Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival is Back at RTC May 21-22

More than 200 artists — along with live entertainment and family fun — return to Reston Town Center May 21 and 22 for the 25th annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival.

Festival artists from across the nation have been selected by jurors to exhibit and sell their paintings, photography, mixed-media, sculpture, jewelry, and fine crafts. This year’s lineup will include 38 artists exhibiting at the festival for the first time.

Complete list of festival artists.

Also among the artists: 28 artists from the D.C. metro region, including Reston-area artists Ann Barbieri, Laura Edwards, Dana Ann Scheurer, and Connie Slack.

Festival artists are selected on the basis of quality, originality, and craftsmanship by a panel of expert, independent jurors appointed by the Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE). This year’s jurors – artist, Tim Doud; curator, Ashley Kistler; and interior designer, Judith Weisman – will also serve as judges for the 2016 festival.

More than 30,000 visitors are expected to check out the festival this year. Here is what you need to know:

Hours and Prices — The festival is open from 10:00 a.m. until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 21, and 10:00 a.m. until 5:00 p.m. on Sunday, May 22 at Reston Town Center, 11900 Market Street, Reston, VA 20190. A gate donation of $5 to GRACE is suggested and provides a festival program and dining certificates for local restaurants. Parking is free.

Launch Party — There will be a Festival Launch Party in the Reston Town Center Pavilion on Friday, May 20 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. The party will feature fun food and beverages and a silent auction. Tickets are limited, so purchase soon if you want to attend. Tickets are $100 each and can be purchased online.

Special Souvenirs — To commemorate the 25th anniversary, Greater Reston Arts Center has commissioned past festival award winners Jeremy and Chelsea Griffith to create handmade limited-edition, spill-proof, stemless wine glasses.

For $150, you can purchase a set of two “wobbling” glasses inscribed with “2016 GRACE Fine Arts Festival.”  The glasses rotate on a pivot point but do not fall over. Proceeds benefit GRACE programs. Order online on the festival website.

Family Fun — There will be free art activities for the whole family. The Family Art Park in the Pavilion features four hands-on art projects inspired by the GRACE Art program, which offers supplemental art enrichment to over 35 area schools.

Live Entertainment – The festival will include special dance performances sponsored by Reston Community Center at Hyatt Park and Town Square Park, utilizing Reston Town Center’s major public art works.

Dance groups include Gin Dance Company, Ravel Dance Company, Classical Ballet Theatre and GroundShare Arts Alliance. Visit the festival website to see the schedule of performances.

Event sponsors include Lindsay Volkswagen of Dulles, Reston Community Center, Reston Town Center Association, The M Group, and Reston Town Center.

Photos: 2015 Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival