April 9, 2022 | 12 pm to 4 pm
Join Reston Museum for the annual Founder’s Day celebration on Saturday, April 9, 2022 from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Lake Anne Plaza. This year we celebrate founder Robert E. Simon, Jr. and the 100th birthday anniversary of Reston’s original public artist, Uruguayan-born Gonzalo Fonseca. Fonseca created many of the beloved play sculptures around Lake Anne. He is also an internationally recognized artist, world traveler and was polylingual. This year’s event celebrates Fonseca, his Reston public art and his love of languages all while honoring Reston’s founding with a full slate of performances and family-friendly activities.
The celebration will kick off with a performance at 12:00 pm by the Latin Grammy-award winning and Grammy nominated duo and bi-lingual performers 123 Andrés. Following remarks by our local representatives, attendees are invited to gather in Reston Community Center’s Jo Ann Rose Gallery for a multilingual birthday celebration. A cake inspired by Fonseca’s Sun Boat will be served while native speakers of various languages teach attendees how to say a few birthday-themed phrases. A film series will also run in the gallery throughout the day celebrating Fonseca and Lake Anne.
Prior to Founder’s Day, everyone is invited to pick up a free wooden toy boat at the Reston Museum to decorate and enter into a Fan Favorite contest on April 9th between 2 and 3 pm. The winner will receive a special prize. A winner will be announced at 3 pm.
At 1:00 pm the newest book about Reston Community is what it is all about an ode to Lake Anne can be purchased and signed by the author Cheryl Terio-Simon in the Jo Ann Rose Gallery.
Throughout the day attendees can participate in children’s art activities offered outside Reston Art Gallery & Studios, listen to musical entertainment by local artists, and enjoy exhibits at Reston Museum and the Reston Community Center’s Jo Ann Rose Gallery. At Reston Museum attendees can learn more about Gonzalo Fonseca and his Lake Anne artwork by viewing an exhibit of related artifacts and pick up a free self-guided tour booklet to learn more about Fonseca’s Lake Anne artwork. In the Jo Ann Rose Gallery, attendees can also view the exhibit Founder’s Day at Lake Anne by the League of Reston Artists.
Founder’s Day is presented by Reston Museum with support from Reston Community Center and co-sponsored by Public Art Reston and hosted by Lake Anne Plaza.
About Reston Museum
Reston Museum is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to preserving Reston’s past, informing the present, and influencing the future of Reston. Reston Museum preserves a collection of archival material and artifacts related to the history of Reston, many of which are exhibited at the Reston Museum. Located at Lake Anne Plaza, Reston Museum is open Tuesday through Saturday free of charge. Reston Museum also conducts educational and public programming, exhibitions, and public events including the Lake Anne Cardboard Boat Regatta, the Reston Home Tour, and Founder’s Day. For more information, please visit www.restonmuseum.org
