Reston Public Art Project Gets $30K from Loudoun Development

A new public art installation planned for Reston Town Center has signed a Loudoun housing community as a major sponsor.

The Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) and Initiative for Public Art-Reston (IPAR) announced in December that IPAR had been recommended for a $20,000 National Endowment for the Arts ArtWorks Grant to support the creation of a temporary, site-specific, large-scale public art work in Reston by artist Patrick Dougherty.

Willowsford — a planned community in Loudoun County with an emphasis on sustainability and nature conservancy — has signed on to become the lead sponsor for the temporary project, committing $30,000.

“We are so excited to have Willowsford joining this project,” said GRACE Executive Director and Curator Holly Koons McCullough. “With their focus on the natural environment and architectural quality, Willowsford is an ideal partner.”

Willowsford spokesman Laura Cole said the sculpture — which will use natural materials such as sticks — “is a wonderful metaphor for what we are building in Loudoun.”

Willowsford will provide saplings from the property to be used in the sculpture, Cole said in a statement.

“This was important to us, to be a real partner and participant in this exciting endeavor, not just a passive investor,” said Cole. “It fits well with who we are, with 2,000 of our 4,000 acres cared for by the Willowsford Conservancy, and set aside for environmental preservation, recreation, and agricultural use. The goal is to provide a complete living experience, and world-class art is certainly a part of the essential life.”

Dougherty is an internationally-renowned sculptor who has created more than 230 sculptural installations worldwide. Dougherty will be creating project in Town Square Park, directly across from the GRACE gallery.

The sculpture, which will take several weeks to build, will be open to the public on April 25. It is anticipated to remain on site for up to two years. Because Dougherty works with natural materials, his sculptures have a limited life span.

Photo: Patrick Dougherty outdoor work “Call of the Wild, Tacoma WA/Credit: Duncan Price