League Of Reston Artists
Art by Karen Danenberger
Dream. Create. Inspire.
The League of Reston Artists (LRA) is a nonprofit, volunteer-run community of visual artists, photographers, and art supporters dedicated to celebrating creativity and connection. Through rotating group and solo exhibitions, artist talks, workshops, and community partnerships, we create opportunities to learn, share, and experience art in meaningful ways. Our outreach programs bring art into public spaces, support creative education, and fund an annual scholarship for local high school students pursuing the visual arts. We welcome artists, art lovers, and curious visitors alike to connect, participate, and be part of a vibrant creative community.
LRA Calendar
Meet the Maker Spotlight!
Behind every work of art is a unique story—and we'd love to help you tell yours. Every other month, we'll feature one League of Reston Artists member on our homepage, so you can meet the artist behind the artwork. Our inaugural member is…Bonnie Cohen!
Bonnie’s award-winning commissions enhance public spaces, health care facilities, synagogues and community centers in the United States. Several of her installations have been included in the Mosaic Arts International Exhibitions and in 2021 her public art installation was selected as the best architectural mosaic for that international exhibition. Bonnie has been awarded five public art commissions from the state of Ohio’s Percent for Arts program at universities and hospitals throughout the state. She was the recipient of a Knight Foundation grant to work with local high school students during the pandemic to create a mosaic mural for an historic Courthouse in Akron, Ohio. After graduating from Carnegie-Mellon University, Bonnie began her career as an art director specializing in corporate branding, packaging and product design. She left the corporate world after 15 years and studied ceramics and created her own unique style of telling stories in clay. She uses a combination of predominately luminous recycled glass mosaic and richly detailed handmade tiles, metals, smalti, precious stones and 22k gold leaf. Bonnie has partnered with architects, designers and fundraising professionals to create public artworks in New York, New Jersey, Virginia, Washington DC., Maryland, Georgia, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Florida, Rhode Island and Ohio. Bonnie finds her inspiration by listening to people’s stories. She continues to tell visual stories with her mosaic art and loves the challenge of creating inspirational and uplifting imagery reflecting the values, ideas and spiritual core of an organization. See Bonnie’s work below and click on the video link to learn more about her work, and check out her website here!
RPS Clicks 2026! USGS Exhibit Winners!
First Place - Sue Irish, “Horsetail Fall, Yosemite National Park”
Third Place - Carla Steckley “Shenandoah Sunrise”
Congratulations to the winners and all the photographers for an amazing show! Special shoutout to our judge, David Kepley, for his enlightening commentary on the photography. The exhibit is on display at the United States Geological Survey, 12201 Sunrise Valley Drive, Reston, Virginia, 20192, now through October 30th. If you can’t make it, you can watch it here! (Double click on the video to enlarge.)
Second Place - Sue Irish for Fanad Head Lighthouse
Second Place - Jan Master, “Burst of Orange”
Honorable Mention - John Thomas, “Get In Formation”
RPS Clicks! 2026 USGS
Fall Into Art Exhibit Now Open!
LRA invites artists to explore the season as inspiration—through color, mood, texture, or personal interpretation. Visit the Jo An Rose Gallery to see the artwork in person, and join us on Sunday, October 18, 2026 from 2:00 - 4:00 p.m for the reception and Tabletop Art Showcase where out exhibitor will be selling small art, prints, greeting cards! and more! We hope to see you there!
artReston Painting & Mixed Media - Fall Into Art
Fluid Art Workshop
Fluid art may look spontaneous, but there’s a lot happening behind all that moving paint! Join LRA artist and instructor Karen Durishin for a fun, hands-on introduction to fluid acrylics. We’ll explore how paint consistency, color, movement, technique—and yes, a little science—work together to create the effects that make fluid art so fascinating. Then it’s your turn to experiment! You’ll work with fluid acrylics to create four individual art coasters, with plenty of hands-on guidance along the way. No experience necessary. All materials are provided—and with just six participants per session, there will be plenty of time to ask questions, experiment, and play.
For more details and to sign up, CLICK HERE.
Coming Soon! Plein Air Art Demo!
Cancelled due to inclement weather—Check back for our new date! Join us for a free LRA plein air art event as Rachel Garcia-Palmer walks us through the process of painting outdoors at Brown's Chapel, 11450 Baron Cameron Avenue, Reston, VA 20190. LRA member Rachel has been a plein air artist for ten years and is co-founder of the Nova Plein Air Artists. Check out some of her plein air work at this link.
All mediums welcome! Suggested materials include an outdoor easel, your favorite paints, paper or canvas panel, brushes, paper towels, bug spray, and sunscreen. However, bring whatever you have; there's no need to buy anything special.