Category: Art

Art

Summer JumpstART Programs Develop Young Artists

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date May 2, 2018

Creative teenagers will get an intense artistic workout at the JumpstART Advanced Summer Art Studios, directed by Mason Professor Dr. Justin Sutters, including 2-D art and 3-D art concentrations.

Whether you are a high school student considering the pursuit of an art major at college, or simply a young artist who would like to develop your skills to a higher level, these week-long intensives are your chance to expand your horizons. The JumpstART Advanced 2-D Art Studio, July 23-27, will focus on printmaking and mixed-media projects. The JumpstART Advanced 3-D Art Studio, July 30-August 3, will concentrate on construction and material manipulation.

Summer art program for teens

JumpstART director and curriculum developer Dr. Justin Sutters is the Director of the Master of Arts in Education program at Mason’s School of Art, and also has extensive background in the high school classroom setting. Special advantages of having these summer studios at Mason include:

The opportunity to use materials and equipment that are often not accessible in public school classrooms
A visit to the Special Collections unit at the Library to view artists’ books
A long history and culture of artistic excellence and expression at Mason’s School of Art
The “feel” and experience of being a college art student in Mason’s Art & Design Building

“Watching the friendships grow between the students in the class as they get to know each other through their artmaking is one of my favorite aspects of the program,” stated Dr. Sutters. “The final sharing of their work at the student showcase at the end of the week is a wonderful celebration of their development as an artist.”

Printmaking program for teens

With highly structured daily activities culminating in a final presentation of finished works, the JumpstART program will provide students with valuable additions to their personal portfolios, which can also be used for college applications. While students can sign up for the 2-D week or the 3-D week individually, for those who are serious about applying to higher education art programs, it is highly recommended to register for both weeks.

GET DETAILS AND REGISTER TODAY!

Art Community Outreach

Elementary Students On Campus For Art Class

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date April 13, 2018

For the past several years, the Academy has worked with Hunters Woods Elementary School in Reston, VA to provide enriching arts experiences for under served students, titled “Saturday School for the Arts”. This year’s program included a special trip to the Mason Fairfax Campus for an art class in the School of Art.

On February 10th, approximately 40 students, plus teacher and parent chaperones, from Hunters Woods came to campus to meet Dr. Justin Sutters, Mason School of Art Professor of Art Education (and Art Liaison to the Academy), and his select team of Art Education majors. Eager students tried a variety of printing techniques to create original art works and had a great time interacting with the university students. For the Art Education majors, it was an energetic and eye-opening opportunity to gain insights into teaching art to young people in a classroom setting.

Community outreach art class

The Saturday School for the Arts at Hunters Woods is one of several community outreach initiatives of the Academy, whose mission includes providing access to quality arts education and experiences to all members of the community, regardless of circumstance. Our ability to sustain these important programs is dependent in part on support from generous individuals like you. Please consider making a tax-deductible gift today!

REASONS TO GIVE

Acting Art Community Outreach Events Music

Spotlight On The Arts Festival Events, Sunday, April 29th

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date April 13, 2018

Every spring, Fairfax City hosts their Spotlight on the Arts festival, and the Academy will once again take part by presenting a special student/ faculty music recital, a student playwright presentation and a theater show on April 29th, plus a student art show on April 28th. “Upgrade” your weekend and enjoy the show!

Music faculty performing at recital

SPOTLIGHT MUSIC RECITAL
Sunday, April 29, 2018 2PM-4PM
Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax See Map
Free Admission

Select Academy music students and faculty will perform a charming collection of chamber, duet and solo pieces “spotlighting” a variety of genres and instruments. This is a great opportunity to hear unique works and musical arrangements, and to get a taste of the outstanding music education that the Academy has to offer to the community.

Light refreshments will be served following the program. Call 703-993-9889 with any questions.

Student playwright festival

AFYP STUDENT PLAYWRIGHT FESTIVAL
Sunday, April 29, 2018 11AM-1PM
Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax See Map
Free Admission

Acting For Young People (AFYP) presents it’s first ever Student Playwright Festival! Student playwrights will perform their work in a morning of staged readings, featuring professional and student actors. The featured playwrights range from 8-16 years old. Student actors range from 9-14 years old and will be acting alongside professional adult actors.
Act 1: 11am-12pm. Suitable for all ages
Act 2: 12pm-1pm. Contains more mature content

Light refreshments will be served following the program. Call 703-554-4931 with any questions.

Mary Poppins in concert

AFYP THEATER SHOW “MARY POPPINS IN CONCERT”
Sunday, April 29, 2018 6:30PM-8:30PM
Sherwood Community Center in Fairfax See Map
Free Admission

Acting For Young People (AFYP) will present a rousing collection of musical numbers and segments based on their Spring Showcase production of Mary Poppins, Jr. in preparation for their full production performance in early June.

Light refreshments will be served following the program. Call 703-554-4931 with any questions.

Art student exhibit

ART STUDENT EXHIBITS
Saturday, April 28, 2018 11AM & 12:30PM
Art & Design Building, Mason Fairfax Campus See Map
Free Admission (Parking Available in Lot A)

Our visual art students and instructors will finish out the Academy’s Spring session of art classes with a 15 minute (approx.) class presentation and student art exhibit. It’s a great opportunity for curious parents/ children to see what projects and methods are taught in these classes.
Art Adventures Class for Ages 4-7: 11 AM (actual class time 10am-11:15am)
Art Foundations Class for Ages 8-11: 12:30 PM (actual class time 11:30am-12:45pm)
Art Explorations Class for Ages 12-18: 12:30 PM (actual class time 11:30am-12:45pm)

Light refreshments will be served following the program. Call 703-993-9889 with any questions.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE SPOTLIGHT ON THE ARTS FESTIVAL

A very special thanks to City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts for their invaluable support of our programs and mission.

City of Fairfax Commission on the Arts logo

Art Events Film & Video

Off The Wall Event, Saturday, April 21st

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date April 13, 2018

Mark your calendar now to experience Off the Wall, a benefit hosted by Mason’s School of Art, the Computer Game Design program, and Film and Video Studies program, to celebrate and support the visual arts at Mason. Create a mural. Star in a film. Play a virtual game!

WHAT: Off the Wall fundraising benefit
WHEN: Saturday, April 21, 2018 5PM-8PM
WHERE: Art & Design Building, Mason Fairfax Campus See Map
PARKING: Event participants can park in the nearby Parking Lot A
COST: Adults = $40-$60 per person, Minors under 18 = FREE

Your family can experience a diverse array of visual arts by Mason students and faculty. Explore open studios and interactive arts experiences throughout the building. Tour the Mason Mural Project on campus and participate in a mural creation. Enjoy the music, silent auction, food, and drinks – it’s a great party!

Off the Wall benefits Mason student scholarships and the visiting artists program.

LEARN MORE & GET TICKETS

Please note that this event is NOT presented by Mason Community Arts Academy.

Art Community Outreach Events Music

Musical Instrument Sculpture Project Gets Buzz

Post author By Matt Geske
Post date January 26, 2018

WRITTEN BY ZACHARY WILCOX

In 2008, Mason Community Arts Academy (“MCAA”, formerly known as Potomac Arts Academy) started a green initiative and outreach program named “Instruments in the Attic”. This program takes in old & unused musical instruments donated by generous community members with the idea of bringing as many as possible back to working order for deserving students of all ages to enjoy and play for years to come. Since its creation, Instruments in the Attic has brought in over 850 instruments, returning many back to the community for further use… but not all instruments are able to be repaired. One of the primary goals of the program is to keep these instruments out of the landfill, so we needed to find another green solution for these irreparable instruments.

MCAA thought about how to recycle these instruments in a more artistic and meaningful way, which sparked an idea to collaborate with the Patriot Green Fund (part of Mason’s Office of Sustainability) and Mason’s School of Art. We figured that these instruments could be “up-cycled” into sculpture art projects which told a story, powered by a STEAM approach. School of Art Associate Professor Edgar Endress had an even more innovative idea. He invited Dr. Daniel Lofaro from the Volgenau School of Engineering to assist him in constructing an orchestra of automated sound sculptures using new (and old) media technology balanced with influences of 20th century Russian Constructivist art , amongst other styles, forms, and ideas. Special funding from the Patriot Green Fund helped to facilitate this unique undertaking.

Musical Instrument Sculpture

EVENT: Come and see the “Narrative Machine” sculpture prototypes on display
Overall, this is a long-term project involving several steps. However, the fruits of step one are complete! The sculpture prototypes of this data-fueled, artistic adventure are currently on display in Mason’s Center for the Arts Lobby through mid-February.

The exhibit is getting a lot of buzz, with articles already included in the Center for the Arts newsletter and featured on Mason’s newsletter The George, plus an upcoming article in Mason’s Office of Sustainability newsletter. Read the articles below to learn more, and come interact with these instruments – be a part of “The Narrative Machine”!

SEE ARTICLE FROM THE GEORGE

SEE ARTICLE FROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS