The sculpture is made of chain-link fencing that has been customized: Its diamond pattern is smaller than usual, and its vinyl coating an intense spring green. “Venice Gourd will act as a monitor to the site,” says Ruppert, noting how the piece initially will blend into the landscape. Later, when summer turns to fall and nature’s vivid colors fade, its brilliant hue will become dominant.

Over a 40-plus-year career, Ruppert has mastered the art of working with different materials, primarily metals. Inside his vast studio—an 1895 brick building that once housed part of Baltimore’s trolley-car system—massive and smaller works reside. Nestled under a soaring roof, the main gallery presents a spectrum of completed sculptures along with photographs representing different periods of his work. Elegant, iconic metal sculptures and rock formations—elemental and mysterious—all derive from nature. Despite the urban setting, a feeling of calm prevails.

Among the assembled sculptures, four slender pieces reach skyward. Reproducing the rugged vestiges of trees struck by lightning, the works are cast in iron, aluminum and stainless steel. Original wood models for these “strikes,” as the sculptor calls them, are lined up nearby, extending 35 feet high. “These shards contain the energy of how the trees were blown apart,” says Ruppert. “They bring attention to extreme storms that have become more violent, and our relationship to the solar system and how fragile our earth is.”

The sculptor recalls the locations where each fragment fell. In fact, their GPS coordinates are memorialized in subtitles of completed pieces. One describes a work-in-progress hanging from a mammoth gantry—twin strikes cast from the same shard in stainless steel. Having pulled from different places to orient the nearly 12-foot-tall diptych, Ruppert refers to the setup as “this crazy network of ropes, like a marionette. I’ve worked them into the position I want. Now I’m trying to figure out how to pin them down.” Asked if he ever seeks engineering help, the sculptor laughs heartily. “My dad was a mechanical engineer. Maybe it’s in my genes,” adding, “I just figure it out. I kind of overbuild it.”

The gantry system used for his strikes also lifts heavy sand molds that are cast in the studio. Molds form a precise negative of any object. When metals are heated in a furnace off-site, the molten material is poured into a mold that has been buried in a sand-filled trough. Once the metal solidifies, its piece mold is removed. Ruppert may highlight seams by polishing edges where the mold came apart—“a vein of energy,” he says, “expressing the hand of the artist, and a metaphor for rivers and waterfalls that accent the landscape.” Pouring molten metal may happen at University of Maryland, where the sculptor established a foundry and served as art-department chair for 13 years.

Ruppert displays his rock sculptures in pairs—an actual rock facing its copy. That relationship raises an existential question: Which one is real? Underscoring the confusion, he approaches two oversized rocks, one an iron casting. “You can see that this is real,” he begins, indicating the real rock. “But when it’s next to the manufactured one, you think, ‘Well, this one has more presence. Maybe it’s real?’”

A similar puzzle arises from his latest work—small, 3D-printed “rocks” of resin. After a rock is scanned, the file is reversed; its printout becomes a mirror reflection of the original. Unlike his cast-rock arrangements, the rock sits atop its resin counterpart, “like a rock sitting in water and its reflection,” the artist explains.

Throughout his work, Ruppert considers the effects of light—“how it shapes materials, or how materials shape light.” Like Venice Gourd, his sculptures respond to changing light throughout the day and seasons. Since 1992, when the sculptor found a roll of chain link left at his studio, his galvanized-steel sculptures alone have been exhibited from Ladew Topiary Gardens in Maryland to venues in Memphis and Shanghai.

“Chain link is perceived as this really tough material,” the sculptor says. “The way I work with it, it’s very malleable and actually fragile.” Pausing to consider this contradiction and viewers’ perspectives as they confront these sublimely simple, perplexing forms from near and far, he observes, “That’s one of the things I’m interested in: how the sculpture works back and forth with your perception.”

Contemplating the enigmas of nature and his art, Ruppert encourages “slowing down and looking closer at details and subtleties.”

John Ruppert’s art is represented by C. Grimaldis Gallery. cgrimaldisgallery.com; johnruppert.com

ADVENTURE MODE Samsung has introduced Odyssey Ark, the world’s first 55-inch, 1000R curved gaming screen, designed to deliver cinematic picture quality, immersive surround sound and a flexible interface to avid gamers. The Ark Dial, an exclusive controller, lets users quickly manipulate a variety of settings while four speakers and two central woofers produce rich, realistic sound. From $1,799; samsung.com

MOLTEN SOUND With a simple, organic form inspired by lava rock, Pantheone Audio’s Obsidian speaker combines high-end design and acoustic performance. The Alexa-ready device, handcrafted of resin, streams high-resolution audio thanks to its powerful internal woofer and two silk dome tweeters. Available in black and white. $1,399. pantheoneaudio.com

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ASIAN ART
Do Ho Suh: Public Figures
April 27 to April 29, 2029
To commemorate its 100th anniversary, the museum commissioned a sculpture by contemporary Korean artist Do Ho Suh that upends the conventional notion of a monument and its focus on heroic individualism. Installed on the Freer Plaza facing the National Mall, Suh’s piece consists of a massive plinth that, instead of supporting a vaunted subject, is held aloft from below by a multitude of individual figures. asia.si.edu

HILLWOOD ESTATE, MUSEUM & GARDENS
Fragile Beauty: Art of the Ocean
June 8 to January 5, 2025
Hillwood celebrates the sea in an exhibit displaying works in its permanent collection, from seascapes to pieces hewn from marine materials. Accompanying artworks by contemporary creators raise awareness about the dire state of the earth’s waters. hillwoodmuseum.org

THE PHILLIPS COLLECTION
Up Close with Paul Cézanne
April 18 to July 14
A special installation unveils a restored landscape and self-portrait by renowned post-Impressionist Paul Cézanne, along with five other works by the artist. Patrons will glimpse details that had been obscured over time and learn about the painter’s process. phillipscollection.org

NATIONAL BUILDING MUSEUM
Frank Lloyd Wright’s Southwestern Pennsylvania
Through March 1, 2025
This immersive exhibition aims to articulate Frank Lloyd Wright’s creative vision by presenting realized and unrealized residential, commercial and civic projects the architect designed for sites in Pennsylvania between the 1930s and the ’50s. A meticulously researched animated film takes visitors on a virtual tour of five unbuilt structures; models are also on display. nbm.org

SMITHSONIAN AMERICAN ART MUSEUM
Pattern and Paradox: The Quilts of Amish Women
Through September 2
The bold, graphic aesthetic of Amish quilts captured the eye of the 20th-century art world. Highlighting a number of these iconic textiles created between 1880 and 1950, this show explores how the women makers and their traditional communities reacted to such “worldly” attention. americanart.si.edu

Subversive, Skilled, Sublime: Fiber Art by Women
May 31 to January 5, 2025
Works from the SAAM’s permanent collection demonstrate how fiber art, an often-dismissed art form, can be as powerful, meaningful—and subversive—as other media. Thirty-four pieces on view at the museum’s Renwick Gallery range from quilts, tapestries and rugs to twisted and bound sculptures. americanart.si.edu

RESTON TOWN CENTER
Tephra ICA Arts Festival
May 18 to 19
The streets of Reston Town Center brim with handmade art and craft at this annual event, now in its 33rd year. More than 200 artists from 25 states will exhibit at the show, which also features food trucks and a concert. tephraica.org/festival

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF ASIAN ART
Striking Objects: Contemporary Japanese Metalwork
Through early 2026
In Japan, modern metalwork pays homage to age-old practices while forging innovations in materials and techniques. More than a dozen vases, vessels and sculptures in an array of metals illustrate this convergence of new and old. asia.si.edu

THE KREEGER MUSEUM
Here, in this little Bay: Celebrating 30 Years at the Kreeger
June 1 to October 5, 2024
Named for a work by Victorian poet Coventry Patmore, this commemorative exhibit reflects on human interactions with the natural world. Notable Impressionist paintings in the museum’s permanent collection inspired this look at how working en plein air has evolved since the 19th century. Viewers will examine thought-provoking photographs, paintings and sculptures created by modern-day artists from around the world who now live in DC, Maryland and Virginia. kreegermuseum.org

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN
Unbound: Narrative Art of the Plains
June 1 to January 20, 2026
Native American narrative art may document battle scenes on buffalo hide or record trade history on muslin cloth. This exhibit displays historic examples of the genre by 14 indigenous artists, along with more than 50 works by contemporary Native American artists, commissioned specifically for this show. americanindian.si.edu

AT THE WHEEL
Potter Ryan Greenheck embraces modern art in ceramic creations that reflect expressionist and abstract painting; pieces from the Pollock series are shown.

WONDROUS WOOD
Michael Cruz of Knotty by Nature uses a lathe to fashion decorative items out of wood; above: an inlaid bowl made of ambrosia maple burl.

MOOD INDIGO
R. Nemo Hill and Julio M. Perea of Exot Blue Dyers work in indigo utilizing tools of traditional Shibori, a Japanese tie-dye technique. The Beach Waves Midnight Silk Shawl is pictured.

Today, The Oaks boasts 11 suites in a main building renovated by Christine M. Dayton Architect and four cottages designed by Jonathan Rivera Architecture.

“The goal was to capture the inn’s rich history while updating it as a five-star property in a traditional-made-modern way,” says Easton designer Jamie Merida, whose eponymous firm spearheaded all the interiors. “The public spaces have been reimagined with soft colors, new furnishings and an elegant look.”

The Oaks features a bar and indoor/outdoor venues perfect for weddings and other special events. Rates from $389 include breakfast and use of bikes, kayaks and paddleboards. the-oaks.com

From hand-painted de Gournay wallpaper to Carrara marble countertops and Bardiglio and Carrara marble floors, the décor provides a trés chic backdrop for Raquel’s picture-perfect confections. Menu highlights include Strawberry Shortcake; Citrus Meringue Tart and Cherry, an assemblage of cherry compote, kirsch mousse and devil’s food cake cloaked in a deep-red glaze. Other temptations run the gamut from hazelnut-banana and berries-and-cream crêpes to ham-and-Gruyère and spinach-and-mushroom galettes. 5a Goldsborough Street; pbordier.com

PHOTOS: SCOTT SUCHMAN

Executive chef Matthew Lego sources local ingredients from nearby farms and purveyors to create modern, seasonal and sustainable fare. Entrées such as Crispy Chicken Breast with carrot purée and pea tendrils share the limelight with charcuterie plates, shareable apps and special salads.

“Leo is a comfortable, lively and casual space where everyone is welcome to gather,” says Hilarey, who serves as the restaurant’s sommelier. “It’s also our mission to support other local, small businesses.” 212 West Street; leoannapolis.com

PHOTOS: SCOTT SUCHMAN

The first major rehab since the museum’s 1987 debut brings it into the 21st century with flexible, expanded exhibition spaces; the Learning Commons complete with a gallery, library and classroom/studio; the updated Performance Hall; better accessibility; and state-of-the-art lighting.

“We’ve designed a forward-looking structure with versatile spaces while also maintaining the building’s historic spirit,” says lead architect Sandra Parsons Vicchio. The Great Hall (above) exemplifies this vision. Its original marble balustrades and coffered ceiling were preserved, as were the circa-1980s marble floors and chandeliers—now lit with LEDs. But a new, neutral palette elevates the space along with reworked gold-leaf accents and, on the mezzanine, custom Holland & Sherry wallpaper framing artwork on view.

“This transformative renovation makes it possible to be bolder and more inventive and imaginative,” notes NMWA director Susan Fisher Sterling, “and to provide strong programming now and into the future.”

Lead Architect: Sandra Parsons Vicchio, AIA, NCARB, LEEP AP, Sandra Vicchio & Associates, LLC, Baltimore, Maryland. Architect of Record: Cara Versace, AIA, NCARB, LEEP AP BD+C, MCA, Baltimore, Maryland. Interior Design of Public Spaces: Eileen Ritter & Associates, Washington, DC. Contractor: Grunley, Washington, DC. 

PHOTOS: REY LOPEZ

No Wires
LG has launched the world’s first wireless OLED TV. The model 97M3 connects wirelessly to various devices, including gaming consoles and set-top boxes, and is free of all cables except for its power cord. Available in 77-, 83- and 97-inch sizes. From $4,999. lg.com

All Ears
Harman Kardon’s new Aura Studio Bluetooth speaker, crafted in part out of recycled materials, pairs a sleek look with high-quality sound. With a six-speaker array that fills a room, it houses 324 individual crystals in the base of a dome. Ambient light— programmable in various color moods—dances to the rhythm of what’s playing. $299; harmankardon.com

Inside, public spaces include a 225-seat black box theater and a 57-foot-tall atrium that hosts everything from conferences to concerts and Broadway productions. With 1,600 seats, the Main Theater (above) is the largest performance space. Sections are vertically stacked to provide clear sightlines and proximity to the stage. HGA project designer Nat Madson notes that “a rich palette of interior finishes” details the theater. “Sculptural walnut millwork frames the seating chambers while brass-colored metal panels, folded and perforated to meet stringent acoustic criteria, line the room and surround the proscenium.”

Capital One Hall recently won an IIDA award for its interior spaces. The building is awaiting LEED Gold certification.

“We started looking online, but stock brands weren’t quite our style,” says Hoachlander. Then they discovered the perfect solution: Ready Set Van, a New Jersey workshop that outfits new and used vans with clean-lined, handcrafted interiors. “Their mantra is that if you wouldn’t want something in your house, it shouldn’t be in your van,” she says. She and Hobby bought a new Dodge van that was delivered to New Jersey and two months later, drove off in a gleaming Basecamper model. To accommodate photo shoots, Ready Set Van customized the vehicle with a clear plexiglass platform, installed over its solar panels.

Its open-plan layout, stainless-steel appliances and wood finishes spoke to their modern aesthetic. Amenities include an induction cooktop, LED lighting, heating and a/c, a built-in loo and a heated outdoor shower. Solar panels can power the interior for two or three days at a time; lithium batteries can also be charged via the engine through a separate alternator if needed. Unlike oversized RVs, the nimble, 19-foot-eight-inch-long van can be legally parked nationwide. “We love camping but want to experience cities too,” Hoachlander notes.

The couple recently took their maiden voyage to the Finger Lakes. “It’s not hard to drive and handles the highway well,” says Hobby. “We were also on some narrow back roads, and it did them well too.”

Ready Set Van’s Ben Fraser says he founded the company to “create a modern, Manhattan-style pied-à-terre on wheels. It’s our mission to build truly beautiful homes that also enable great adventure.” Builds start at $38,000, plus cost of van. readysetvan.com