Public Art Reston and Reston Museum are co-hosting a free public program, “Reston Inspires Art”, with the South Lakes High School (SLHS) STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art Math) Team Public Art Club on Wednesday, March 15, 7:00 – 9:00 pm at the Jo Ann Rose Gallery at the Reston Community Center Lake Anne. This event is part of an annual speaker series organized by Reston Museum and sponsored by Reston Community Center. This is the 2nd year that Public Art Reston is partnering with Reston Museum on an arts-related program for the series. While free, event registration is encouraged. Register at https://www.restonmuseum.org/event-details/reston-inspires-art.
Now in its eleventh year, the SLHS STEAM Team Public Art Club has been creating temporary public art installations for the Lake Thoreau spillway (a utilitarian drainage platform) in Reston since 2014. Guided by STEAM Team advisor and SLHS Art Teacher, Marco Rando, and proudly supported by Public Art Reston and Reston Association, STEAM Team students gain real-world experience following the same process required for a professional artist to realize a public artwork in Reston. Students use all the elements of “STEAM” to realize the sculptures. Rando also emphasizes the important role of public speaking in the program. “Learning to convey their ideas and share them articulately is an imperative attribute, particularly when presenting their design concepts to Reston Assocation’s Design Review Board and Public Art Reston’s Public Art Committee,” he says.
“The SLHS STEAM Public Art Club affords students many opportunities to participate and collaborate with their community,” Rando elaborates, “having the STEAM Team participate in this community discussion both as presenters and audience members cultivates their understanding of being an integral voice within society.”
Join Rando and STEAM Team members for a lively presentation. In addition to hearing about their past artworks, the audience will be treated to a sneak peek at their 2023 designs for “Rise”, the 9th public art project the STEAM Team is creating for the Lake Thoreau spillway. Reston Museum board member, Caren Anton, will facilitate the discussion and lead a post-presentation Q & A. Come learn what the SLHS STEAM Team is all about and how Reston inspires them.
Including the SLHS STEAM team in the 2022-2023 Reston Museum speaker series aligns with Public Art Reston’s commitment to raising awareness about the role of public art in the community. This event also furthers the organization’s mission to be a catalyst for public art that inspires, engages, and connects. A 501©(3) non-profit, Public Art Reston documents existing public art, commissions new public artworks and supports the creation of works by other community stakeholders. Over the past 14 years, its work has been guided by a Public Art Master Plan for Reston, adopted in 2008. For more information about Public Art Reston’s projects and programs, please visit www.publicartreston.org
Reston Museum is dedicated to preserving Reston’s past, informing the present, and influencing the future of Reston. Our youth is our future, and we are excited to see what it looks like in the eyes of our SLHS STEAM team. Hosting the team as a featured speaker is a welcomed part of Reston Museum’s educational and public programming, and exhibitions. Located at Lake Anne Plaza, Reston Museum preserves a collection of archival material and artifacts related to the history of Reston. Reston Museum also hosts a slew of annual events including the Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta, the Reston Home Tour, and Founder’s Day. For more information, please visit www.restonmuseum.org
