Art can be a medium of many messages, and this is true with Marisela Rumberg’s most recent show called “Abstracts and Color,” showing throughout June at the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton. 

One of her art pieces is called “Zen Meditation,” and it absorbs stress that may be left over from her other job as a language interpreter for the Fairfax County Public School system.

“All my art has been helping me a lot,” she said. Some of her work is in area hospitals to add some positivity to the patients too, especially the cancer sections. 

“It does work, totally,” Rumberg added.

It hasn’t all been easy for Marisela Rumberg though, and getting to the point where she has studios in both the Workhouse in Lorton and the Torpedo Factory in Alexandria took some work. Rumberg started with a degree in international economics which led to a job with General Electric doing imports and exports for several years. In 2019 she started her own language interpreter company, specializing in Spanish to English or English to Spanish. This is valuable in the public school environment where she puts in about 10 hours a week, and also outside conferences and events where interpretation is needed.

But her work in the arts sphere reaps the most benefits for her, she said, and also for the viewer. Inside the exhibit, surrounded by positivity is a “hug for the soul, to make you feel happy as I do when I make it.”

The overall positive environment at the Workhouse is part of her success too. There are different artists presenting various art shows at the Workhouse throughout the year. U.S. Rep. James Walkinshaw (D-11) visited earlier this year for another event, and called the Workhouse "one of Northern Virginia’s defining cultural institutions.” 

In April, Phoebe Twichell Peterson exhibited "Wavelength," consisting of paintings about the ocean that seeks commonality with the viewer through humor and imagination. 

Another show in June is the glass art show called "Growing Glass: Instructor Honor Roll."

The animals are part of her Alebrije Skin collection, inspired by the Mexican “Alebrijes,” guardian spirits that protect and are loaded with good vibes from Marisela herself.