Tephra Arts Festival returns to Reston Town Center next month

The Tephra Institute of Contemporary Arts (Tephra ICA) annual arts festival will return to Reston Town Center on May 20 through 21.

The event — formerly known as the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival — brings together more than 200 contemporary artists and artisans from around the country to present artwork in front of audiences.

This year, more than 200 artists from 32 states across the U.S. and Canada will take part in the event.

“This community event is an incredible opportunity to have direct contact with great contemporary artists and artisans,” Tephra ICA Associate Curator and Festival Director Hannah Barco said. “One doesn’t often get a chance to meet the artist while looking at their work, and that’s what this event is all about. Then when you decide to bring that work home, you’re not just making a purchase, you’re continuing a relationship with that artist.”

Hoesy Corona, a Baltimore-based queer Latino artist, will perform a site-specific artwork that explores the immigrant experience. It is presented by Reston Community Center.

This year’s festival will also feature the launch of Reston Town Center Association’s annual Reston Concerts on the Town series, which was canceled last year because the town center’s pavilion was undergoing renovations.

“There is something for everyone at the Tephra ICA Arts Festival. Artwork in more than 10 mediums, live performances, family friendly art activities, and more,” Jaynelle Hazard, executive director and curator of Tephra ICA, said in a statement. “This year, we’re thrilled for the addition of a free, public concert…The concert will take place on Saturday evening, and we look forward to welcoming new audiences to the event.”

Here’s the planned schedule of events for the festival:

Saturday, May 20

• Artist Booths: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Family Art Park: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. | Sponsored by Microsoft
• Hoesy Corona Performances: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. | Presented by Reston Community Center
• Festival Cocktail Hour and Award Ceremony: 6:30 p.m. | Sponsored by the Hyatt
• Reston Concerts on the Town: Dance Candy! 7:30 p.m. | Presented by Reston Town Center Association

Sunday, May 21

• Artist Booths: 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
• Family Art Park: 10 a.m.-4 p.m.
• Hoesy Corona Performances: 1 p.m. and 4 p.m.

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