18th Annual MPAartfest

McLean Central Park will come to life once again on Sunday, October 5, 2025 from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm when MPAartfest returns with a full day of art, music, food, and fun.

Now in its 18^th year, MPAartfest transforms Central Park into a lively landscape of mini art galleries showcasing and offering for sale the work of juried artists from throughout the Mid-Atlantic region. New to this year’s festival, a yarn bombing installation throughout the park will enhance the festival’s vibrant atmosphere.

MPAartfest 2025 will consist of a one-day juried fine art and craft show/sale featuring the work of more than 35 local and regional visual artists. This FREE event features contemporary art, two performance stages showcasing some of the DC-area’s best musical talents, four children’s art tents, food vendors, and much more.

“Each fall MPAartfest celebrates our community and the arts in the beautiful setting of McLean Central Park,” said MPA Executive Director Lori Carbonneau. “We are so appreciative of our lead community sponsor, the McLean Community Center, and of all the generous community sponsors who help to make this event possible. We invite all the community to join us in the beautifully renovated park for a relaxing and inspiring day of art!”

From painting to sculptures, crystalline ceramics, Mandala art, jewelry, mixed media, and much more,  MPAartfest’s featured artists offer something for everyone. This year’s artists include: John Allen, Olga Ayhan — Orlaya Studio, Jill Banks, Michele Banks, Cheryl Ann Bearss, Varnamulu Bysameera, Maria-Victoria Checa, Lisa Cimino, Jo Edwards, Laurie Fields, Bob Friedenberg / Not-Wolf-Productions, Ute Gil, Justine Godown, Amie Hoeber, Katie Keister, Giselle Kolb, Christiane Lavin, Joyce Lee, Susan Livingston, Nasim Maleki, Begoña Morton, Renee Newell, AnaMarie Paredes, Susan Moskow, Trinka Roeckelein, Heide Rohland, Michele Ross, Carol Samour, Hilary Schenker, Bikki Tuyen Strickler, David Sturtevant, Laura Summer, Dorian Traynham, and Dagmara Weinberg.

MPAartfest will again offer a full day of lively and varied musical performances. Sponsored by TTR Sotheby’s and curated by Music Director Ken Avis, a performing musician with the award-winning band Veronneau, this year’s performers include: Blues Alley Youth Jazz Orchestra (10am), Seth Kibel & The Kleztet (11am), Valeria Stewart & Friends (12pm), The Porch Delights (1pm), I&I Riddim(2pm), and Surftrek (3pm).

Sponsored by BOWA, Deirdre Maull Orthodontics, and Anne Marie and Jerry Marenburg, the MPAartfest Children’s Activity Tents will feature a variety of art-based activities and learning stations. Other art highlights include the Children’s Art Walk, a juried open-air gallery displaying artwork from local public and private elementary school students.

On the food front, MPAartfest will once again feature the much-loved Café Beret (sponsored by The Mather) where guests can enjoy wine courtesy of Chain Bridge Cellars.

MPAartfest 2025 is made possible with the generous support of the McLean Community Center, and through partnerships with Fairfax County Park Authority and community and corporate sponsors.

MPAartfest admission is FREE, and all are welcome and encouraged to join. Parking will be available at the McLean Community Center, at 1234 Ingleside Avenue. For more information visit www.mpaart.org or email info@mpaart.org.