Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art (Tephra ICA) announces that the Tephra ICA Arts Festival, formerly titled the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, will take place on May 20–21, 2023 in Reston, Virginia. Over 200 contemporary artists and artisans will travel from across the country to present original handmade artwork to share with Festival audiences.
As a signature fundraiser for Tephra ICA, the annual event attracts tens-of-thousands of people to the unique, outdoor environment of Reston Town Center. This year, more than 200 artists will travel from 33 states across the US and Canada to exhibit and sell their work in Reston.
“This community event is an incredible opportunity to have direct contact with great contemporary artists and artisans. One doesn’t often get a chance to meet the artist while looking at their work, and that’s what this event is all about,” reflects Associate Curator and Festival Director, Hannah Barco. “Then when you decide to bring that work home, you’re not just making a purchase, you’re continuing a relationship with that artist.”
The Festival is known for providing intimate, one-on-one experiences with artists, including the Saturday evening Festival Cocktail Hour and Artist Award Ceremony and site-specific performances taking place throughout the weekend. This year, Hoesy Corona, a Baltimore-based Queer Latinx artist will perform a site-specific artwork which creates a new framework for understanding the position of the immigrant as deeply optimistic and full of hope. This performance is generously presented by Reston Community Center.
“There is something for everyone at the Tephra ICA Arts Festival. Artwork in more than 10 mediums, live performances, family friendly art activities, and more. This year, we’re thrilled for the addition of a free, public concert, presented by Reston Town Center Association (RTCA), as the launch of their summer Reston Concerts on the Town series. The concert will take place on Saturday evening, and we look forward to welcoming new audiences to the event,” states Jaynelle Hazard, Executive Director and Curator of Tephra ICA. “In addition to RTCA, this event would not be possible without the continued support from our Board of Directors, the participating artists, and our Festival sponsors – notably, Peraton, Reston Town Center Association, Reston Community Center, Boston Properties, The M Group Architects, Lerner, Microsoft, Signature, and The Hyatt.
To learn more about the event, please visit https://www.tephraica.org/festival.
Schedule of Events
Saturday, May 20
Come for the Festival and stay for the concert!
- Artist Booths: 10AM–6PM
- Family Art Park: 10AM–4PM | Sponsored by Microsoft
- Hoesy Corona Performances: 1PM & 4PM | Presented by Reston Community Center
- Festival Cocktail Hour and Award Ceremony: 6:30PM | Sponsored by the Hyatt
- Reston Concerts on the Town: Dance Candy! 7:30PM | Presented by Reston Town Center Association
Sunday, May 21
- Artist Booths: 10AM–6PM
- Family Art Park: 10AM–4PM
- Hoesy Corona Performances: 1PM & 4PM
Pictured at top: Rendering of Festival performance by Hoesy Corona Image courtesy of the artist.
About Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art (Tephra ICA)
Tephra ICA is a non-profit, non-collecting institution committed to promoting innovative contemporary art and thinking. Leading with curiosity and care, the organization is a catalyst, generator, and advocate for visual arts.
Tephra ICA is supported in part by ArtsFairfax, Reston Community Center, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts.
Tephra ICA is free and open to the public Wednesday–Saturday, 11am–5pm. Saturdays are open by appointment only. Appointments can be made here.
Tephra ICA
2001 Market St #103
Reston, VA
