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Alexandria to hold inaugural State of the Arts event Oct. 15

By James Cullum
The Virginia Tech Innovation Campus in Potomac Yard (staff photo by James Cullum)

Alexandria will host its first-ever State of the Arts ALX event this month at the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus (3625 Potomac Avenue).

The city’s Department of Recreation, Parks, and Cultural Activities — Office of Arts is hosting the free event on Oct. 15 at 8:30 a.m. Speakers discussing the local art scene and artistic accomplishments in Alexandria include Poet Laureate Maria Cristina Donoso and Jen Goold, executive director of the Neighborhood Design Center.

“This curated forum celebrates Alexandria’s vibrant arts community by showcasing the work of the Office of the Arts and honoring the individuals and organizations that shape the city’s creative landscape,” said Diane Ruggerio, RPCA’s deputy director of cultural activities. “This event is designed for artists and their art’s missions to be seen.”

The event will feature audiovisual displays showing the city’s artistic accomplishments, from murals to public art on the waterfront.

Attendees are asked to RSVP, and “(a)rtists, arts organizations, board members, elected officials, and community stakeholders are encouraged to attend,” according to RPCA.

About the Author

  • Reporter James Cullum has spent nearly 20 years covering Northern Virginia. He began working with ALXnow in 2020, and has covered every story under the sun for the publication, from investigative stories to features and photo galleries. His work includes coverage of national and international situations, as well as from the White House, Capitol, Pentagon, Supreme Court and State Department. He's covered protests and riots throughout the U.S. (including the Jan. 6 riot at the U.S. Capitol), in addition to earthquake-ridden Haiti, Western Sahara in North Africa and war-torn South Sudan. He has photographed presidents and other world leaders, celebrities and famous musicians, and excels under pressure.