(Rockville, MD) – Artists & Makers Studios is thrilled to host Bridgette Guerzon Mills for the month of November. The exhibit will run from November 5th through November 25th, with a First Friday opening on November 7th from 5-8pm. Creating the work in “Touch the Earth” brought Bridgette a sense of grounding in these uncertain times. The idea of grounding is that when we physically touch the earth, skin to earth, there are benefits to our mental and physical health. Touching the earth brings one into the present moment. These pieces explore resilience, mindfulness and gratitude for the beauty and steadfastness of the often-overlooked details of the natural world. These works are about noticing the beauty and the profound in the mundane and fully embracing that mystery. If we allow the earth to hold us, we can reconnect to ourselves and can find stability in an unstable world. Enjoy a Pop-Up with Naan Pocen, the sculptural work of Francis Maduka Uduh in studio 11, along with nineteen Gallery 209 Member Artists exhibiting their latest work. Open Studios building-wide will welcome visitors to visit and learn. Shop and support local working artists, makers, and professionals. Light fare and beverages are generously sponsored by The Chesapeake Framing Company.
Bridgette Guerzon Mills “Touch the Earth”
The 19 Member Artists of Gallery 209
Pop-Up with Naan Pocen
The Sculptural Work of Francis Maduka Uduh
November First Friday Reception
5:00pm – 8:00pm, Friday, November 7th, 2025
Artists & Makers Studios
11810 Parklawn Drive, Suite 210
Rockville, MD 20852
Meet the Artist and an encaustic demo Saturday, November 22, 1-3pm
Artist Statement
I have always been drawn to the natural world, and my artwork is a personal dialogue with the cycles of life, memory and the passage of time. Often in my work there is a sense of longing and the desire and hopefulness to reconnect with the earth. Through both imagery and medium, I create organic pieces that speak to the interconnectedness of all living things.
My mixed media paintings incorporate moments captured by my photographs with the richness of paint. I lay down layers of paint and pieces of photo transfers, papers or fibers to create depth in both form and meaning. The canvas becomes a multilayered surface that speaks to both the visual and tactile senses. This integration of diverse layers creates an intimate connection that invites exploration. My artwork aims to reveal the beautiful melancholy and the fragile imperfection of the life around and within.
Bio
Bridgette Guerzon Mills is a multimedia artist whose work incorporates a variety of materials, including photography, paint, encaustic, textiles, as well as reclaimed materials. Her mixed media art often combines photography with encaustic to create a bridge between two worlds – the real and the reconstructed, while her landscapes are an attempt to capture a feeling of wonder, recognition and kinship with the land. Her outdoor installations, often created using foraged or salvaged materials, focus on environmental issues and seek to engage and educate the public about these concerns. She has been published in magazines and books and her work has been collected in the United States and internationally. She has lived in the east coast, midwest, and pacific northwest and currently resides in Towson, MD with her family.
Viewing hours are 10:00am – 4:00pm, Monday-Saturday, and Sundays by chance or appointment. Artists & Makers Studios on Parklawn Drive in Rockville, established in October of 2014 by artist and arts community builder Judith HeartSong, is a 13,000 sq. ft. facility is home to 87 artists, as well as student artists. Artists & Makers Studios – Oro Valley, AZ is a four-year-old jewel box location with talented Resident Artists, 3,575 sq. ft. of studios, galleries, and flex-classroom space. Newly constructed two-story 9,508 sq. ft. studio space in San Gabriel, CA for Artists & Makers Studios’ third location is touring now, with construction set to begin shortly for the three-story 13,902 sq. ft. location in North Hollywood, CA. A&M Studios is dedicated to providing a supportive and vibrant environment for artists to realize their creative goals – through studio practice, collaboration, education, opportunities, networking and connecting with the community beyond our doors.