
The Arts
Artistry Comes to Life at the Pozez JCC
Through the decades, the J’s Bodzin Art Gallery exhibitions have attracted talented artists working in a wide variety of media including painting, photography, jewelry, ceramics, glass, fiber, crafts, and mixed media. The gallery supports and encourages the development of local Jewish artists, artists with disabilities, artists working in themes reflecting Jewish values, and Israeli art. The Bodzin Art Gallery presents 7-10 annual exhibitions. The J’s dedication to exhibiting fine art for almost 30 years has garnered a reputation that is well-respected amongst artists, art enthusiasts, buyers, and sellers.

Explore the Arts
The J’s cultural programs demonstrate, illuminate, and celebrate the breadth and depth of Judaism's culture, identity, creativity, diversity, and resiliency through the arts. The J is home to the Bodzin Art Gallery, exhibiting group and solo exhibitions. The J also powers the ReelAbilities Film Festival: Northern Virginia, screened in venues throughout the region. Other programming includes theater, music, and literary arts, showcasing renowned local, regional, and national artists.

In the Bodzin Art Gallery
Joyful Color by Sophia Pineda
January 21 - March 10, 2025
Sophia Pineda paints in the Chinese brush stroke watercolor style. Her work often focuses on the natural world – especially flowers and birds – and features vibrant color and bold lines. Sophia, who has been painting in this style for about eight years, is a young woman with Down syndrome.
Sophia has studied ballet for more than 15 years, dancing in many local productions. She also has grown to become a self-advocate, involved and engaged in the community. In 2013, she was selected to walk the runway as a model for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s Gala in Washington, DC and, in 2016, the National Down Syndrome Society chose her picture as one of many people with Down syndrome to appear in its video to kick off the national Buddy Walk in New York City.
Sophia Pineda paints in the Chinese brush stroke watercolor style. Her work often focuses on the natural world – especially flowers and birds – and features vibrant color and bold lines. Sophia, who has been painting in this style for about eight years, is a young woman with Down syndrome.
Sophia has studied ballet for more than 15 years, dancing in many local productions. She also has grown to become a self-advocate, involved and engaged in the community. In 2013, she was selected to walk the runway as a model for the Global Down Syndrome Foundation’s Gala in Washington, DC and, in 2016, the National Down Syndrome Society chose her picture as one of many people with Down syndrome to appear in its video to kick off the national Buddy Walk in New York City.

In the Bodzin Art Gallery
Joyful Color by Sophia Pineda
But it is art that truly captures Sophia's imagination and has become her heart-felt way to express herself. Through camps and classes at Libertytown Arts Workshop, she is exploring other art forms, such as oil painting and hand-building pottery. She brings an infectious sense of joy, humor and exuberance to her art and to her life.
This exhibition continues a tradition of showcasing artists with disabilities during ReelAbilities Film Festival of Greater Washington January 30 – March 6, 2025 theJ.org/ReelAbilities
This exhibition continues a tradition of showcasing artists with disabilities during ReelAbilities Film Festival of Greater Washington January 30 – March 6, 2025 theJ.org/ReelAbilities

Coming soon to the Bodzin Art Gallery
Collective Reason by Bill Firestone
March 11 - May 12, 2025
Bill Firestone's interests start in nature and move to busy street scenes and a few abstracts. A combination of color, form and accidental brush strokes make up this group of paintings. The work in this exhibition is the culmination of the last two years of painting.
Bill has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. For 25 years he worked as a freelance illustrator for magazines and corporate clients before becoming a full-time painter. Bill is influenced by the "push pull" philosophy of Hans Hofmann, having been taught by two of his pupils. Bill's paintings have been described as vibrant, elastic and energetic. His painterly style lends itself to his fondness for rural scenes but also to the beautiful rainy day street scenes of the big city bustle. A recent trend using image transfer and collage adds to the deep compositional quality of his work. A loose, free quality utilizing good drawing skills, also emphasis on composition and color contrast characterize this work.
Bill Firestone's interests start in nature and move to busy street scenes and a few abstracts. A combination of color, form and accidental brush strokes make up this group of paintings. The work in this exhibition is the culmination of the last two years of painting.
Bill has a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from Virginia Commonwealth University. For 25 years he worked as a freelance illustrator for magazines and corporate clients before becoming a full-time painter. Bill is influenced by the "push pull" philosophy of Hans Hofmann, having been taught by two of his pupils. Bill's paintings have been described as vibrant, elastic and energetic. His painterly style lends itself to his fondness for rural scenes but also to the beautiful rainy day street scenes of the big city bustle. A recent trend using image transfer and collage adds to the deep compositional quality of his work. A loose, free quality utilizing good drawing skills, also emphasis on composition and color contrast characterize this work.
Bodzin Art Gallery Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia 8900 Little River Turnpike Fairfax, VA 22031 |
Hours: Monday-Thursday, 6:30am-9:30pm Friday, 6:30am-6pm Saturday, 8am-6pm Sunday, 8am-9:30pm |
All visitors to the J must present a membership badge or photo ID to enter the building.

MEMOIR WRITING GROUP
Writing is Good for the Soul
Creativity is encouraged and fostered at the J. The Memoir Writing Group meets monthly to draft and share their stories. For those who want to share with the community, the writings are posted here.
Stories and opinions of individuals are not necessarily shared by the Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia.
For more information, contact Shari.Berman@theJ.org.
Stories and opinions of individuals are not necessarily shared by the Pozez Jewish Community Center of Northern Virginia.
For more information, contact Shari.Berman@theJ.org.