Riverworks Art Center ...
Create it and they will come
by wib middleton
It was a picture-perfect summer day in Poolesville on June 10th . The weather gods cooperated as crossed fingers gave way to the first Taste of Riverworks Festival . The previous summer the newly launched Poolesville-based Riverworks Art Center was already overflowing with ambitious ideas and aspirations . Co-founders , David Therriault and Sandy Wright had already wowed the community with the opening of Locals Farm Market and Restaurant during the pandemic . And it just continues to grow as a great place to meet up and enjoy scrumptious farm-fresh cuisine and conversation with friends — surrounded by art .
Building on Locals ’ success and honoring their daughter , Sydney , a gifted artist and beloved community friend to all who suddenly passed away , Riverworks became their vision and purpose to cultivate community and celebrate the arts in rural Maryland surrounded by the Agricultural Reserve . Staff was hired , a board was created , art shows were hung , classes began , its non-profit status came through , grants were applied for — and funding granted from the state to the tune of $ 200,000 — the energy and focus was palpable .
June 10th marked the community debut of Riverworks outdoors at the old Methodist Church , the future site of Riverworks Performing Arts Center . After months of preparation all the visionary elements of what an arts-loving community could look like in one event , came together that day . Turns out the Taste of Riverworks was a huge success and truly a fantastic taste for the 350 folks who happily showed up .
The day kicked off with some gifted 22 plein air artists with their well-worked pallets , brushes and paints ready to create an auction- worthy painting in three hours ! Situated on farms , in gardens , in front of barns and even a Buddhist temple in the Ag Reserve , the artists chatted up festival-goers who ventured out to observe artists at work in the various locales .
As the artists madly painted , others began to gather on the festival grounds on West Willard Rd . David and Sandy acquired the property envisioning in their words “ a state-of-the-art performing arts center and gallery space . Our vision is art and culture for all — while transforming small-town Poolesville into an arts destination for visitors from the D . C . region and beyond .” Riverworks Board member and local author , Jeff Sypeck greeted curious visitors inside the gutted church and talked non-stop about the plans for the 140-person performing arts space and wrap around balcony gallery .
Folks from Poolesville and well beyond spread out blankets , settled in to their foldable chairs awaiting a full line up of performances from poetry readings , an improv act , solo musical acts to Hope Garden Children ’ s Ballet
22 plenty I autumn Harvest 2023