Tag: arts
Artists have space to work at Studios @ 307
Here’s an idea for repurposing underutilized office buildings in Mason District – convert them into art studios, like Studios @ 307 in Falls Church. Studios @ 307 is located in a two-story former office building at 307 E. Annandale Road. It houses 18 art studios and a handful of art-adjacent small businesses, says Tom Gittins, … Continued
AHS music teacher brings home a Grammy
“It was a whirlwind,” says Annandale High School orchestra director Annie Ray of her time in Los Angeles at the Grammys to accept the 2024 Music Educator of the Year Award. “It was unbelievable. It was so cool to see what goes on behind the scenes,” Ray told Annandale Today. She met a slew of … Continued
Jimenez forms an arts advisory committee
Mason Supervisor Andres Jimenez established a Mason Arts Advisory Committee to review Fairfax County’s Master Arts Plan and propose art-related activities in Mason District that align with that plan. The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors approved the Master Arts Plan for Facilities in 2023 to expand community access to and engagement in arts and culture. The … Continued
Annandale teacher Annie Ray wins a Grammy
Annandale orchestra director Annie Ray won the 2024 Grammy Music Educator Award. The announcement was made to the nation Feb. 1 on CBS Mornings with Gayle King, Tony Dokoupil and Nate Burleson. Ray will travel to the Grammy ceremony in Los Angeles on Feb. 4 to officially receive the honor. Many of Ray’s students and … Continued
TJ students find deeper meanings in ‘The SpongeBob Musical’
Thomas Jefferson High School for Science and Technology invites the community to see “The SpongeBob Musical.” Performances are scheduled for Feb. 2, 3, 9, and 10 at 7 p.m. and Feb. 3 and 10 at 2 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at tjtheaterarts.com or at the door. By Asha Das and Sohana Bahl Get ready … Continued
Artists sought for mural project
The Fairfax County Community Revitalization Section invites artists to apply for a new murals program. “Paint It, Fairfax!” is aimed at building a database of talented artists interested in creating community-focused public art in the county’s eight commercial revitalization areas. That includes the Annandale Commercial Revitalization District, the Bailey’s Crossroads and Seven Corners Commercial Revitalization … Continued
Supervisor Jimenez wants to make Mason District a cultural hub
Andres Jimenez, Mason District’s new member of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, wants to make Mason District “the cultural hub of Fairfax County.” “Mason District is one of the most diverse districts in the county, and we really want to put a spotlight on the small businesses that are here, the restaurants that are … Continued
New project will bring art to the daily life of Annandale
The “Art in Daily Spaces” initiative invites 10 local artists to showcase their Pop Art creations in commercial spaces throughout Annandale. The artworks will be displayed in such places as restaurants, coffee shops, stores, hair salons, laundromats, or office lobbies. “The goal is to seamlessly integrate art into people’s everyday environments,” states an announcement … Continued
Asian American Community Center focuses on volunteering, cultural heritage
When people in the community are facing food insecurity, the Asian American Community Center steps up to fill the need. Thuy Nguyen has been volunteering to provide food for homeless shelters for the past 10 years. She founded the Annandale-based AACC in 2020 to expand those efforts as so many peoples’ lives were upended by … Continued
First Hike photo contest set for Jan. 1
The Fairfax County Park Authority is bringing back its First Hike photo competition on New Year’s Day. To enter, take a walk through any Park Authority park or trail, take a photo, and submit it online by Tuesday, Jan. 2, for a chance to win a prize. The prizes, sponsored by the Park Foundation, include … Continued
Local artists and residents gather in Annandale for Artopolis
Dozens of local residents and art enthusiasts gathered at Beanetics Coffee Roasters in Annandale Dec. 7 for the first day of Artopolis. This free event featured paintings, conversations with the artists, and music by the Parklawn Ramblers. Artopolis continues tonight and Saturday, 6-9 p.m., with a different group of artists each evening. Beanetics is located … Continued
NoVA Lights Chorale invites new members
Like many choral groups in the area, NoVA Lights Chorale suffered during the Covid pandemic and is now seeking new members to rebuild to pre-pandemic levels. NoVA Lights Chorale is an amateur chorus that accepts anyone who wants to sing. There are no auditions and no charge to join. Concerts are free, too. The group … Continued
Artopolis, Dec. 7-9, features artworks and artists at Beanetics
With one week to go, plans for Artopolis, Annandale’s first arts pop-up, are firmly in place. Running for three nights – Dec. 7-9 – Artopolis will bring a group of 14 local artists together to share their most recent work with the community. The free event will happen at Beanetics Coffee Roasters at 7028 Columbia … Continued
Beanetics to host an art gathering next month
Artopolis, a three-day art-focused community event, is bringing artworks and live music to Annandale next month. The free event is scheduled for 6-9 p.m. on Dec. 7, 8, and 9 at Beanetics Coffee Roasters at 7028 Columbia Pike. Artopolis is aimed at building an artistic community in Annandale, generating enthusiasm for the participating artists, and … Continued
School news roundup
The following news items feature schools in the Annandale/Mason District area. Science star – Heman Bekele, a ninth grader at W.T. Woodson High School, was named the 2023 winner of the 3M Young Scientist Challenge. Heman, age 14, created compound-based Skin Cancer Treating Soap, an affordable soap solution that could improve skin cancer outcomes. Over the next five … Continued