LEON BERKOWITZ and WAYSON JONES at HEMPHILL -

The halcyon years of the Washington Color School, over half a century ago, still represent the deepest fine arts footprint ever made by our (then) regional artists, elevating most of them to (now) a global presence.

There’s currently a terrific show at Hemphill showcasing the works of two immensely talented artists: Leon Berkowitz and Wayson Jones.

Jones’ work first came to my attention via my good friend Lou Stovall, when Stovall selected Jones in 2010 for the October Members Show in Hillyer Art Space.

I’ve been following Jones’ work for many years, and in 2018 I wrote about his participation in that year’s Superfine Art Fair and highlighted the “refined works of Wayson R. Jones, whose technique and presentation just keeps getting better and sharper! This is a key DMV artist deserving of more attention by the curatorial cabal of our area.” And two years ago I was in the audience when Jones, who in 2022 was Montgomery College’s Visual and Performing Arts Department’s Artist in Residence, presented a really good Artist Talk one September day.

It has been said that “Leon was a character, a character that stood alone…”

In “An Interview with Gene Davis” by Walter Hopps, we learn that the The Washington Color School “members” did not feel much camaraderie, with each other, and perhaps even a sense of jealousy? George Hemphill notes that:

There are stories of Davis’ extreme annoyance at the Corcoran students gathering in groups and sitting before Berkowitz’s paintings while leaving his work absent of attention. Berkowitz’s paintings sold as well, possibly better than others. His peers’ work may garner greater investment returns today, but none have as much universal and growing appeal.

Leon Berkowitz (Photo by Paul Feinberg – Courtesy of Hemphill)

This is an important show which deserves attention not only because of the historical importance of Berkowitz, but also and equally important, a new and important footprint by a superbly talented contemporary artist who possibly represents a 21st century extension of those halcyon days.