Bring creative experiences to 25 community members who can’t come to us. Donate today!
Effective January 1: Masks are Optional in VisArts’ Classrooms and Studios
Home » About » Community 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
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.”
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.
This program was an opportunity to work with so many different people and meet new local artists. People were really interested in working with the body in a more expressive way. – Megan Koeppel, 2024 Bresler Resident Artist
This program was an opportunity to work with so many different people and meet new local artists. People were really interested in working with the body in a more expressive way.
– Megan Koeppel, 2024 Bresler Resident Artist
Not even the rain dampened the spirits of the nearly 10,000 art lovers who donned parkas to enjoy VisArts’ 12th Annual Rockville Arts Festival in May. During the free, public, two-day event, visitors strolled and shopped at our vibrant outdoor art gallery featuring original art by 130 fine artists and artisans, watched pottery wheel demonstrations, and participated in several community art-making projects.
Winning an award at the Rockville Arts Festival was a huge validation. The festival was a highlight and a pivotal point in my career, giving me the confidence to maybe explore art full time in my future. – Lisa Markowitz, Rockville Arts Festival Award Winner
Winning an award at the Rockville Arts Festival was a huge validation. The festival was a highlight and a pivotal point in my career, giving me the confidence to maybe explore art full time in my future.
– Lisa Markowitz, Rockville Arts Festival Award Winner
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.
It’s wonderful to be here. To be around artists feels good. It’s lonely to be home in my basement studio! To work so close to exhibitions is inspiring. It’s good to talk to people about art. – Xiaosheng Bi, VisArts Associate Artist
It’s wonderful to be here. To be around artists feels good. It’s lonely to be home in my basement studio! To work so close to exhibitions is inspiring. It’s good to talk to people about art.
– Xiaosheng Bi, VisArts Associate Artist
I sold a fluid painting at the Rocktobierfest! I had fun talking to other humans and being social. VisAbility Art Lab is a cool place to hang out and you can be social in a cool way with other artists. — Sam Fratantoni, VisAbility Art Lab Artist
I sold a fluid painting at the Rocktobierfest! I had fun talking to other humans and being social. VisAbility Art Lab is a cool place to hang out and you can be social in a cool way with other artists.
— Sam Fratantoni, VisAbility Art Lab Artist
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.
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.
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.
Download a PDF of the Report
Uplift the Community
Help artists, art education, community art programs and more.
Donate Today
