Arlington Arts Center
Partner Spotlight
Stephanie Fedor, Director
The Arlington Art Center, located on Wilson Boulevard near Virginia Square Metro Station, is a private non-profit organization that promotes the arts through regional artists' exhibitions, art classes for all ages, and studio space for resident artists. For nearly forty years, this contemporary arts center has been a significant resource for the Mid-Atlantic region.
Stephanie Fedor, Director of the Arlington Art Center feels that, "One of our greatest assets is that we're so accessible to public transportation options. We can see the Metro [Virginia Square] and a Capital Bikeshare station from our window. There is an ART bus stop in front of our entrance, and the area is highly walkable."
A current exhibition highlights the work of Barbara Bernstein. The exhibit, Connections, features the artistic development of the bus shelters for the Crystal City and Potomac Yard transit-way. "How does an artist approach this kind of public art project?" asks Fedor. "We wanted to show our community the creative process for a project of this size and scale."
The Center also recently opened its biennial exhibition, Options 2013, which runs from April 10 through June 9, 2013, and features works from a number of emerging and unrepresented Virginia, DC and Maryland artists. The next exhibit to open in June, Green Acres, will be a community showcase demonstrating agriculture as an art medium. The exhibit will transform the entire Center, both indoors and outdoors, into a pasture of artistic garden space, complete with a whimsical gourd installment that is sure to delight the public.
Fedor credits easy accessibility and the availability of public transportation to the ability for the Center to host large crowds. "We have 25 parking spots," she says. "We couldn't possibly bear the volume of vehicles if everyone drove to our events."
Fedor notes there is terrific support, both internally and from the public, for utilizing alternative transportation. Resident artists and staff are dedicated bicyclists and make good use of a recently installed bike rack. Many Center donors walk to meetings and events. And those planning to visit frequently call first to find out where the nearest ART, Capital Bikeshare or Metro stations are located.
The Arlington Art Center is an integral part of the community and is free and open to the public. "We're a fun and unique space," Fedor says. "Once people walk in and realize that we're here, they really enjoy returning frequently."
Arlington Arts Center
3550 Wilson Blvd.
703.248.6800
Transportation Options