Are you ready to start your folder of the artists you like? One way to start it is to visit the local art festivals. These festivals are held throughout the year and are a great way to be introduced to local artists and to find pieces of art that “speak to you”.
Each Spring, the Great Falls Studios sponsor the Spring ArtFest. At this event, Great Falls Studios artists display and sell their artwork at the Great Falls Grange and the Old Schoolhouse.
Each Spring, the GreaterRestonArtsCenter (GRACE) sponsors the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival at the Reston Town Center. “Festival attendees will enjoy viewing inspiring and innovative art in a wide variety of media, interacting directly with artists from around the country…”. The festival features over “200 of the nation’s best artists”.
The 16th Annual Alexandria King Street Art Festival will be held this September. This arts festival “transforms the city’s historic main street into a world-class outdoor art gallery. Festival booths (will be)…featuring over six blocks or artwork by more than 200 artists from the US and abroad”.
Another option for finding original artwork is at the Torpedo Factory Art Center in Old Town Alexandria, VA. “An Alexandria landmark for more than 40 years”, it is “home to the nation’s largest collection of working-artists’ open studios under one roof”. “Find artwork in a wide variety of media–including painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, stained glass, fiber, printmaking, and sculpture–in 82 artists’ studios”.
Go out and enjoy these venues–and start adding to your folder!
And, if you have any other favorite art festivals, please let us know. We love adding to our folder.