Art-lovers and fun-seekers find it all at MPAartfest What’s New at MPAartfest on Sunday OCT 5! Photos courtesy of MPA
On Sunday, Oct. 5, from 10 am - 5 pm, McLean Project for the Arts will present its eighth annual MPAartfest in McLean Central Park. MPAartfest is an event for art lovers of all ages. Featuring fifty specially-selected artists and fine craftsmen, McLean Central Park is transformed into a lively landscape of mini art galleries, art activities, live music, food and drink.
New this year is the MPA Hands-on Art Studio where visitors of all ages can experience firsthand the award-winning MPA Artreach program. Participants will create a one-of-a-kind mandala (sanskrit for circle), lead by MPA’s Art Educator, Sharon Fishel, while learning how to take STEM to STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, ART and Math). Finished projects may be added to the community art “quilt.” MPA Hands-on Art Studio is sponsored by TTR Sotheby’s International Realty.
Guided MPA Gallery Tours are also new this year. Meet Sharon Fishel at noon and 3 p.m. in the McLean Community Center lobby for a special tour of the Voyage of Discovery, alienweeds, and Intimate Feasts exhibitions. The MPA galleries will be open all day for viewing and those who visit can enter for free drawings for MPA memberships and special events, gift certificates to local restaurants and more.
MPAartfest favorites return as well. Everyone can try their hand at live figure drawing at MPA’s Open Studio. The Children’s ArtWalk, sponsored by the McLean Community Foundation, will feature art from K-6 grade students in the McLean area. Live music in the Gazebo, food from favorite area restaurants and wine and beer in the MPA Beret Cafe round out this creatively fun day.
McLean Central Park is located at the intersection of Dolley Madison Blvd and Old Dominion Drive. Parking is free and easy and free shuttle buses run all day from designated nearby parking lots.
There is no charge for admission to MPAartfest, but a $5 contribution is greatly appreciated and will help support MPAartfest as well as exhibition and art education programs at McLean Project for the Arts. MPAartfest event partners are the McLean Community Center, Fairfax County Park Authority, and the McLean Community Foundation. All proceeds of purchased art support the individual artists.
Sponsorships to support this free community event are still available. Please contact Krista Vita at 703-790-1953 or kvita@mpaart.org for more information.
McLean Project for the Arts is a non-profit visual arts center founded in 1962 to exhibit the work of emerging and established regional artists. In addition to its program of high quality, professionally-curated art exhibitions, MPA offers art classes for children and adults taught by professional art instructors. MPA also presents the Art Reach program for area schools, gallery talks, and day trips to area museums and galleries. MPA is a partner with the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts and Fairfax County Public Schools.
McLean Project for the Arts is located at 1234 Ingleside Avenue, McLean.