Welcome to Artful Weekend, our guide to fun and interesting ways to enjoy art in person or virtually.
This weekend: Heroes and Villains plus Color and Emotion at the League; the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival in Reston; Stigma at Del Ray Artisans; and Stone Bridge Artists’ walking art tour.
Heroes and Villains
The forces of good and not-so-good converge in Heroes and Villains, our September themed exhibit. These character archetypes have appeared in artwork throughout history. League artists express their own interpretation of heroes, villains, or themes of good vs. evil—be it a classical reference or humorous understanding—in mediums ranging from drawing and painting to photography, ceramics, fiber art and mixed media. It’s on view in the gallery and online through October 3.
Robabeh Riasati: Color and Emotion
“A major skill in the art is to understand light,” says September Solo Artist Robabeh Riasati about her exhibit Color and Emotion. In this a collection of intuitive abstract paintings, Riasati prompts viewers to consider what light reveals in her dark and muted canvases. It is on view through October 3.
Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival
The Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, hosted by the Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art, returns to Reston this weekend. Works by more than 200 artists in a variety of mediums including ceramics, digital and multimedia art, drawing, glass, jewelry, painting, photography, printmaking, sculpture, metal, textiles, and wood will be on exhibit. Festivities also include the first public celebration of the Buoyant Force sculpture by artist and George Mason University Associate Professor Sue Wrbican that is located in Reston Town Square Park; a poetry reading by Heather Streckfus-Green; a specially-choreographed performance by DMV-based dance artist Tariq Darell O’Meally, who will present reprisals on Sunday; and a Take-and-Make activity for young art enthusiasts; September 10-12, 10:00 – 5:00 p.m. rain or shine at Reston Town Center, Reston, VA.
Stigma
Merriam-Webster’s definition of stigma is “a mark of disgrace associated with a particular circumstance, quality or person.” Stigma the exhibit, at Del Ray Artisans Gallery, brings to light the challenges stigma presents for individuals connecting with society. In it, local adult and high school artists express their perspective on the concept—how it feels, how it can affect and/or disrupt lives, and how it can be overcome; on view through September 25 online, and in-person, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue, Alexandria, VA.
Stone Bridge Artists Tour
In their first tour exhibition, Stone Bridge Artists will feature the work of nine prominent local artists with displays of painting, prints, glass, bronze, ceramics, and photography, all in p.m. relaxed residential venues from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00, Saturday, September 11 and Sunday, September 12. Locations are in southern Fairfax County between Route 1 and Fort Hunt Road, south of Old Town Alexandria. For addresses and a map, visit this link and click on “Event Details,” or visit them on Instagram: @StoneBridgeARTIST.
Enjoy the weekend!