Sharing Our Impact
Every day at VisArts, we see how art has the power to turn an ordinary object such as a canvas, a slab of clay, or a sheet of glass, into artwork that is deeply meaningful and beautiful. This transformation often feels like magic.
VisArts is a place where people connect and find community. Through our contemporary art exhibitions, artist residencies, educational programs, and community events, we supply the ingredients, but our artists, students, staff, volunteers, and supporters make the magic.
We’re grateful to you for making our last fiscal year (July 1, 2023 – June 30, 2024) such a success and have highlighted some magical moments so you can see the impact of your generosity.
— Alice Nappy, Executive Director
You Spoke, We Listened!
All year, you shared your stories of transformation with us. Here are just a few anonymous comments from our FY24 Community Survey:
“VisArts has changed my life!”
“VisArts made me feel very
connected to the MoCo arts community.”
“Our son has a lot more confidence in his art since he started classes at VisArts.”
At VisArts, We...
INSPIRED CREATIVITY
What better way to feel inspired than to create art in a professional gallery? In addition to enjoying 25 exhibitions featuring artists from across the globe last year, art lovers had the chance to participate in several demonstrations and artmaking workshops, like this fabric dying event led by contemporary craft artist and former Bresler Resident Megan Koeppel.
– Megan Koeppel, 2024 Bresler Resident Artist
SHOWCASED ARTISTS
– Lisa Markowitz, Rockville Arts Festival Award Winner
HONORED CRAFT
More than 250 friends and fans gathered at VisArts last winter to celebrate our Inaugural Craft Resident Artist Xiaosheng Bi, a renowned ceramics artist, instructor, and longtime VisArts Associate Artist. Supported by the Windgate Foundation, VisArts’ Center for Craft Studies provided master classes and community events such as this artist talk, demonstration, and book signing.
– Xiaosheng Bi, VisArts Associate Artist
LAUNCHED CAREERS
What better way to feel inspired than to create art in a professional gallery? In addition to enjoying 25 exhibitions featuring artists from across the globe last year, art lovers had the chance to participate in several demonstrations and artmaking workshops, like this fabric dying event led by contemporary craft artist and former Bresler Resident Megan Koeppel.
— Sam Fratantoni, VisAbility Art Lab Artist
MADE FRIENDS
It wouldn’t be summer at VisArts without the sights and sounds of young artists transforming our usually quiet workspaces into a cacophony of creation. Last year, 524 campers created their own masterpieces in ceramics, painting, woodworking, glass, and more at VisArts Summer Camp, winner of Bethesda Magazine’s Best Summer Art Camp Award.
EMBRACED TRADITIONS
Throughout the year, VisArts hosts numerous cultural celebrations led by community artists.
Last fall, we celebrated Diwali, the Indian holiday known as the Festival of Lights that symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and truth over ignorance. Participants created two Diwali-inspired art projects – a diya and kolam.
BUILT COMMUNITY
If you wandered VisArts’ Artists’ Concourse during opening night of our Annual Student and Faculty Shows last spring, you could feel the glow of more than 80 artists proudly displaying their creations with friends, family, and fans. Last year, our education community included more than 7,300 adult students and 75 teaching artists, learning from and supporting each other.
Together, we’re transforming individuals and communities through the visual arts.
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