As the pandemic continues on, many Northern Virginia residents are wondering, “Now what?” thinking of ways to fill their weekends with fun, while still remaining safe and socially distant. Just in time, Public Art Reston has recently launched its new Public Art Explorer program for families, as well as an update to self-guided art tours.
The Public Art Explorer program is a new online series of art activity pages, filled with interactive learning experiences for children and their families. Designed for all ages, it is packed with things to do at home and while exploring Reston’s public artworks on-site.
The first three artists featured in the program include Valerie Theberge, Mary Ann Mears and Gonzalo Fonseca, whose public art can be found at various locations throughout Reston. Public Art Reston plans to expand these offerings as the summer continues.
Each free, downloadable activity packet introduces a key theme inspired by the artists and explores public art from a variety of angles, and also includes ways for kids to create something special themselves through writing, drawing or making the suggested art projects included.
Another recent initiative, Public Art Reston has published an updated, self-guided tour of Lake Anne’s public art, encouraging art fans of all ages to head to the Lake Anne Village Center and Reston Town Center for an outdoor, self-guided tour.
The guides takes you on an art walk throughout Lake Anne’s open plaza and along its paths to explore the range of 11 works that enhance the communal spaces. The guide also documents four temporary public art projects and programs that took place there. The second guide offers a self-guided tour of 14 Reston Town Center public artworks throughout its urban setting.
Art fans can also discover the 50-plus public artworks in Reston by checking the free, public art map here. For more information, visit publicartreston.org.
For more ways to spend your summer days, subscribe to our newsletters.
