Lenore Thomas Straus:
Sculpting a Life
A documentary film by Susan Gervasi
This documentary explores the life and work of Accokeek sculptor Lenore Thomas Straus.
Arriving in Washington, D.C. during the Great Depression, Straus became part of Roosevelt’s New Deal arts movement, creating public sculpture for experimental communities like Greenbelt, Maryland. Her bas-relief panels interpreting the Constitution’s Preamble remain a rare and powerful example of Social Realist art.
Living and working in Accokeek alongside Alice and Henry Ferguson, Straus was deeply influenced by the land—an influence that shaped both her artistic voice and her enduring legacy.
About the Film
Directed by filmmaker Susan Gervasi, Lenore traces the life of an artist who forged her path through adversity, creativity, and conviction.
From her early years at the Art Institute of Chicago to her New Deal commissions, Straus used art to explore themes of justice, identity, and social change. Her work—and her life—were shaped by the political tensions of her time, personal struggles, and a deep connection to place.
In Accokeek and the Moyaone Reserve, she built a vibrant creative community while continuing to evolve as an artist, later embracing Zen Buddhism and creating works marked by reflection and serenity. Lenore offers an intimate portrait of a woman whose art, relationships, and surroundings were inseparable.
Post-Film Conversation
Following the screening, guests are invited to a Q&A with filmmaker Susan Gervasi, exploring Straus’s life, work, and lasting impact.
Event Details
Location
Alice Ferguson Foundation Pavilion
2201 Bryan Point Road
Accokeek, Maryland
Program Includes
- Documentary screening
- Conversation with filmmaker Susan Gervasi
- Light refreshments
Date & Time
Saturday, September 19, 2026 at 7:00pm
Make It a Full Experience
Upgrade to the Maryland 250 Bundle to experience the full series, including
- Land as Muse Art Exhibit & Sale
- Documentary Screening + Q&A
- Celebration on the Potomac
- Historical Exhibit in the Barn
- Exclusive Meet the Artist Opening Reception with Cynthia Rudzis and Nicole Bourgea
$50 of every bundle ticket supports environmental education for children. Because the next 250 years begin with the children we educate today.
Artwork of Lenore Thomas Straus
at the Alice Ferguson Foundation
