Mason Arts 250

This summer, the Mason District Arts Council is organizing a community-wide commemoration of the United States Semiquincentennial aimed at engaging the public through the arts, based on the ideas at the heart of the American Revolution.

Artists and community members are collaborating on six activities – involving music, poetry, theater, speech, and visual arts – in June and July. Each activity will take as its starting point one of four central American texts: the Declaration of Independence, “The New Colossus,” “America the Beautiful,” and “What to a Slave is the Fourth of July” by Frederick Douglass.

In planning the Mason Arts 250 program, the Mason District Arts Council identified specific art activities that will bring the meaning of those texts to our multicultural community. Some events are site-specific and will take place on a certain day and others will take place over the five weeks leading to the July 4, holiday.

Everyone is welcome to participate in the following family-friendly events and activities for this spirited commemoration:

• Chorale concert — On June 7, the NoVA Lights Chorale performed a free concert titled “America Celebrates 250” featuring songs focused on the country’s history, beauty, and pursuit of freedom, to a packed crowd of more than 160 people at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Bailey’s Crossroads. A reception with light food and beverages followed.
• America the Beautiful at 250 — A community parent orchestra, the ATOMS Buskers, and more, will present a free concert with the theme “America the Beautiful at 250” along with the premiere readings of the winning poems from our Mason Arts 250 Poetry Contest at John Calvin Presbyterian Church in Annandale on June 13 at 4 p.m. along with a “string instrument petting zoo” (courtesy of Day Violins) for the kids starting at 3 p.m. Full list of performers, songs and other details.
• Oratory by historical reenactors, musical performance, and one-act plays — presented at a free community event on June 20 at 2 p.m. at Pozez JCC of Northern Virginia. More details to be announced soon!
• Community mural — Residents are invited to participate in a community mural project in cooperation with ArtLords on the theme “The New Colossus” in central Annandale on June 27. The mural will be displayed throughout July in a prominent location.
 The sonnet, “The New Colossus,” written by Emma Lazarus in 1883, is inscribed on a plaque inside the Statue of Liberty. It welcomes immigrants to America with the lines, “Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free.”
• Poetry contest — Community members were asked to submit poems inspired by “The New Colossus.” The works will be shared soon on this website and read aloud by the authors during the “America the Beautiful” concert event on June 13.
• Wishing tree collaboration — Throughout May and June, residents will be asked to write down their ideas about “What is My America” on ribbons, which will be collected and displayed on a “wishing tree” on June 27 as part of the community mural project. Look for the wishing tree box at community events and share your message. Confirmed locations (more to come):
  

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  June 11, 8 a.m – noon   •   Annandale Farmers Market

The Mason District Arts Council is composed of artists, art lovers, and organizers with the goal of elevating the arts and culture in our community. The council is excited to invite the public to participate in Mason Arts 250. For updates, check this website, our Facebook page, and Annandale Today for information on each project as the summer approaches. Additional activities may be added in the next couple of months.

Photos by Jay Townsend