2nd Saturday Open House &
Art Walk
at Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton VA
December 13th, 2025 I 6-9PM
FREE ADMISSION
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for more details!
A Night of
Art, Artists & Adventure
As the Holidays fills the air with creativity, the Workhouse campus comes alive for Second Saturday! Meet artists in their studios, explore vibrant galleries, shop local art, and enjoy food, drinks, and unforgettable experiences. Whether you're a seasoned art lover or just out for a night of fun—there’s something here for everyone.
Free Fun Activities
Holiday Karaoke! | 6:00-9:00 PM | 📍In front of W-11 1102
Wear your ugliest sweater and join us for some Holiday Karaoke while sipping on some festive beverages to ring in the holiday spirit.
AND, Join our Karaoke Contest from 7-7:30 in W11. $5 to enter, pay at the Bar once you arrive.
DIY Suffrage Holiday Card | 6:00 -9:00 PM | Available Through December | 📍W- 2
One of the most popular forms of suffrage memorabilia was the postcard. Thousands of varieties throughout the world were issued both commercially and by the suffragists themselves. Cards with suffrage themes were issued by both official and commercial sources for many major holidays. Perhaps the most popular of all Christmas designs was one picturing Santa with “Votes for Women” in his sack of toys.
Recreate these fun and often humorous cards in our Lucy Burns Gallery, where we commemorate the women who were incarcerated at our site for fighting for the right to vote. Guests can color in a historic design or create something new - all creativity is encouraged.
11th Annual Glass International Reception | 6:00–8:00 PM | 📍Vulcan Gallery
Workhouse Arts Center proudly presents the 11th Annual Glass International, showcasing the beauty, breadth, and technical mastery in contemporary glass art. This exhibition, juried by Susie J. Silbert, features a diverse range of techniques and creative visions, offering an opportunity to experience how artists challenge the boundaries of functional and sculptural glass art. The Workhouse Arts Center’s anticipated annual Glass International exhibition highlights the versatility that defines glass today.
Meet 70+ Artists Across Campus!
6:00–9:00 PM | 📍W-5 - W-10
Connect with artists in their studios and explore new gallery exhibitions. Featured artists receptions, hands-on art-making, and live demonstrations happening across buildings W5–W10.
Prison Cat Round-up Scavenger Hunt!
6:00–9:00 PM | 📍W-16
Find hidden stuffed cats in each Artist Building (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10) and collect a prize for every cat you discover at W16. Fun for all ages.
Fee-Based Activities
Create & Sip: Chinese Brush Painting | 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM | W6 - 602 | Register Now!
Unwind with an evening of creativity, conversation, and culture! In this two-hour Create & Sip workshop, you’ll be introduced to the graceful art of Chinese Brush Painting—an ancient technique that captures the spirit of nature through expressive brushstrokes and flowing ink.
Guided by a skilled instructor, you’ll learn how to paint elegant forms such as bamboo, blossoms, or birds, and create a finished piece you can take home the very same evening.
No experience is necessary, and all supplies are provided - this class is designed for fun and relaxation. Bring a friend, a date, or simply yourself, and enjoy a memorable night of artmaking. With a glass in hand and brush on paper, you’ll discover the perfect blend of creativity and connection.
More Activities
Artists in Action
6:00–9:00 PM | 📍W-5 to W-10 Studios
See Workhouse artists in action! Explore fresh art in our galleries, chat with the makers, and even take home an original piece — it’s art you can watch, love, and buy!
Artisan Shopping
6:00–9:00 PM | 📍W-5 to W-10 & W-16 Gallery Shop
Discover one-of-a-kind, handcrafted art, jewelry, and home décor — perfect gifts or seasonal refreshes for your space. Shop directly from local artists and support the creative community!
Scenic Photo Ops
All Evening | 📍Across Campus
Snap a pic by the iconic LOVE sign and uncover other picturesque backdrops throughout the Workhouse grounds. It’s the perfect night for a frame-worthy photo!
Food Trucks & Craft Beverages
4:00–9:00 PM | 📍Rizer Pavilion & McGuire Woods Gallery
Grab a beer, wine, or cocktail from one of our bars and toast to a night of art and culture!
📍**[View the Campus Map]** to find exhibits, studios, and all the must-see spots across the Workhouse!
11th ANNUAL WORKHOUSE
GLASS INTERNATIONAL RECEPTION
Saturday, December 13,
6 pm - 8 pm
Vulcan Gallery, Building W-16, 1st Floor
This Month’s Featured Artists
Carol’s Creations by Carol Mather
Show Dates: December 5- January 31, 2026
Opening Reception: December 13, 2025, Saturday 6 - 9pm
Where? Bldg. W-9 Arches
FAQs
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No ticket is required! The Open House at Workhouse Arts Center is free and open to all. Food and drinks will be available for purchase at event bars, W16 Café, and food trucks.
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Pets are allowed in outdoor spaces throughout the Workhouse Arts Center and the festival area.
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The best way to get to the Workhouse Arts Center in Lorton, VA, depends on your mode of transportation:
By Car: Easily accessible from I-95, take Exit 163 (Lorton Road) and follow signs to 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA 22079. Free parking is available on-site.
By Public Transit: Take the VRE (Virginia Railway Express) to Lorton Station, then use a taxi or rideshare service for a short 10-minute drive to the center.
By Bus: Fairfax Connector Route 371 & 373 provide service near the area. Check Fairfax Connector schedules for details.
For more visitor information, including directions, parking, and accessibility, visit Workhouse Arts Center Visitor Information 📍 Map to Workhouse Arts Center: View on Google Maps
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A few sprinkles can’t keep us down. Unless the weather poses a hazard, the event will happen rain or shine.
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Public restrooms are located throughout The Workhouse Arts Center.
UPCOMING EVENTS
UPCOMING EVENTS
What’s Happening in Each Building on Campus
W5
Building W-5 at the Workhouse Arts Center is home to a dynamic group of 15 artists, each bringing a unique voice and vision to their craft. Visitors to W-5 will find a rich and diverse blend of artistic disciplines, from traditional painting to contemporary mixed media. The studios feature work in encaustic and mixed media, acrylic combined with colored pencil, and expressive watercolor and collage compositions.
W6
Building W-6 is housing 14 artists who work across an diverse range of mediums. This building offers visitors a unique opportunity to explore the intersection of traditional techniques and contemporary approaches. Inside, you’ll find artists working in mixed media, acrylic painting, and oil painting, as well as watercolor and figure drawing, capturing the human form with expressive detail. Fiber arts are also prominently featured, specializing in batik, weaving, and quilting—each bringing texture, color, and storytelling to their work through fabric and thread.
W7
Building W-7, affectionately known as the Glasshouse, is home to 11 exceptional glass artists who bring extraordinary craftsmanship and creativity to this specialized medium. Visitors entering the Glasshouse will find themselves immersed in the luminous world of glass art, where fire, heat, and imagination transform raw materials into breathtaking works. Artists in W-7 work primarily in torchworked and fused glass, each with their own distinctive style and technique.
W8
Building W-8, the Ceramics building at Workhouse Arts Center, is home to four talented potters who work in a variety of ceramic techniques. Visitors will find a space rich in tradition and creativity, where clay is transformed into functional and sculptural art. Artists specialize in wheel-thrown pottery, hand-built ceramics, and firing methods like Raku, known for its crackled glazes. The studio also features work with crystal glazes, creating stunning crystalline patterns during firing. Each piece reflects the skill and experimentation that define ceramic artistry. Visitors are invited to explore the studio, meet the artists, and learn about the fascinating processes behind each creation.
W9
Building W-9, known as The Arches, offers a unique experience at the Workhouse Arts Center. Unlike other buildings that feature full-time resident artists, The Arches houses a rotating group of 15 artists—a collective of accomplished creatives who are selected to exhibit and work in the space for shorter-term residencies. This ever-changing dynamic makes The Arches a vibrant and evolving destination for art lovers. Visitors will find expressive paintings, inventive mixed media works, and compelling photography—including nature and infrared photography that explore light, texture, and storytelling in fresh ways.
