Artists & Makers Studios Presents
Thalia Doukas and Laurel B. Jensen
and their Exhibit “Impossible Dream House”
curated by Carol Rhodes Dyson for the Month of July
(Rockville, MD) – Artists & Makers Studios is thrilled to host Thalia Doukas and Laurel B. Jensen in the Invited Artist Gallery for the month of July. Their exhibit curated by Carol Rhodes Dyson runs from July 2nd through July 23rd, with an opening reception on July 11th from 5-8pm. Thalia’s Impossible Dream House collages transport the viewer to an alternative reality. Seemingly simple compositions become deeply personal commentaries, connecting memory superimposed with current events. The collaged images span decades, some taken from sources such as “Architectural Digest,” “Bon Appetit” and “Dick and Jane Reader” publications, that document an idyllic path toward the “American Dream” and transcend race and cultural assumptions. For many years, Thalia Doukas has created installations that feature mixed-media pieces in two and three dimensions. She is known for combining found and recycled materials in her installations and workshops. Her artistic intentions are to repurpose, rethink and reveal inner truths that help transform one’s consciousness.
Meanwhile, Laurel Jensen has been photographing and writing about DC protesters and the eloquent messages on their handheld signs. These images are taken from photographs of one protest on the National Mall, Washington, DC on March 14, 2025 when hundreds of veterans, active-duty service members and civil servants gathered to exercise freedom of speech, the right to peaceably assemble and to petition the government for a redress of grievances as codified in the US Constitution, First Amendment. Thalia and Laurel are partners who see their projects as two sides of the same aspirational coin, documenting the world here and now versus imagined alternatives. Enjoy additional exhibits with Resident Artists in the Gallery Hall, a mini-solo with Melinda Lowy in the Lounge Gallery, a Pop-Up with Naan Pocen, violin music, 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 drinks are sponsored monthly by The Chesapeake Framing Company.
Thalia Doukas and Laurel B. Jensen “Impossible Dream House” Curated by Carol Rhodes Dyson
Resident Artists in the Gallery Hall
Mini-Solo with Melinda Lowy
The Sculptural Work of Francis Maduka Uduh
The 19 Member Artists of Gallery 209
Pop-Up with Naan Pocen
& Violin Music
Opening Reception
5:00pm – 8:00pm, Friday, July 11th, 2025
Artists & Makers Studios
11810 Parklawn Drive, Suite 210
Rockville, MD 20852
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.