In an area better known for technology, GRACE is the prime jewel in Reston's cultural tapestry…read more Not only does this beautiful art space at the lower end of the Reston Town Center bring the best in cutting edge contemporary art and artists to Reston, but their annual Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival is one of the most respected and best fine arts and crafts outdoor arts festivals in the nation. For that event GRACE brings several hundred artists and craftspeople from all over the nation for a two day art extravaganza in May. This is the perfect family outing for the art lover. The Center also offers all kinds of classes, talks and events designed to bring a powerful art presence to Restonians.

I went to the 2014 Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival in Reston. This is an annual event held…read moreevery year in mid-May. The Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE) sponsors the event. Over 200 artists from around the country participate and set up booths in the Reston Town Center to display and sell their works. The items displayed are very professional and generally very attractive. The items range from traditional to the unusual. However, the items for sale tend to be very expensive. I'd recommend this festival; it is unique and has creative art.

If you care about your art, run (don't walk) to Art Frame Solutions! After considering multiple…read moreframing shops, we walked into this gem and instantly knew we were in the right place. Leslie was juggling another customer when we arrived, but instead of being annoyed, I was fascinated--watching her expertly guide someone through the framing process was like witnessing a masterclass. By the time it was our turn, I had zero doubts we were in great hands. We brought in a gold-on-cowhide Garuda from Thailand and had a vision: two panes of glass with a sleek, minimal frame. Leslie was meticulous, explaining every step, recommending plexiglass over glass, and even hunting down a hard-to-find frame to complete the look. When my husband spotted a small area that needed repair, she reassured us that Omer, the conservator, would handle it with care. Fast forward 1.5 months--Garuda is back, beautifully repaired, mounted, and framed to perfection. They went above and beyond, and we couldn't be happier. Forget those big-box stores with their clueless student workers--if your art matters, Art Frame Solutions is the only place to go!

They did a fantastic job with a very valuable print and I will go back every time I need something…read moreto be framed.

Glenstone has been on my shortlist of cultural places to visit for a while! Everything is so…read morebeautiful and engaging to the senses. From the moment you arrive to the walking path, outdoor installations, and the patios and galleries - it is quite the site to see. The team is gracious and helpful if you have questions or would like to learn more about the art. I went on a weekday midday, and I need to go back to take it all in. It got a little hot in the direct sunlight, though each building had umbrellas, which was super helpful. There was plenty of outdoor seating and spaces to reflect and contemplate and just take it all in. I can't wait to go back with my friends and family. I'd love to make it a regular spot - you can accomplish a lot! Reflection, legit exercise :-) art, appreciation, and a yummy meal all at once. Loved it!

This museum is absolutely worth a visit with both friends and family…read more I booked a 1:30 p.m. Sunday entry and arrived about 20 minutes late without any issues. Crowd levels were manageable when I arrived, with only a brief wait to check in, but it was noticeably busier when I left around 3:00 p.m., with about 10 people waiting in line. The experience includes both indoor and outdoor art, so be prepared for a fair amount of walking, including some uphill sections. Plan on spending 2-3 hours if you want to see everything. I also recommend booking tickets at least a couple of weeks in advance. When I visited, all remaining time slots for the day were sold out. Because of the extreme heat, part of the grounds was closed during my visit. The museum provided white umbrellas for sun protection, which I highly recommend, even if you have a hat and sunglasses and the stamina of a horse. Just note that umbrellas are not permitted inside the pavilions or gallery buildings. One thing that could be improved: I found only one water station, and it dispensed warm water. There are benches throughout the property, but much of the outdoor area is unshaded so on hot days you're unlikely to sit for long. The map provided at check-in was very helpful for navigating the grounds. AC is ample in all the buildings including the food venues. My favorite installations were Alex De Corte's exploration of humor, satire, violence, and tenderness through neon installations in The Pavilions and Faith Ringgold's "Who's Afraid of Aunt Jemima?" You'll have to check them out for yourself to see why!

The Vienna Arts Center hosts exhibits of mostly local artists and also serves as a community…read morecultural center. There's art classes for children and adults as a "Sundays at the Art Center" program. That particular event is fun. And free. Every Sunday, you can go to the center and have free drinks (coffee or a soft drink) and cookies and see whatever exhibit is there that particular week, as well as listen to guest artists talk about their works. There is an exhibit going on here now that I loved! It is called "International Cocktail Collection" and is a series of pastel paintings that incorporate drink glasses (mostly of the martini kind) used in unusual ways.

I have signed on to teach a number of workshops at the Vienna Arts Center, and am hosting three…read moreVisiting Artists who will be teaching master classes. This space is one of the area's best kept secrets. Spacious, professionally run and wonderfully creative atmosphere. Bonnie Fitzgerald, Maverick Mosaics

I went to this place for my birthday in April and we walked in without a reservation. They sat us…read moredown within minutes. We stayed for 2-3 hours decorating our dishes of choice. The customer service was spectacular by the owner and the people who worked there. They were all so kind and willing to help with every question we had. I made the cutest mug and it took about 2-3 weeks for pickup. I liked this place so much that I am coming back at the end of July with a few people from my book club. There was also so many items to pick from and you could also create your own pottery as well, they had classes for that. Definitely check them out via their social media or website and the prices weren't expensive. They also had classes for children and have a lot of options for groups.

Very cute spot for a date! My boyfriend and I went and got matching mugs to paint. It was a very…read morepeaceful place. Seating was rather limited, so I would go early or reserve a spot (which I believe you can do). There is a variety of colors to choose from and have samples to know how the paint will look when fired. Some people have already mentioned it, but I highly recommend doing multiple layers. Our mugs ended up streaky in some spots. The paint dries fairly quickly, so it wasn't too bad applying layers. There were a lot of pottery pieces to choose from. I wish there were more like basic pieces though to have a more blank canvas. The prices were reasonable for each piece! The prices were written on the bottom. The firing process took about a week. My boyfriend and I have been using our mugs almost every day and they have held up well! Paint on mine did chip on the side, but my boyfriend's mug has been completely fine.

Gallery featuring local artists, engaging small-sized art classes. What's not to love about this…read moreplace? I found this place when taking watercolor classes with my family with Rajendra. He is a wonderful teacher with all of us despite the wide range of experience we all had a relaxing, successful experience. Highly recommend for an enjoyable family activity! I included some of the art I painted from photos I've taken. You do one painting per visit - or bring it back next time to continue working on it. He taught us technique and really engaged us to be creative!! We loved it!!

Cyndy's Bottom Line: Falls Church Arts Gallery is a hidden gem in plain sight…read more *Located in The Kensington building on Route 7 *Walk ins welcomed *Free admission *www.FallsChurchArts.org *Studio Art classes and workshops available for all age groups. *Membership available *Volunteer opportunities Outstanding art work by local artist displayed with their concept or process statements. These statements provide a fascinating and intimate look into their art work. Highly recommend a visit.

Tracy was super-helpful, professional and careful in hanging our newest (and largest) metal art…read morepiece, as well as a couple of other pieces in our family room, and provided recommendations throughout the process in how and where to best place our art. We will definitely call again with any hanging/installation needs, and keep Broadway Gallery in mind for help with framing in the future as well.

Caron and her team are ultra talented, creative and most important, very courteous and professional…read morehuman beings. I've been going to them for all my framing needs for the past few years. They complete the look of your art and make it look like a gem. Always recommended, also recommend their installation services. Absolutely brilliant.

If you love movies this is the only place to buy art. They have amazing pieces by the people that…read moreactually work in film and animation. The Star Wars art alone takes my breath away, being a fan since I was child seeing these John Alvin posters, etc take me back to that exact time in my life. If you have not been in you really should go by just check it out. I am sure you will start your own collection after one visit.

After searching online, I found the collector's piece I was looking for. I called the store…read moredirectly to ask a few questions prior to purchasing. Michael, one of the owners, was very professional and followed up with me immediately. I purchased the item with Michael over the phone and he assured me he would take every precaution shipping the item. It arrived today from VA to CA in one piece and it's gorgeous! The customer service was amazing and I can't recommend these guys enough.