Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art (Tephra ICA) announces that the Tephra ICA Festival, formerly the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival, will take place in-person on May 20–22, 2022 in Reston, Virginia, showcasing more than 200 artists presenting original works in fine art and craft.

As a signature fundraiser for Tephra ICA, the annual event attracts approximately 20,000 people to the unique, outdoor environment of Reston Town Center. This year artists will travel from thirty US states and two international locations to exhibit and sell their work in Reston.

“Our excitement is growing in anticipation of this event where we will fill the streets with artwork and people, celebrating the resilience of artistic practice and creating opportunities for visitors to bring artwork home,” said Tephra ICA’s new Associate Curator and Festival Director, Hannah Barco. “Living with a handmade work of art, and one where you have met and spoken with the artist directly, is a profound way to enrich your quality of life and deepen your sense of connection with the larger world.”

The Festival is known for providing intimate, one-on-one experiences with artists; Festival Friday, which makes the event accessible for the area’s many employers; the Saturday night Festival Cocktail Hour with a presentation of Artist Awards; and site-specific performances taking place throughout the weekend.

This year, the headlining performance will be presented by Trisha Brown Dance Company (TBDC), an internationally renowned contemporary dance company dedicated to the performance and preservation of the work of Founding Artistic Director and Choreographer, Trisha Brown. Brown is a founding figure of the American dance movement who challenged the status quo idea of performance, and her work has inspired generations of dance creators. Throughout her career, she collaborated with leaders in music, theatre, and the visual arts – including visual artists Robert Rauschenberg, Donald Judd, and Elizabeth Murray, and musicians Laurie Anderson, John Cage, and Alvin Curran, among others.

TBDC will present Trisha Brown: In Plain Site, a site-specific performance that places special focus on audience engagement, breaks down access barriers, and provides an intimate experience for families and those less familiar with contemporary dance. This performance is presented by Reston Community Center and will take place in Reston Town Square Park on Saturday, May 21 at 1:00pm and 4:00pm and Sunday, May 22 at 11:00am.

“We’re thrilled for the upcoming Festival and look forward to presenting the opportunity to explore a variety of artists and artwork, from sculpture to mixed media to works on paper,” states Jaynelle Hazard, Executive Director and Curator of Tephra ICA. “This event would not be possible without the continued support from our Board of Directors, the participating artists, and our Festival sponsors – notably, Peraton, Reston Town Center Association, Reston Community Center, M Group Architects, Avant and Signature, and Boston Properties.”