Photo courtesy of Sanctuary Studios

The Femme Project to Show at Sanctuary Studios

Heather M of the The Femme Project will exhibit some of her recent and past work at Sanctuary Studios as part of their fundraiser exhibition, “ANYTHING GOES,” beginning on April 5, 2025. Included in the show are photographs from her "3AM Series", "The Garden of Eve," and "La Luna," a selection of prints from the Thigh High Thursday Challenge project.

“ANYTHING GOES,” a fundraiser exhibition at Sanctuary Studios, hosted by artists Penny Knobel-Besa and Hilmar Gottesthal. Exhibited work includes over 30 pieces from local and regional artists such as paintings, jewelry, fabric art, sculptures, pottery, photography, and drawings. A Portion of all artwork sales will be donated to VINE Animal Sanctuary, an LGBTQ-led farmed animal refuge that works for social and environmental justice as well as animal liberation.

An Opening Reception will be held on Saturday, April 5, 2025 from 3:00-5:00 PM. Exhibiting artists will be on hand to share about their work and writers and poets are invited to read literary works during the "Animal Tales" segment of the evening.

About Sanctuary Studios

Sanctuary Studios is the shared gallery and studio space of international sculptor and painter Hilmar Gottesthal and his wife, award winning photographer Penny Knobel-Besa. The charming, woodland workspace, located in Flintstone, Maryland, is conveniently located off of I-68 West in the scenic mountains of Western Maryland. Visitors find themselves treated not only to the couple’s outstanding art but also to their engaging stories and infectious enthusiasm.

Gottesthal, a celebrated artist whose work spans continents and decades, brings to his work a profound exploration of the human experience through his mastery of watercolor, oil painting, and sculpture. Gottesthal’s approach to art is deeply rooted in the belief that artists serve as chroniclers of culture, documenting the essence of humanity and the natural world. His art is a response to the events and ideas of both past and present, seeking to illuminate and uplift through a blend of historical knowledge and contemporary thought. He paints in watercolor, oils, and sometimes draws with squid ink, and creates sculptures in marble, wood, and stained-glass.

Knobel-Besa is a fine arts photographer, playwright, and director. She’s received awards regional and national including once named Maryland Photographer of the Year. She’s published in literary journals and had several covers of the Maryland Writers Association, “Pen In Hand. She’s exhibited from Maine to New Orleans, at the Saville Gallery and the Gilchrist Museum. She enjoys teaching private sessions in the Art of Photography at her studio.