More Loudoun Arts News
ArtSquare combines Gallery 222, King Street Studios and the Loudoun Academy of the Arts — all in one bigger and better location. "We're still the best place to see art, now serving our community better than ever with fine art classes, gallery exhibitions and studios for working artists," says Gale Waldron, Executive Director of Gallery 222 and the Loudoun Academy of the Arts Foundation.
See Leesburg Today's coverage of the opening in their article dated Monday, March 15, 2010: ArtSquare Celebrates Opening.
ArtSquare
12 Cardinal Park Drive SE
Leesburg, VA 20175
703-777-5498; 703-777-8043
Photoworks Announces New Partnerships
Sep 16, 2009
Photoworks is celebrating 30 years in business in Historic Downtown Leesburg and is also excited to announce their new partnership, under one roof, with Sarah Huntington Photography (25 years in business) and Linda Callagy, the Framing Lady, (17 years in business). Photoworks is located in downtown historic Leesburg at 2 A Loudoun St SW.
Round Hill Arts Center to Relocate to Hill High Orchards
Date: September 15, 2009
If all goes according to plan, the Round Hill Arts Center will be established in a new home in the Hill High Orchards building before the holidays.
According to RHAC Executive Director Frank Naylor, the Center has signed a letter of intent for the new space, which will be behind the existing Hill High Country Store. The space will include a brand new state-of-the-art pottery studio, art studios for classes and room for a new gallery.
The Center has grown exponentially since its inception in 2000. Interim Board President Lisa Zimmer-Chu explained that over the summer, the Board of Directors made the decision to move from the Center's original location in the Old Furniture Factory in Round Hill "in order to pursue a location that would better support the Center's mission and continued growth."
"The new location keeps us in Round Hill but with quality space designed to be an art center from the ground up with room to grow," Naylor said. "It will meet code, be ADA accessible, and be more economical to operate."
In addition, the Hill High Orchards location is in a high-traffic area, has ample paved parking, outside space with tables and a small lake to facilitate outside events and classes in season, Naylor added. "It is an exciting start," he said.
The Board envisions and is working toward an artist supported co-operative gallery space that would be staffed by the artists themselves. "This will be the only artists' co-op in western Loudoun County," Zimmer-Chu said.
"In talking with other artists who've sold and worked with the Center, we're all really excited about actively supporting and working with the Art Center board in their new location," said Waterford fiber artist Mary Kenesson.
Local artist and member of the co-operative committee Meredith Hilt agreed, saying she is "really excited to see the Round Hill Arts Center expand its horizons and be able to offer so many more wonderful opportunities for artists and the community."
While the Center's primary focus will be on visual arts classes and the artists' co-op, Zimmer-Chu said a variety of musical events, in keeping with the Center's popular Bluegrass Jam Sessions at the Old Furniture Factory building, are being planned for the future.
The Center has already moved out of the Old Furniture Factory and expects to be operational in the Hill High Orchards location within 30-60 days. In the interim, arrangements have been made to hold classes in temporary off-site locations.
"As with all non-profits," Zimmer-Chu said, "ongoing community support is critical, especially during transition periods." The Center is encouraging continued community input, attendance at classes, volunteerism and tax-deductible financial donations.
The Round Hill Arts Center is a community-based and community-supported 501(c)3 nonprofit organization devoted to providing opportunities to explore the creative arts through classes, exhibits, musical events, artist meetings and more. For more information and updates on the progress of the Center's move, visit www.roundhillartscenter.org
The Art Institute Of Washington - Northern Virginia Open House on Saturday, August 8, 2009
Community, prospective students invited to find out about school, enjoy fun activities
The Art Institute of Washington - Northern Virginia, the newest addition to The Art Institutes system of schools, will host an open house for the community and prospective students at their new Sterling, Va. location on Saturday, August 8, 2009. The open house is open to the public with no admission charge.
The event will be held at their temporary location at Dulles Town Center-21010 Dulles Town Circle, in Sterling. Check-in begins at 10:00 am followed by presentations from the admissions department on available programs of study as well as the college admissions and financial aid process (financial aid is available to those who qualify). Samples of art work from students attending Art Institutes schools will also be shared.
The information session will be accompanied by a live radio remote with local station WKYS 93.9 FM from 12:00-2:00pm. Refreshments, food and games will be available outdoors following the informational component of the program. "We can't wait to really reach out in a broad way to new and future students by showing them up-close what The Art Institute of Washington - Northern Virginia has to offer," said Sam Ortiz, the school's campus director. "Inviting and involving the whole community is important to us, as we're proud of what we're bringing to the area and want to share it with the community."
Opening this October, The Art Institute of Washington - Northern Virginia will offer bachelor's degree programs in Advertising, Fashion & Retail Management, Graphic Design, Interior Design, Media Arts & Animation, Photographic Imaging, and Web Design & Interactive Media; and associate's degree programs in Graphic Design, and Web Design & Interactive Media.
Final renovations are now being made to the school's permanent location-encompassing approximately 19,000 square feet-at 21000 Atlantic Boulevard in Sterling, Va. Enrollment for the fall has already begun with classes starting October 5, 2009. For more information about The Art Institute of Washington - Northern Virginia, call (888) 627-5008 or visit the school's website at http://www.artinstitutes.edu/northern-virginia.
The Long and Winding Road
to the Arts Center at Franklin Park
It was almost ten years ago when the Barns at Franklin Park, Inc. began constructing an arts center on the foundation of an old dairy barn. Today, thanks to the efforts of many patient individuals, organizations and the county government, the Franklin Park Visual and Performing Arts Center is finally open to the public.
At a dignitary-filled event held in February, the Center opened with an official ribbon cutting ceremony. The auditorium held a standing room only audience filled with long-time supporters of the project as well as local artists and representatives from arts organizations. The opening also included performances by Dolly Stevens, VSA-Arts, Hamilton Trio, Jazz and Company (part of the Loudoun School of Ballet), and Flint Hollow, all local performers, as well as art displayed from the 9th Annual Youth Art Show.
After years of little progress, the flurry of activity began when the county voters approved the money to complete the arts center in 2004. The office space was completed last summer, and the staff moved in. At the same time, the upper level drywall and public restrooms were completed, and the seats and carpeting were installed in the theatre. "People who have been involved with the project from the beginning walk into the theatre, and they have tears in their eyes seeing the seats," VSA specialist, Benjamin Shoenberger, commented.
Since then, the dressing rooms and green room have been completed, the driveway has been paved, the silo has been re-roofed, and fire suppression system is operational. The stage floor has also been also installed. The only item remaining is the air conditioning. The purchase for that system was approved last year by the Loudoun County Board of Supervisors, and should be installed later this year.
The Arts Center is also now available for rental by the public. A fee schedule has been approved, and reservations are already being taken. Among the spaces available for rent are the auditorium, the lobby/gallery space, and the Green Room level rooms. "The gallery is a nice, bright space, and there is lots of exposure to the public," said Barbara Sample, the Center's Volunteer Coordinator and a local photographer as well. Those interested in booking the Arts Center should contact the office for more details.
After languishing for years at the Round Hill Center, the staff is thrilled to have working space in the new Center. Jeffrey Stern heads up the staff as Manager along with Barbara Sample, Volunteer Coordinator; Benjamin Shoenberger, VSA Specialist; Alex Gomez, Technical Director; and Chris King, Customer Service Assistant. Several instructors are also on board to teach theatre, music, dance, visual arts and pre-kindergarten crafts.
Educational offerings continue to be on the agenda in the new center. For more information about the Franklin Park Visual and Performing Arts Center, classes, renting the facility or volunteer opportunities, please call (540) 338-7973.
