about our “apprenticeship” program to learn the role along with the current board member. Contact any board member for information on his or her position.
--President: Bill Mapes williammapes@comcast.net
--Shows: Bob Maarsen RMaarsen@verizon.net
--Treasurer: Ursula Dehejia ursamak@aol.com Membership
--Sandy Fritter skfritter@comcast.net
--Newsletter: Darla Tagrin DarlaT@aol.com Programs
--Grace Newcomer newcmom@yahoo.com
--Secretary: Gail Kaplan-Wassell gail.kaplanwassell@gmail.com
--Webmaster: Gillian Collins gdcpaint@gmail.com

Art Supply Sale
Bring your unused art supplies to the meeting and pay what you wish for the ones you want to take! Proceeds go to GFAA treasury.
