Stories & Testimonials

I live in Reston and reap the artistic benefits of Public Art Reston on a regular basis. Public Art Reston is an important component to making Reston the wonderful place that it is. I fully support this wonderful organization. I have been involved with Public Art Reston in one way or another since it’s inception in 2007 – donor, volunteer, collaborator, and now board member. It is well-run organization. As a former art educator, I appreciate all the educational outreach they do for students and families, often fueling a lifelong interest and appreciation of the arts. It is so wonderful to see the excitement of the community that has participated in a Public Art Reston project.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Virtual Art Tour of Lake Anne. In all the years I have lived here (48 years) in Reston this is the first time I have had the occasion to have someone explain all the architectural objects in and around Lake Anne Center. Most enlightening and especially since the architectural staff of Reston had so much influence on the sculptures and their placement around the Center. I hope you all will keep working on the project and others like it as Reston has so much to share in the Public Art arena.


My students at Hunters Woods Elementary had the pleasure to work with Public Art Reston to create a beautiful mural in the Colts Neck underpass. The students were thrilled to see their artwork be a part of the community and thoroughly enjoyed the instruction of Ben Volta. This was my first year participating in the Public Art Reston project and I can’t say enough great things about this organization. Anne Delaney was professional in every decision that was made and she went out of her way to make sure the students would be involved in this art project with Ben Volta. Exposure to this organization has helped my students appreciate public art in the community of Reston.
Working with Public Art Reston was an amazing experience for my students at Dogwood Elementary. We were so excited when we were asked to participate in the Colts Neck Underpass Project. Through out the process, they arranged thoughtful interactions and activities for us to participate in, and the students were beyond excited to see their work come to life and be apart of a permanent installation in their community. We look forward to continuing to work with Public Art Reston to promote the arts in our area.


One of the best public art programs. Very active with great leadership and strong community involvement. I especially appreciate attention Public Art Reston staff pay to the needs of the artists and support throughout all stages of a project.


Public Art Reston is a wonderful organization that brings the community together through public art. Thanks to Public Art Reston’s mission and vision, Reston is a welcoming place where both locals and visitors can delight in beautiful works of art displayed around the community. From murals, to sculptures, and underpasses, Reston has become a place where art is present everywhere you go. Additionally, Public Art Reston has involved residents and visitors in the creation of artworks, including kids from the local schools as well as families and professional and amateurs artists at its ChalkFest. Working with Public Art Reston has been rewarding at both personal and professional level and I’m proud of being a part of one of the committees.




From the selection process at the beginning and throughout the entire process of the commission, I was very impressed with the way that the executive director of [Public Art Reston] facilitated the public private partnership that was formed in support of my specific project. I believe that the guidance and support of [Public Art Reston] throughout enabled me to create one of the most successful works of public art of my career and the most enthusiastically welcomed of all.
In addition to logistical support, [Public Art Reston] was amazing in connecting me to the Reston community at all stages. I was truly inspired through the understanding that I gained of Reston’s history and culture and the sculpture reflects that inspiration. My relationship with the Reston community has continued in quite wonderful ways. I had a great conversation with students from South Lake High School in the midst of their process of creating their sculpture “Nothing Twice” recently unveiled at the Lake Thoreau Spillway. Also, [Public Art Reston] facilitated my participation when the Reston Community Center commissioned two dance companies to choreograph and perform dances inspired by my sculpture, “Reston Rondo” as part of the Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival. I conceived of the sculpture to be interactive; the dancers’ performances were magical and embodied a wonderful intersection of the arts as forms of human expression.
Beyond my association as an artist with [Public Art Reston], I have some depth of experience with arts non-profits as a former member of the Maryland State Arts Council, a trustee of Maryland Citizens for the Arts (MCA), the founder and a trustee of Arts Education in Maryland Schools (AEMS) Alliance and Co-Chair of the Governor’s Task Force on Arts Education in Maryland Schools which engaged many non-profit arts institutions in its work. Based on this experience as well, I strongly recommend IPAR as an exemplary non-profit organization.


