Summer at the Workhouse

As we look forward to the cooler weather, school starting and the excitement of a new season, we reflect on the exciting and busy summer we had here at the Workhouse. From Fireworks to outdoor yoga to Children’s theater to Urban Decay, there was always something fun happening at the Workhouse.

At the first sign of warmer weather, the Workhouse Farmers Market returned this spring with locally grown fruits and vegetables, meats and poultry, breads and cheeses as well as BBQ and kettle corn. Our Art of Movement program offered free Yoga on the Quad during the first two Saturdays of the month during June, July and August. Participants were able to start off their weekend right at 8am under the Rizer Pavilion. The Workhouse was selected again this year to host the weekly Mount Vernon Nights Summer Concert Series.  Each Saturday evening in the summer, guests enjoyed free live performances showcasing a variety of music from Celtic to Pop/Rock to Gypsy. If you attended Mount Vernon Nights during a 2nd Saturday Art Walk, you were able to do it all!  Browse the galleries until 9pm, indulge in food from various galleries, all while listening to live music. Throughout June and July, the edgy Urban Decay 4 exhibition was on display.  The opening exhibition reception featured a customized graffiti wall, amazing art and musical performances from DJs and bands.

The Summer Art Party on the Quad was a hit with creative activities, such as kite and visor making. Guests learned healthy tips and ways to exercise, interesting scientific facts and the history of the museum. The art party also gave guests the opportunity to enjoy the art galleries while spending time with their family and friends.

Opening on the same day as the Summer Art Party on the Quad, the 360 Degrees of Post-Traumatic Stress exhibit opened.  This fascinating exhibit featured art by war veterans.  These veterans suffer from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and are patients from Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Fort Belvoir Community Hospital and members of the Combat Paper Project.  This exhibit featured sculptures, photography and handmade paper, among other mediums, that gave visitors insight into the healing process.

The W-3 Workhouse Theatre presented numerous performances from Cabaret Series: Broadway Showdown: Classic vs. Contemporary to Peter Pan and Captain Hook in the Fairies' Land. These performances were entertaining to both children and adults. We also hosted a variety of stand-up comedy nights presented by Cool Cow Comedy and Cecil Ray Comedy Club. On July 20, we hosted the Clifton Film Festival, one of the only local film festivals in the area.

On July 6, we lit up the sky with our extremely popular fireworks show. It was an amazing display of art in the sky and it drew thousands of spectators.

The Workhouse Arts Center Ceramics Program hosted their Annual Ice Cream Social Fundraiser.  Guests purchased original, handmade ceramic bowls created by our artists and ceramic students and then filled them with free ice cream and toppings.

With all of these fun and interesting events, there’s always something going on at the Workhouse! Thank you to all of you who participated in our summer events.  Please continue to visit us throughout the year with your family and friends to talk with our artists, take a class and enjoy our unique and distinctive arts center. Look forward to seeing you this Fall!

THIS WEEK AT THE WORKHOUSE

• 3rd Annual Workhouse Clay National 2013, July 31-September 8, McGuireWoods Gallery.
• Inner Librare, August 24-October 6, Vulcan Gallery.
• Free Hula on the Quad, August 31 at 8am on the Workhouse Quad.
• FAME: The Musical, August 29, 30, 31 at 7:30pm, W-3 Theatre.
• Workhouse Farmers Market, Thursday 3-7pm, Workhouse Quad.
• Mount Vernon Nights, Saturday at 7pm, Workhouse Quad.
• August Exhibitions in all seven studio buildings, Vulcan Gallery.

Stop by and visit us! 

The Workhouse is open Wednesday – Saturday from 11am – 7pm and Sundays from 12 – 5pm.  The Workhouse Prison Museum is open Wednesday – Friday from 12 – 3pm and Saturday – Sunday from 12 – 4pm.  Visit www.WorkhouseArts.org for more information, to purchase tickets or to register for classes.