2023-07-14 09:38:33
PAINT THE TOWN Walk west down Leesburg’s Market Steet from the bustling King Street intersection and an incredible sight comes into view on the wall of the Loudoun Museum: a brightly colored mural depicting Bazil Newman, a Black 19th century Loudoun landowner and ferry business operator, taking a young boy across the Potomac River to Maryland on a moonlit night, Newman’s brother looking on. Revered Loudoun abolitionist Leonard Grimes observes from the riverbank. Titled “Journey to Freedom,” the work is the latest in a series of murals and sculptures that have turned Leesburg – and wider Loudoun – into a vibrant public arts hub. “Public art beautifies but it also says something important about the history and culture of a place,” said Amy Bobchek, founder of Loudoun Art Tours, which offers guided walking tours of downtown Leesburg’s public art. Among other pieces seen on the tour are the turquoise-colored Discover the Charm mural on Liberty Street (a popular selfie spot), Kaeley Boyle’s red and grey locomotive mural on the South King Street Bridge and the contemporary installations in Raflo Park Sculpture Garden. It’s not only Leesburg driving the scene. As part of Virginia’s LOVEworks program, Lovettsville and Purcellville feature LOVE sign sculptures (Purcellville’s an homage to wine country), while One Loudoun in Ashburn is the site of Ed Trask’s towering 6,000 square-foot “new urbanism” murals on the wall of the Alamo Drafthouse – abstract pieces depicting birds, planes, flowers, buildings and open sky. Welcome to art country. ART EVENTS WESTERN LOUDOUN ART & STUDIO TOUR: This self-guided weekend tour in June directs you to the galleries and studios of leading local painters, potters, jewelers and artisans. MIDDLEBURG FILM FESTIVAL: Intimate Fall festival featuring Hollywood stars and Oscar buzz-worthy movies. CROSSROADS MUSIC FESTIVAL: Eclectic annual Leesburg festival on a Saturday in September with some two dozen bands and artists performing on the Town Green and in nearby breweries and bars, proceeds going to children’s charities.
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