On Tuesday night last week (Oct. 13), a Vienna-area parish was nearly full, as local Catholics gathered for the first mass inside the church in six months.
Our Lady of Good Counsel Catholic Church, located just outside of town limits at 8601 Wolftrap Road, recently completed a $12 million renovation that launched in late 2022 and culminated with a temporary relocation of church services to the adjacent chapel and fellowship hall after Easter this year.
When photographer Lloyd Wolf sought to document a substance abuse rehabilitation program at Lorton Correctional Complex nearly four decades ago, his request was met with outright hostility.
It was the late 1980s, and Washington, D.C., was grappling with a crack cocaine epidemic and violent turf wars.
Fairfax families now have a vibrant new destination for creative exploration — a dedicated children’s art studio has officially opened its doors, bringing with it one of the largest selections of children’s art programs in the area.
A Vision Rooted in Community
The journey behind this new studio is a simple but meaningful one: a belief that every child in the Fairfax community deserves access to quality art education. That conviction became the driving force behind building a space where young people can discover, create, and grow — not just as artists, but as individuals.
“We wanted to provide the opportunity of art education to the Fairfax community,” the studio shared.
More Than 40 Art Forms Under One Roof
What makes this studio particularly remarkable is its breadth. Children have access to more than 40 varieties of art, offering a rare opportunity to explore disciplines far beyond the typical drawing and painting classes. Whether a child is drawn to sculpture, printmaking, mixed media, or illustration, there’s a path here waiting to be discovered.
The philosophy is intentional: instead of narrowing a child’s focus too soon, the programs are designed to let curiosity lead the way. Children are encouraged to try, experiment, and explore until something clicks — because finding a true passion is just as important as developing a skill.
Programs Built for Every Child and Every Schedule
The studio has been thoughtfully designed to meet families where they are, with age-appropriate programs that build skills progressively and purposefully. Here’s a closer look at what’s available:
Tiny Hands (Ages 3–4)
Art is a skill developed over time, and it all starts here. In Tiny Hands classes, children begin to express themselves through art in guided, small group activities that encourage community, collaboration, and relationships. This two-year program introduces young learners to drawing, painting, clay, printmaking, collage, design, and more — laying the foundation for a lifelong creative journey.
Intro to Art (Ages 5–6)
This two-year program introduces children to beginning art skills, tools, and basic vocabulary. Students are encouraged to explore different mediums and express their growing interests, working with clay, printmaking, charcoal drawing, painting, design, montage, watercolors, sculpture, stained glass, and more. Along the way, they’ll learn about color theory — including primary, secondary, cool, and warm colors — while gaining self-confidence and earning recognition for their creations.
Beginning Art (Ages 7–8)
Building on the foundation of Intro to Art, Beginning Art is designed for children ready to deepen their skills and grow more comfortable with art tools. Students expand their art vocabulary, apply their knowledge of color theory, and explore design principles through hands-on creating. This two-year program offers opportunities to work with charcoal, mono printing, clay, ink, color design, collage, self-portrait, watercolors, balsa wood carving, sculpture, and much more.
Art 1 (Ages 9+)
Art 1 is the foundation of the studio’s four-year curriculum — a class designed to maximize and maintain each child’s art interest as they develop a higher level of skills and knowledge. Students also begin building their personal portfolio. Projects include ebony pencil from photo montage, charcoal still life, India ink design, and scratchboard art, with a strong focus on line, value, and texture. Later in the program, students dive into an in-depth study of color theory and apply it to a series of color design projects. Art 1 also includes hand building with clay.
A former school building on the Reston border that has been empty for nearly a decade burned down last night (Sunday) in a two-alarm fire.
Units with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department were initially dispatched at 10:25 p.m. to an address on Crowell Road before seeing smoke closer to the Dulles Toll Road and determining that the correct address for the reported fire was 1624 Hunter Mill Road, according to scanner traffic.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday (Oct. 13) approved comprehensive plan amendments that could lead to the redevelopment of key parcels near the intersection of I-66 and Route 50.
“These plans have all really come as a result of I-66. It increases the development potential,” said Springfield District Supervisor Pat Herrity, whose district contains one of the three parcels.
Celebrate the spirit of Diwali with us at the Brahma Kumaris Meditation Center for a joyful and uplifting afternoon for the whole family.
Enjoy delicious food, meditation, dance, spiritual stories, creative activities for children, candle lighting, blessings, abundance mantras, and more as we come together with family, friends, and community to celebrate peace, love, kindness, and abundance for all.
A teen was hospitalized this morning (Monday) after she was struck by a driver while riding an electric bicycle near McLean High School.
Initial details about the crash are limited, but the Fairfax County Police Department says the 15-year-old girl appears to have been riding in a crosswalk at Westmoreland Street and Clearview Drive when she was struck.
Tickets are now up for grabs to this year’s Winterfest, Reston Association’s increasingly popular holiday tradition.
According to RA, last year’s festival drew more than 10,000 people over three days, and even more attendees are expected when it returns to Brown’s Chapel Park (1525 Brown’s Chapel Road) for a fourth year on Dec. 3-5 from 5-9 p.m.
Two pedestrians were seriously injured and another was killed in three separate vehicle crashes on Fairfax County roads this past weekend.
Officers with the Fairfax County Police Department responded yesterday (Sunday) at 3:47 a.m. for a crash involving a pedestrian on southbound Route 28 near Air and Space Museum Parkway, according to a press release issued this afternoon (Monday).
Rescues From Springfield House Fire — Two people were hospitalized with life-threatening injuries after Fairfax County firefighters rescued them from a kitchen fire in their two-story townhouse at Leestone Court and Leebrad Street yesterday afternoon (Sunday). “Fire investigators are working to determine the cause of the fire.” [FCFRD/Facebook]
Beyer Blasts Trump Golf Course Makeover — “President Donald Trump says he will close the East Potomac golf course, just across the river from Arlington, for 15 months of renovations starting Sunday, Nov. 15.” Rep. Don Beyer, whose district includes Arlington and eastern Fairfax County, warned that the golf course redesign appears to “block off or eliminate roads and paths used by large numbers of local residents for cycling and walking,” calling the project “a disgrace.” [ARLnow]
A new dog day care and boarding spot opened in Chantilly this summer, and to celebrate, its owners are inviting locals and their four-legged friends to have a paw-some time at a Halloween-themed grand opening party this weekend.
After opening its doors July 31, Camp Bow Wow Dulles South (13893 Willard Road) will throw a grand opening “Howl-O-Ween” party on Saturday (Oct. 17) from noon to 4 p.m.
