"We are here to celebrate the Arts and Artists," said Executive Director and Curator, Greater Reston Arts Center, Lily Siegel during the organization's Saturday Night Fine Arts Festival Party held May 19, 7-9 p.m. During the event, 10 awardees each received a $500 cash prize sponsored by The M Group Architects of Reston and presented by Mike Timcheck, Principal. Awardees also received a blue ribbon to display at their booth and were juried into the 2020 Northern Virginia Fine Arts Festival. Jurors Nehemiah Dixon III, Lauren Hilyard and Laura Roulet selected the winners based on a cumulative score between jurors.

In her remarks, Siegel thanked party and awards sponsor The M Group Architects; catering sponsor Not Your Average Joes; beverage sponsor Balducci's Food Lovers Market, and additional party sponsors, On Tap, Get Snap'd, The Avant and Signature. The event treated VIPs and artists with a performance by Heidi Latsky Dance from New York titled ON DISPLAY/RESTON, sponsored by Reston Community Center and Fairfax County.

Award Recipients

Recipients of the 2019 M Group Awards of Excellence for the GRACE Fine Arts Festival:

Ceramics – Thomas Clarkson

Drawing and Printmaking – Brianna Martray

Glass – Chris McCarthy

Fiber/Textiles and Leather – Elaine Unzicker

Furniture and Wood – Mick Whitcomb

Jewelry – Hilary Hertzler

Metal and Mixed Media 3D – Kue King

Painting and Mixed Media 2D – Amanda Outcalt

Sculpture – Fredrick Prescott

Photography and Digital & Multi-media art – Jonah Green