HomeMy Public PortalAboutTOL PR 2012-02-24 Arts & Cultural District launch
Town of Leesburg
News Release
For Immediate Release
New Leesburg Arts & Cultural District Launches During
March’s First Friday Arts Celebration
Two artist showcases will feature local performing and visual artists
Leesburg, VA (February 24, 2012) – On Friday, March 2, 2012, the Town of Leesburg will
celebrate the launch of its new Arts & Cultural District with two special artist showcases from
6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in conjunction with the monthly First Friday arts celebration in Historic
Downtown Leesburg. The “Best of Loudoun Performing Arts” will be hosted by SonaBank at 1
East Market Street and “Loudoun Artists at Work” can be seen at 2B Loudoun Street SW.
The Leesburg Arts & Cultural District, adopted by the Town in 2011, was proposed by a joint
task force of Leesburg’s Economic Development and Public Art Commissions. The district
encompasses the commercial heart of the Town’s Old & Historic District and a large portion of
the Leesburg Crescent District. The goal of the Arts & Cultural District is to build upon
Leesburg’s historic foundation as a cultural hub by incentivizing art and entertainment related
businesses within the district to create a vibrant destination for arts, entertainment and dining.
At 6:00 p.m., the “Best of Loudoun Performing Arts” showcase, hosted by SonaBank at 1 East
Market Street, will feature performances by the Nova Guitar Quartet, the Loudoun Lyric
Opera, the Loudoun Quartet, members of the Loudoun Symphony and the Master Singers of
Virginia. Refreshments will be served.
Also at 6:00 p.m., the “Loudoun Artists at Work” showcase, located at 2B Loudoun Street SW,
will feature local visual artists including Kevin Bednarz, J Douglas, Anne Geiger, Connie Lickey,
Jennifer Roddewig and Betty Wiley. This unique opportunity will allow visitors to see local
artisans at work and to learn more about their craft. Refreshments will also be served at this
location.
“We are thrilled to see the arts play a vibrant role in the revitalization of downtown Leesburg
and the adjacent Crescent District,” said Arts & Cultural District Task Force Co-Chair Pamela
Butler. “The Arts & Cultural District will offer many exciting opportunities to bring new visitors
into Leesburg.”
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TOL PR 2012-02-24 Arts & Cultural District launch
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“There is nothing better than the buzz of energy that flows from performing artists,”
commented Marantha Edwards, Leesburg’s Economic Development Manager. “Downtown
Leesburg is a natural starting point for the new Arts & Cultural District and its activities.”
For more information about the Leesburg Arts & Cultural District, please contact the Leesburg
Economic Development Department at 703-737-7019. For more information on Leesburg’s First
Friday, the monthly celebration of the arts in downtown, please visit
www.leesburgfirstfriday.com.
Contact:
Debi Parry
Business Retention Coordinator
dparry@leesburgva.gov
703-737-7023
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