Artists & Makers Studios Welcomes
John Thomas Paradiso
“Sexual Tensions: Nightmares and Daydreams”
Mini-Solo for Inge Burman

(Rockville, MD) – Artists & Makers Studios is pleased to host John Thomas Paradiso for the month of June. The exhibit will run from June 5th through June 24th, with a First Friday opening on June 5th from 5-8pm. John Paradiso’s work is an ongoing exploration of identity. It is influenced by the impact of the AIDS epidemic, internal and external homophobia, sexual desire, romantic love, and growing old. At times, the work is a statement about his experiences navigating a sex–positive lifestyle among a prevalence of sex-negative messages. At other times, the work is his way to honor my feminine side while striving to be more masculine. In this Exhibition, “Sexual Tensions: Nightmares and Daydreams, Paradiso is showing works made over several decades. He wants to share his earlier works with his peers, as this work is foundational to his development as an artist. The early work focuses on his relationship to HIV and AIDS, his love relationships, and his work with People Living with AIDS and HIV. His later works are a more general exploration of gay male sexual Identity. Inge Berman shares a mini-solo exhibit in the Lounge Gallery and Resident Artists exhibit in the Gallery Hall. Enjoy the sculptural work of Francis Maduka Uduh in studio 11, along with nineteen Gallery 209 Member Artists exhibiting their latest work. Pick up a handmade piece of art and support local working artists, makers, and professionals. Light fare generously sponsored each month by The Chesapeake Framing Company.

John Thomas Paradiso “Sexual Tensions: Nightmares and Daydreams”
Mini-Solo for Inge Burman
Resident Artist Exhibit
The 19 Member Artists of Gallery 209
The Sculptural Work of Francis Maduka Uduh

June Reception

5:00pm – 8:00pm, Friday, June 5th, 2026

Artists & Makers Studios

11810 Parklawn Drive, Suite 210

Rockville, MD 20852

Meet the Artist June 20th, 1:00pm-3:00pm

Viewing hours are 10:00am – 4:00pm, Monday-Friday, Saturday 11:00am – 3:00pm, 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, fiber artists, and students. Artists & Makers Studios – Oro Valley, AZ is a five-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 three-quarters full now, with construction underway for the three-story 13,902 sq. ft. location in North Hollywood, CA projected to open in the third quarter of 2027. 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.