About IPAR

The Initiative for Public Art Reston (IPAR), a group of civic leaders who represent Reston's key community organizations, seeks to inspire a new commitment to public art that builds on Reston's tradition of supporting community arts and culture. IPAR is dedicated to fostering community discourse and education about public art, creating new expectations about the possibilities for art in the public realm, and cultivating a new generation of artworks in the community.

As the first step in bringing world-class public art to our community, IPAR has launched a process to create a world-class public art master plan for Reston, following on our long tradition of internationally recognized planning excellence first initiated by founder Robert E. Simon.

IPAR is incorporated as a not-for-profit entity with its IRS letter designating it as a 501c3 corporation pending.

Vision Statement

IPAR imagines public art throughout Reston that is world-renowned, inspires the community and engages the mind and senses.

Mission Statement

The Initiative for Public Art - Reston (IPAR) seeks to inspire a new commitment to public art that builds on Reston’s tradition of supporting community arts and culture. IPAR is dedicated to fostering community discourse and education about public art, creating new expectations about the possibilities for art in the public realm, and cultivating a new generation of artworks in the community. IPAR is working to develop a world-class master plan for public art that continues Reston’s excellence as a place to live, work and play.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is public art?

For the purposes of this planning process, we are currently defining public art as temporary or permanent elements of a public space that are designed by an artist or artist team, that reflect an awareness of and enrich the site, and whose selection generally involves the community and visual arts professionals.

What public art is there in Reston already?

Public art has been an integral part of Reston's history. At the inception of Lake Anne Village, sculptor Gonzalo Fonseca and architect James S. Rossant created play settings and whimsical sculpture at Washington Plaza and the North Shore Drive underpass at Lake Anne Village that still delight people today. The public spaces of Reston Town Center are anchored by the Mercury Fountain, by sculptor Saint Clair Cemin.

To read about the art at Lake Anne, visit this link on the George Mason University Planned Community Archives: http://dspace.wrlc.org/view/ImgViewer?url=http://dspace.wrlc.org/doc/manifest/2041/2398

Why does Reston need a public art master plan?

The master planning process is a way of engaging the community in a discussion about how public art can enhance Reston. From this process, the plan will describe how new public artworks can be grounded in the principles that have made the community successful, and be part of the transformations that the community is experiencing.

What will the master plan include?

Reston's Public Art master plan will outline a vision for public art in Reston, key opportunities for new projects, and an action plan for success. The vision and goals will address why public art is important to Reston, and what public art can accomplish. The plan will also include recommendations for projects, suggestions about how to fund the projects, and descriptions of the roles different organizations will play in helping make Reston's public art ambitions successful.

The plan will not include specific concepts or designs for artworks or recommendations for artists. These issues (artist selection, concept design) will be addressed on a project-by-project basis.

Who will approve the public art master plan?

We will seek the endorsement of the civic leadership of Reston - particularly the boards of the organizations that are supporters of IPAR. We will work with those organizations to make certain their constituents - residents, businesses, developers, artists - are engaged in the planning process. If successful, Reston will be the first non incorporated community in the country to adopt a public art master plan.

Where will artworks be located?

That's up to the community to decide by participating in the public art master plan development. The planning process is engaging all segments of the Reston community in a discussion about how public art can enrich community life and spirit, and about places that could be enhanced by artworks.

Who will pay for public art?

There are a wide range of ideas and possibilities for funding public art, and for funding public art in Reston. Most likely, community organizations, private developers, individual benefactors and government agencies will be asked to play a role in funding. Partnerships among these different segments of the community will be important to a successful public art initiative.

When will we start?

The planning process is already underway! It will include the creation of a new artwork for Reston, a process that could begin this fall.

How can I be involved?

You can join the effort by taking the survey, coming to the community forum, or contacting us for information about future events. You can learn more about public art in Reston and the region by clicking on the Resources link.

Board of Directors

The IPAR Board of Directors represent the Arts Council of Fairfax County, Greater Reston Arts Center, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce, League of Reston Artists, Reston Association, Reston Community Center, Reston Town Center Association as well as Reston residents and urban planning and design experts and artists among others.

President/Chair Joe Ritchey, At-large

Vice Chair William G. Bouie, Chairman, Reston Community Center Board of Governors

Secretary Kohann Whitney, Board Member, Greater Reston Arts Center

Treasurer Mary Bronson, Board Member, League of Reston Artists

Sarah Davidson, Emerging Leader
Denise Hogan, Reston Town Center Association Representative
Harold Linton, At-large
Kathleen Driscoll McKee, Director, Reston Association
Gwendolyn L. Minton, representative of Fairfax County Supervisor Catherine Hudgins, Hunter Mill District
Marion Myers, Immediate Past Chair, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce
Marco Rando, Artist
Ann Rust, Immediate Past Chair, Arts Council of Fairfax County
Jill Switkin, Emerging Leader
John Thillmann, Land Use Planner
Phil Tobey, Architect

Ex Officio Members
John Alciati, President and CEO, Greater Reston Arts Center
Bernadette Bettard, Staff representative of Hunter Mill District Supervisor
Leila Gordon, Executive Director, Reston Community Center
Tom Hendershot, DLA Piper Rudnick Gray Cary US LLP
Patricia Macintyre, League of Reston Artists
Milton Matthews, CEO, Reston Association
Penny Pompei, President & CEO, Greater Reston Chamber of Commerce
Ann Rodriguez, President & CEO Arts Council of Fairfax County
Barbara Rovin, Executive Director, Reston Town Center Association
Jen Sterling, President, Hinge
Alan Ward, Principal, Sasaki Associates, Inc.