Sterling resident George Thigpen near his work “Simon,” a black and white collage portrait of Reston founder Robert E. Simon. Photo by Ryan Dunn.
On April 12, friends and members of the League of Reston Artists met at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery located at the Reston Community Center for a reception. The reception was a Founder’s Day Art Show and award ceremony. On April 11, many Reston residents enjoyed the 14th Annual Reston Founder's Day, celebrating Reston turning 51 and its founder, Robert E. Simon turning 101. “This group is very inclusive,” said League of Reston Artists president Jim Schlett. “We have many art tours across the Reston area and continue an active scholarship program.” For two days, Friday, April 17 to Saturday, April 18, the Herndon Branch lobby of Northwest Federal Credit Union will become an impressive art gallery for a special community partner event with the League of Reston Artists.
The League of Reston Artists (LRA) was established almost 50 years ago, and one of the Founding Members, Reston resident Pat MacIntyre, helped with a presentation of awards. “This group really does wonderful work,” said MacIntyre. “It was difficult to choose winners.” MacIntyre is a graduate of Corcoran School of Art and owner of Reston Art Gallery and Studios (RAGS) located at Lake Anne Plaza. The League of Reston Artists sponsors exhibits, workshops and programs for artist members, a meeting group for photography lovers and makers, the Reston Photographic Society, and opportunities for artists at every stage of their interests and impulses.
Sterling resident George Thigpen took the Founder’s Day Choice award for his work “Simon,” a portrait collage of Reston founder Robert E. Simon. “I have been doing works in this style for 23 years, it took about two months or 200 hours to complete this piece,” said Thigpen. The first place prize was won by Karen Danenberger for her work “Walking in Reston.” Second place was awarded to Pam Blehert for her work “Conversation, Starbucks, North Point.” Third place was presented to Gennara Moore for her work “The Good Mood.” Many of the art pieces on display at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery are available for purchase.
A self-published book about the exhibition was available for purchase, and painters were available to discuss their work. “The purpose of the book and exhibit was to examine the heart of Reston,” said Antonella Manganelli, one of the participating artists who has a piece on display in the show. Herndon resident Melanie Stanley has two pieces in the exhibit. One of her works is mixed media piece called “North Village Owl.”
“I worked on the owl piece for about a month,” said Stanley. Stanley remarked she has greatly enjoyed her association with the LRA.