Artists from as far as Carlisle, Pennsylvania,  join local area artists to compete in the 4th Annual Plein Air Competition this Saturday, June 22nd at 11 a.m. at ArtSpace Falls Church, 410 S. Maple Avenue in the City of Falls Church. The public is invited to attend this free event and vote for their favorite “Scene in the City” painting to win The People’s Choice Award.  Free refreshments will be served.

The Plein Air Festival (Plein Air means painting outside) runs for weeks to allow artists an opportunity to participate  – given their busy work, travel and family schedules.  All participants have their painted entries ready on Saturday.  ArtSpace is filled with the artists particular choice of a favorite or special “Scene in the City” of Falls Church – homes, businesses, parks, and more are represented in many styles and skill levels.  The contest is open to all.  Artists, art-lovers and the curious come and share brunch which begins at 11 a.m. and awards will be announced and presented at 12 noon.  Please come in time to vote for your favorite “Scene in The City”  for the coveted ” People’s Choice Award” .

The first 50 attendees will also receive a coupon for free 5 ou. Zinga Frozen Yogurt or $5 off ! The new Zinga location in Falls Church just opened at the West  Falls Plaza  Shopping Center, 1106-A W. Broad, near Staples and next to Domino’s Pizza!  Come vote and get your free yogurt coupon – 5 ounces free or $5 off – for this tasty summer treat!

“Pigeon Pals” by Carolyn Grosse’ Gawarecki

This year’s Competition will be judged by Carolyn Grosse Gawarecki who is a nationally recognized artist whose paintings are in museums, as well as corporate and private collections.

She is the founder and first president of the Potomac Valley Watercolorists, Carolyn is also a signature member of the National Watercolor Society, Knickerbocker Artists, Virginia Watercolor Society, Southern Watercolor Society, Baltimore Watercolor Society, and the Washington Watercolor Society. Carolyn is listed in Who’s Who in America, The World Who’s Who of Women and Who’s Who of the South and Southwest.  See more of her work and information on her life as a painter…..and the Fourth Annual Falls Church Plein Air Festival by clicking the link below.

FCAPAF Juror announced, Virginia Artist Carolyn Grossé Gawarecki

Plein Air Sponsors include Falls Church Arts who produces this event annually and prime FCA sponsor Don Beyer Volvo – Kia (June and Mike Beyer), Tori McKinney – Rock Star  Realtor, Zinga Frozen Yogurt of Falls Church, and Plaza Arts of Fairfax, VA.

Yellow House by Carolyn Grosse’ Gawarecki

FCAPAF Juror announced, Virginia Artist Carolyn Grossé Gawarecki

“DECAVENT” All-Members Art Show Open thru April 28

By Barb Cram
April 5, 2013

After days of preparation and painting, moving walls, added lighting,  cleaning and painting floors and platforms, and the help of dozens of volunteers, Falls Church Arts will be ready to greet the public at ArtSpace Falls Church at 7 pm Friday, April 5.  Free admission and food with cash bar will greet the guests at 410 South Maple Avenue.

DECAVENT, a new word  invented by Cathy Kaye, the show’s curator, was created to describe this special 10 year event – ten years of creativity and art in the City of Falls Church.  Falls Church Arts was established in 2003.  More than 50 artists are participating in this All Members Show with a wide variety of media represented, terra cotta sculpture, paintings, etchings, digital media, monotype, wire sculpture, lamp worked beads, linoprint,  foam sculpture, prints, photography, and more cover the inside walls of the newly transformed ArtSpace Falls Church. Read more

Final weekend for ECO-ART at ArtSpace Falls Church

 

GMU Professor Olivier Giron, on right with students

In a recent Falls Church Arts interview Giron explained his experience with Falls Church Arts ECO-ART show:

” When I was asked to jury the Falls Church Arts at ArtSpace Eco-Art exhibit, I was thrilled to participate. I am continuously inspired by the way eco-art practice utilizes methods from a wide spectrum of arts, sciences, and creative approaches in pursuit of a sustainable planet.   The environmental issues we face, are largely the product of our culture, and require ecologically conscious cultural responses.   Artists can offer intellectually and emotionally engaging models for pursuing alternative relationships with our social, political and ecological systems.”

Giron continued ” All of the artists in the show showed tremendous creativity in finding where their voice fits into this larger conversation. Figuring out how you want to communicate your ideas can be just as difficult as working with the materials themselves. I was engaged by the variety of ways in which the participants were exploring these ideas in their own work.”

When asked which Eco-Art submissions he preferred Giron said, “The pieces that stood out to me the most were those that were exploring the concepts behind their work and blending their ideas with the materials they were working with. The ability to reuse and recycle materials provides its own challenges, as we give new life to objects that have outlived their purpose and transform them into fresh ideas. What if we don’t stop there, and instead, use our chosen mediums to ask questions about our surroundings in pursuit of more sustainable lives?   It was refreshing to see several of the artists entries exploring these questions as they pose questions of their own.”The final weekend Gallery Hours of the ECO ART Show :Saturday..1 pm – 2 pm and after 3:30 to closing and in the evening 6:30 pm – 7:30 pm and after 9 pm to closing. Sunday….1 pm – 2 pm and after 3:30 to closing.

All-Members Show, Falls Church Arts at ArtSpace Falls Church

All-Members Show, Falls Church Arts at ArtSpace Falls Church COMING IN APRIL – Falls Church Arts new show THE 10th ANNUAL ALL MEMBER SHOW will fill the entire wall space of ArtSpace Falls Church – DECAVENT,  Celebrating 10 years of Art in Falls Church. The DECAVENT grand opening Gala will be FRIDAY, April 5 beginning at 7 pm. Open to the public at no charge, free refreshments will also be served.  Come enjoy the best of Falls Church Arts artists!  SAVE THE DATE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

EDIBLE ART  – a show within a show – will be a held on April 25th.  Winners will be announced at 8 pm and then guests will eat !

ECO ART opens Thursday, March 7 at 7 pm with presentation by Olivier Giron

The Falls Church Arts ECO ART SHOW juried by OLIVIER GIRON (www.oliviergiron.com) highlights the current of socially engaged art.  The art show is about more than the art on the walls and is designed to raise social consciousness and activism.

This Thursday, Falls Church Arts  will have a special program highlighting environmental issues with a presentation by Olivier Giron  at 7:30 pm.  Olivier’s environmental design training influences his artistic pursuits – pushing and promotion environmental consciousness.  Giron’s work has been highlighted on Voice of America, and ABC News Channel WJLA ( to see these videos go to www.oliviergiron.com/news.html.

 

"Phytoremediation" ECO ART by Olivier Giron currently showing at ART MUSEUM OF THE AMERICAS.

Area visiting artists, William Nell and Karen Spiering are featured as well as works by others include GMHS IB Art Teacher, Marc Robarge. Falls Church Art artists, Jacqlyn Sickler, Paul Levy, John Maier, Shaun VanSteyn, Robert Davidson, Teddy Wiant,  Jennifer Branigan, Antonella Manganelli, Gregory Bryant, Llori Stein,  Jolanta Noska, Victoria Lakes present different visions of their art utilizing trash, elements of our environment,  and photography to create awareness, organic beauty, and visually stimulate consciousness.

All are invited to this free event.  Refreshments will be served.  Program is scheduled to begin at 7:30 pm in the performance area of ArtSpace Falls Church.  Please come, see, learn and be stimulated by this art activist – Olivier Giron, and our many participating artists.

 

 

Photo segment of Artist Marc Robarge sculpture “Family Tree” in ECO ART

Made from wood with crow eyes in Tripps Run Streambed by ARTIST TEDDY WIANT

"Plastic Torso" by eco artist, Jen Driggers

Read more

150 years later – Watch Night Falls Church

Watch Night Celebration; 150^th Anniversary of The Emancipation Proclamation

Join the Watch Night New Year’s Eve Celebration Committee, Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, the Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee, The Falls Church Episcopal and the City of Falls Church in a celebration to honor the 150^th Anniversary of the Emancipation  Proclamation.

In 1862, just six miles from Falls Church, the Emancipation Proclamation was penned by President Abraham Lincoln at his cottage in Washington, D.C.  This important document was partly a bold military measure during the Civil War and presented the first crucial step in the long path to freedom for enslaved people in the United States.  The document was anticipated to take effect on New Year’s Day of 1863.  On New Year’s Eve, 1862 many gathered to pray, discuss and contemplate the meaning of this document on what became known as “Watch Night” or “Freedom’s Eve”.  Enslaved and free men and women of color lived and worked in the Village of Falls Church, and they also eagerly anticipated Lincoln’s document.  Abolitionists and Union sympathizers of diverse religious backgrounds were also very likely among those excited about the Emancipation Proclamation.

Program 7 pm – 8 pm, Monday, December 31, 2012 at the Historic Falls Church

Historic Tours of the Church will be conducted from 6 pm until 7 pm prior to the program.

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Musical selections by Second Baptist Church Choir of Falls Church, VA.  “Battle Hymn of the Republic”

Welcome …..David Snyder, Vice Mayor, City of Falls Church

Brief overview-historical context of the period by David Snyder-Vice Mayor City of Falls Church, and member Falls Church Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee and Edwin B. Henderson-Vice Chairman, Falls Church Historical Commission, President and Founder of the Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation

The program will include musical selections by the dynamic choir of Second Baptist Church, directed by Rev. Kevin Thompson.  Second Baptist was founded in the Village of Falls Church in 1870.

Vignettes, Watch Night, Falls Church, December 31, 1862

Harriet Brice, a free woman of color, Frederick Foote, Jr., an enslaved man, Eliza Honesty, a free woman of color, John Read, abolitionist, lay preacher, Ellen Scipio, an enslaved woman, Harriett Foote Turner, a free woman

Costumed Interpreters

Ron Anzalone, Chairman, Falls Church Historical Commission, Falls Church Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee member

Marion Dobbins, professional historic interpreter specializing in 18^th and 19^th century African American life

Edwin B. Henderson, II, Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation President

Nikki Graves Henderson, Executive Director Tinner Hill Heritage Foundation, Co-chair FC Humanities Council, CATCH, Member FC Civil War Sesquicentennial Committee

Inga Watkins, J.D., Tinner Hill Advisory Board

Following the program presentation, guests are invited to enjoy Hot Chocolate and a warm fire outside.

Thank you for joining us in this celebration of freedom.

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