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BUP Hopes Art Studios Bring Vitality To Bethesda Arts Scene

By WTOP Staff

Bethesda's Judy Gilbert Levey works Friday in the new Studio B artists studio below Wisconsin Avenue Studio B Work of one of Studio B's resident artists One of the three studio spaces in Studio B Work of Studio B artists hangs in the main hallway Studio B, at the Bethesda Crescent building The nearby Arts Under the Avenue display in the Bethesda Metro tunnel

Judy Gilbert Levey has always done her painting from home. Now the Bethesda resident has a studio space whenever she wants just six blocks from it.

Levey is one of the three locals part of the inaugural group of artists in Bethesda Urban Partnership’s Studio B, a 1,200-square foot space in the basement of the Bethesda Crescent building near the Bethesda Metro.

In exchange for renovating its lobby and losing three pieces of commissioned art, building owner Brookfield Properties built the space to BUP’s specifications, donated it to the BUP-managed Arts & Entertainment District and provided $23,000 as reimbursement for lighting upgrades in the nearby Bethesda Metro tunnel that houses BUP’s “Art Under the Avenue” exhibit.

BUP rents out the three studio spaces — one of which is shared by Levey and Chevy Chase artist Linda Bartley Button — for lower than market rate to fund operating costs such as utilities and security.

“We have theaters here. We have art galleries here. There are dance studios. So there’s a lot of places for artists, visual and performing, here,” BUP Director of Marketing Stephanie Coppula said. “The one thing we haven’t had is actual workspace for artists, so it’s great to add that layer.”

Studio B opened Wednesday. It’s located at 7475 Wisconsin Ave. and is in the Bethesda Crescent space closest to the Bethesda Metro pedestrian tunnel.

Levey is primarily an “en plain air” oil painter who does outdoor scenes, landscapes and some still lifes. She’s also the newly elected president of the Edgemoor Citizens Association.

“In terms of the ability to dedicate creative time, this is a new thing for me,” Levey said. “It’s also been really nice that we’ve been open two days and we’ve had people who walk through the tunnel stopping by. They’re curious about the space and they’re curious about the art.”

The studio is accessible for the artists at any time. It’s open to the public from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. Wednesday-Friday and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Saturdays. There is one vacant studio still available for lease.

Cabin John’s Steve Hay focuses on detailed paintings of urban landscapes, though he’s done a ton of work based on scenes at Glen Echo Park.

“There’s vitality that comes from painting and art,” Hay said. “It connects people.”

Levey said it’s too soon to know how Studio B will add to Bethesda’s art scene. She’s looking forward to a day when Bethesda is thought of in the same breath as Alexandria, where the Torpedo Factory Art Center and others have made the Northern Virginia city an important place for local art fans.

“I wish I knew. We haven’t got that yet in Bethesda,” Levey said. “I hope it’s going to make it a place where people are used to visiting studios and galleries.”

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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