On October 7, 2018 McLean Central Park came alive once again as MPAartfest, now in its 12th year, offered something for guests of all ages. Selected by Sunshine Artist Magazine as one of the Top 100 Fine Art and Design Shows in the USA, the festival featured the work of nearly 40 selected artists, creative interactive experiences, new food vendors, expanded musical offerings and more.
A one-day juried fine art show and sale, MPAartfest featured the work of visual artists showcasing a wide variety of media and styles—from painting to woodturning, jewelry, contemporary ironwork, and more. McLean Central Park transformed into a lively landscape of mini art galleries showcasing and offering for sale the work of acclaimed artists from the Mid-Atlantic region and beyond. Along with the artists’ tents and food from local restaurants, MPAartfest featuredthe best of DC’s musical artists performing in all genres, from jazz to world-music and beyond. MPAartfest also offered a variety of arts and STEAM (STEM+Art) activities to engage creative minds and captivate art-lovers of all ages.
Building on the success of last year’s diverse musical offerings, MPAartfest offered a full day of lively and varied musical performances featuring everything from Go Go and jazz to world-music and a 15-piece big band. This year’s performers include Project Locrea, Cecily, The Dave Kline Band, The JoGo Project, Rose Moraes, Little Red & The Renegades, and Blues Alley Youth Jazz Orchestra.
MPA’s STEAM Village was filled with a variety of STEAM (STEM+Art)-based learning stations dedicated to involving guests in Art+Engineering, Art+Math, Art+Architecture, Art+Nature and Art+Sound activities. Other art highlights include the Children’s ArtWalk, an awe-inspiring open-air gallery displaying teacher-selected artwork from students representing local public and private elementary schools. And teens and adults in attendance were invited to sketch live models in MPA’s Open Air Art Studio.
On the food front, MPAartfest 2018 featured the much-loved Café Beret, where guests enjoyed wine and beer provided by The Wine Outlet. The event also offered food from a variety of eateries, including Taco Bamba, Rocklands Barbeque and Grilling Company, Assaggi Osteria and Pizzeria, Red Hook Lobster Pound, Big Cheese, Sweetbites Café and Bakery, Crepe Love, and Zinga Frozen Yogurt.
MPA is grateful to the many long-standing and new sponsors who support this community-wide celebration of the visual arts: MPA’s lead community sponsor the McLean Community Center, event co-sponsors Fairfax County Park Authority and TD Bank, along with committed members of our community including TTR Sotheby’s International Realty, COMPASS Realty, Freedom Bank, BOWA, The Langley School, Deirdre Maull Orthodontics, McLean Community Foundation, McLean Properties, Kathleen Murphy, Nancy & Steve Perry, Debbie & Leo Jardot, Montessori School of McLean, Vinson Hall Retirement Community, Crushed Cellars, Fairfax Woman Magazine, and additional supporters including: ARTSFAIRFAX, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and The National Endowment for the Arts.
