During the month of October, communities across the country celebrate the arts as part of National Arts and Humanities Month, and Herndon is no different.
From Oct. 13-17, there will be arts-related activities happening around town, many of which are free to the public. The kickoff of the fund-raising campaign, headed by the Herndon Foundation for the Cultural Arts, for the Herndon Arts Center will cap off the week.
"It's one way to capitalize on what the arts are about," said Debbie Goldman, who took over as executive director of the Council for the Arts of Herndon Oct. 1. "And hopefully more arts appreciation is going on this week."
THE HERNDON TOWN COUNCIL first officially recognized Arts Week in 1986, confirmed Viki Wellershaus, town clerk, in an e-mail. It will do so again, Oct. 14 through a resolution that reads in part: "Whereas, the performing arts, the visual arts and literature are central to human expression; and whereas, our identity as a people and as a town is expressed through the arts. … Now, therefore, be it resolved that the Town Council of the Town of Herndon, Va., hereby recognizes the week of Oct. 13 to Oct. 18, 2003 as Herndon Arts Week in the Town of Herndon and calls upon the citizens of Herndon to observe such week with appropriate programs and activities."
Some of those activities include a puppet show, wine tasting, musical performances, and storytelling at various locations in town.
"Arts Week was designed to celebrate the arts — all the different arts," said Grace Wolf, a member of the board of directors of the Council for the Arts of Herndon. "There is an event every single day targeted at couples, families, people new to Herndon.
Grace said all the events are casual, including the Council's reception Wednesday at the Hyatt Dulles, and are family friendly.
"We're not a pretentious group of people," Grace said. "All the events are informal, no dressing up. And they're all suitable for all ages."