Save the Dates: A Full Slate For Founders Week Starting April 3

FOUNDERS WEEK1

To properly memorialize Reston Founder Robert E. Simon, the Reston Historic Trust, the Initiative for Public Art Reston and other local groups are greatly expanding Founders Day into Founders Week April 3 to 10.

Simon died in September at age 101. His 102nd birthday would have been April 10, 2016.

The celebrations will be a combo of art exhibits, films, and the traditional party on the plaza.

 The community Founders Day celebration on April 9 will feature a little (and a big) something extra — the addition of a ferris wheel and a recreation of a historical piece of Reston public art.

Founders Day at Lake Anne Plaza, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 9 . Free.

Join the Reston Historic Trust and Museum to celebrate Robert E. Simon, Jr. and Reston. Founder’s Day will feature a 50-foot Ferris wheel sponsored by Reston Association (RA), children’s activities, children’s art projects in cooperation with the Initiative for Public Art – Reston (IPAR), musical entertainment for all ages provided by local artists and schools, guided walks around Lake Anne Plaza in cooperation with IPAR and RA, and remarks by local elected officials.

On this special Founder’s Day, Lake Anne of Reston Condominium Association (LARCA) and IPAR partnered to commission a new version of The Wooden Horse originally created by artist Gonzalo Fonseca in 1965. The sculpture was first installed on grass, as in a pasture, and was later moved to a brick walkway, not far from the building, another sculpture created by Fonseca.

Because both sculptures were made of wood, they have been lost to the effects of time. Like the other sculptures at Lake Anne Plaza, The Horse was meant to be played on. This new version of The Wooden Horse was constructed by Reston artist Marco Rando.

Here’s an overview of what else is on the Founders Day slate:

Emerging Visions: Contemplating Community at Greater Reston Arts Center, 12001 Market Street at Reston Town Center. Free.

Throughout Founder’s Week, the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) will be exhibiting Emerging Visions: Contemplating Community, featuring the work of talented local high school (Herndon, Oakton, and South Lakes)  artists inspired by Robert E. Simon’s vision for his New Town, its founding principles, and what it means to live in an open community. Students from reflect on the continuing relevance of Bob Simon’s vision in today’s world.

Founders Day Exhibit: The Way I See…By League of Reston Artists at  Jo Ann Rose Gallery, RCC Lake Anne, 1609-A Washington Plaza. Free.

Reception: Sunday, April 3. 2 to 4 p.m.

An art exhibit judged by Reston artist Pat McIntyre that captures “reality is not what we see but what we discover and create for ourselves.”

Reston: From New Town to Metro at Greater Reston Arts Center, Monday April 4 at 7:30 p.m. Join Roger K. Lewis, FAIA for a lecture and  champagne/dessert reception from Red Velvet Cupcakery. $10 suggested donation.

Lewis, architect and professor emeritus of architecture at the University of Maryland, will deliver a lecture exploring Reston’s place in the New Town movement.

Documentary Screening: Levitated Mass By Doug Pray at RCC Hunters Woods, 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, April 5. Free. This is the story of how a work of public art captivated Los Angeles in 2012.

Lecture: The Future of the American Suburb: Lessons from Reston by Patrick Phillips, CEO of Urban Land Institute (ULI) at RCC Lake Anne, 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 6. Free.

Hear about the impact Reston has had on suburban development. Phillips will discuss the special characteristics of Reston that have been influential in shaping other suburban communities across the U.S.

Best of Reston Community Service Awards Gala at the Hyatt Regency Reston, 6 p.m. on Tuesday, April 7. Tickets available from Cornerstones.

Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the special partnership between the Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce and Cornerstones, this signature annual event raises funds and showcases the very best in community involvement and corporate philanthropy and engagement.

Performance: The Rhythmic Circus: Feet Don’t Fail Me Now at RCC Hunters Woods, 8 p.m. on Friday, April 8. $20 Reston/$30 Non-Reston. Tickets: Restoncommunitycenter.com.

Faith Communities Honor Robert E. Simon Jr., April 8 – April 10, throughout Greater Reston.

In conjunction with Cornerstones and its sponsoring religious organizations, various faith communities will contemplate the legacy of Robert E. Simon, Jr. duringFounders Week. While Bob was not personally religious, his life’s work touched Reston in ways that resonate with values that are fundamental to all faiths: the dignity of each human being and the necessity for inclusive and holistic communities. More info: [email protected]

Documentary Screening: Fun, Beauty, Fantasy: Reston’s Public Art at RCC Lake Anne, 10 a.m. (screenings every 15 minutes) on Saturday, April 9.

Director by Rebekah Wingert-Jabi has a short film highlighting Reston’s public art works and history.

Exhibit: Joyful Color in Reston by Joan S. Kelly at Reston Art Gallery, 11400 Washington Plaza West, 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 9. Free.

Painter Joan Kelly says: “This will be my way to honor founder Robert E. Simon and express the joy my family and I have felt ever since we moved to Reston in 1975. It has been a very special place to live, work and play!  My paintings will feature the beauty of diverse areas in Reston: The old and new, active and quiet areas, the trails, woods and lakes, and the arts and community spirit, that are all an inherent part of this place called Reston.

A Gift to Bob’s Community: In Celebration of Robert E. Simon, Jr. at Hyatt Regency Reston, 2 to 4 p.m. on April 10. Free , but reservations required

Celebrate the life of Robert E. Simon, Jr. with the Audubon Quartet, a short film about his life created by Storycatcher Productions, and stories of his times and experiences. Light refreshments will be served. To make reservations, beginning March 29, call the CenterStage Box Office at 703-476- 4500, and Press 3. There is a limit of 4 reservations per household.

Mercury Fountain Celebration at Reston Town Center, 4:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 10. Free. The fountain in fountain square will be turned on for the season and will feature music and family fun.

Outdoor Documentary Screening: Another Way of Living: The Story of Reston, VA at Reston Town Center Pavilion, 7:30 p.m. on Sunday, April 10. Free.

Washington West Film Festival, in cooperation with Reston Town Center Association, presents present this outdoor screening of director Rebekah Wingert-Jabi’s film about our community’s beloved founder, Robert E. Simon, Jr. and the creation of Reston. Please come with blankets or chairs.

See even more details on Reston Community Center’s website.

Photo: Top Courtesy RCC; Bottom, Bob Simon at Founders Day 2014/file photo 

Recent Stories

George Mason University has been exploring plans to expand its West Campus off of Braddock Road (staff photo by Angela Woolsey) It has not been a great week for plans…

Fox Mill Road in Herndon will be closed on April 1 (via VDOT) Fox Mill Road will be closed at the beginning of next month to allow for a pipe…

Morning Notes

A truck lifts trimmed tree branches in Vienna (staff photo by Angela Woolsey) N. Va. Sees Rise in Home Sales — “The number of home sales in Northern Virginia rose…

Herndon’s indoor tennis court center is closed early for the season (courtesy Town of Herndon) The Town of Herndon’s indoor tennis center has closed early for the season, the Herndon…

×

Subscribe to our mailing list