Artisphere Celebrates Second Anniversary with Weekend Events

Rosslyn’s Artisphere celebrates its second anniversary this week with festivities for art lovers culminating in a family day open house Sunday.

“It’s a great way to engage in our community,” said the Jose Ortiz, Artisphere’s executive director.

The urban arts center boasts a 220-seat dome theater for concerts and art exhibits. It opened to a shaky start that included a revision to the center's busines plan last year, but Ortiz said that new programming will increase visitors to the venue.

“Like any startup, we had our growing pains, but we are in a great place now and we are developing some signature programming that is unique and not available anywhere else.”

“We are different in that you can experience all art under one roof,” Ortiz said.

The celebration starts today with the opening of the sound installation “Sun Boxes” by artist Craig Colorusso. Twenty individually solar-powered speakers will be placed in public spaces surrounding the Artisphere that together create a “walk-through sonic landscape.”

“The idea is to take Artisphere outside our four walls,” Ortiz said.

On Saturday evening, participants can experience a Brazilian music with dance band Forro in the Dark and Alma Tropicália, which “combines traditional Brazilian rhythms with the outrageous sounds of psychedelic pop” according to a news release from the Artisphere.

Programming for Sunday’s free open house includes storyteller, circus performers, and a theatrical workshop.

For details on programing and tickets to the pay events, visit Artisphere’s website.

This weekend’s programming:

Sun Boxes Installation (Free)

• Thursday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Le Meridien Hotel’s Outdoor Plaza, 1121 19th St. N.
• Friday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. at Freedom Park at Artisphere at 1101 Wilson Blvd.
• Saturday from 11:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Central Space (across from Rosslyn Metro) at 1213 Wilson Blvd.

Forro in the Dark and Alma Tropicália (Tickets are $20)

• Saturday starting at 8 p.m. in the Artisphere Ballroom, 1101 Wilson Blvd.

Family Open House (Free)

• Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Artisphere, 1101 Wilson Blvd.