Mason Arts 250: Reimagining the Ideas of the American Revolution
By James Albright, chair of the Mason Arts Council
This summer, the Mason District Arts Council is sponsoring a community-wide commemoration of the Declaration of Independence.
The Mason Arts 250 program is aimed at engaging the public through the arts based on the ideas at the heart of the American Revolution.
Artists and community members are collaborating on six activities – involving music, poetry, theater, speech, and visual arts – in June and July. Each project will take as its starting point one of four central American texts: the Declaration of Independence, “The New Colossus,” “America the Beautiful,” and “What to a Slave is the Fourth of July” by Frederick Douglass.
In planning the Mason Arts 250 program, the Mason District Arts Council identified specific art activities that will bring the meaning of those texts to our community.
Some events are site-specific and will take place on a certain day; others will take place over the five weeks of the commemoration.
The council encourages residents to participate in the following events and activities and take part in this spirited commemoration:
Choral concert – The NoVa Lights Chorale will hold a concert with songs focused on the country’s history, beauty, and pursuit of freedom on June 7, 4 p.m., at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bailey’s Crossroads. A reception will follow.
America the Beautiful – A community parent orchestra will present a concert with the theme “America the Beautiful,” along with an “instrument petting zoo” and other activities at John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Annandale at 5 p.m. on June 13.
Community mural – Residents are invited to participate in a community mural project on the theme “The New Colossus” in central Annandale on June 27. The mural will be displayed throughout the month in a prominent location.
The sonnet, “The New Colossus,” written by Emma Lazarus in 1883, is inscribed on a plaque inside the Statue of Liberty. It welcomes immigrants to America with the lines, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
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Poetry contest – Community members will be invited to submit new poetry based on a particular theme in mid-April. There will be a selection process to determine the contest winners, whose work will then be shared online and at some of the Mason Arts 250 events.
One-act plays – Community residents will be asked to submit short one-act plays to be presented at a community event in late June. Details on how to participate will be announced soon.
Wishing tree collaboration – Throughout May and June, residents will be asked to write down their ideas about “What is My America” on ribbons, which will be collected and displayed on a “wishing tree.” Look for the wishing tree box at community events and share your message.
The Mason District Arts Council is composed of artists, art lovers, and organizers with the goal of elevating the arts and culture in our community. The council is excited to invite the public to participate in Mason Arts 250.
Check Annandale Today for updates on each project as the summer approaches. Additional activities may be added in the next couple of months.
Contact [email protected] for more information.