Preparations are underway for tonight’s ArtFest party — the fun, free festival of art hosted by The Art League. The party starts at 6:00 pm at The Art League’s Madison Annex, 305 Madison St. in Alexandria. The 3-D instructional space will be open for special events including live music in the sculpture classroom, food and drinks in the fiber space, and artist demos from instructors including ceramicist Blair Meerfeld, fiber artist Sylvia DeMar, forensic artist Joe Mullins, and silk screen artist Nancy McIntyre.

Also from The Art League School, the stained glass and fiber departments will be on hand with students and instructors showing off and selling their work.

Today is also the start of the Jewelry Show and Sale and the Ceramic and Pottery Show and Sale, which will be going on during the party and continuing through the weekend. There are a wide variety of pieces to choose from, both functional and decorative, and affordably priced. Like all the ArtFest events, these sales are at the Madison Annex.

Tonight’s party also marks the start of a retrospective show and sale featuring art by Nancy Reinke, the late Art League and Torpedo Factory artist. The show continues through the weekend. For a full schedule of ArtFest Weekend events, click here.