2nd Saturday Open House &
Art Walk
at Workhouse Arts Center, Lorton VA
October 11th, 2025 I 6-9PM
FREE ADMISSION
A Night of
Art, Artists & Adventure
As fall fills the air with music and creativity, the Workhouse campus comes alive for Second Saturday! Meet artists in their studios, explore vibrant galleries, shop local art, and enjoy music, 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
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.
Exhibit Spotlight
6:00–9:00 PM | 📍W-16
18th Annual Fairfax County Public Schools Artist Teacher Exhibition: Color Stories | Reception located in McGuireWoods Gallery from 6:00-8:00pm
Solipsis by Lydia Semenov | Reception located in Muse Gallery from 6:00-8:00pm
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.
The WRINK
4:00–9:00 PM | 📍North Parking Lot | Learn More!
Get ready to roll into fun at the Workhouse’s newest pop-up experience — The Wrink!. Bring your own roller skates or blades and glide to killer music, soak up the good vibes, and stick around after sunset when the rink lights up for an unforgettable evening spin.
SOUQ Social Market
4:00–9:00 PM | 📍Baseball Field | Learn More!
Join us for an unforgettable evening at SOUQ, the DMV’s premier Muslim market. Dedicated to gathering and growing the vibrant Muslim business community, SOUQ offers an exciting mix of shopping, delicious halal cuisine, and rich cultural experiences — all in one dynamic space. Whether you're here for the flavors, the finds, or the community connections, SOUQ is where it all comes together.
WAC Blood Drive
2:00–7:00 PM | 📍Between W-11 & W-12 | Learn More!
Join us on October 11th for our annual blood drive! All donors will receive a choice of t-shirts AND a BOGO coupon for Masterpiece Mini Golf. The Blood Donor Services Mobile will be located on campus, parked between buildings W-11 and W-12.
Fee-Based Activities
Historic Campus Walking Tour
5:00–6:00 PM | 📍Start at the Museum W-2 | Learn More
Step back in time and explore the legacy of the Workhouse as you discover powerful stories from the past. Just $10/adult or $5/kids (ages 5–12) — a perfect early evening adventure.
Masterpiece Mini Golf
10:00 AM–Sunset | 📍Workhouse Quad | Learn More
Play your way through 18 art-inspired holes in our colorful outdoor mini golf course! Just $15 for a full day of fun. Enjoy ice cream, snacks, and drinks while you play — fun for all ages!
Freedom Fest
12:00 PM–9:00PM | 📍Workhouse Quad | Learn More
JOIN US ON OCTOBER 11, 12–9 PM, FOR FREEDOM FEST—A COMMUNITY CELEBRATION AND MUSIC FESTIVAL HONORING AND SUPPORTING OUR U.S. MILITARY, VETERANS, AND FIRST RESPONDERS.
ENJOY LIVE MUSIC FROM VIRGINIA MAN, SCOTT KURT, HOLDING A GRUNGE, AND GEORGE MASON UNIVERSITY’S GREEN MACHINE, JAZZTET, AND THE BRADDOCK ROAD BRASS BAND. COME FOR THE GREAT FOOD, FUN GAMES, FAMILY-FRIENDLY ACTIVITIES, AND CONNECT WITH LOCAL ORGANIZATIONS AND BUSINESSES DEDICATED TO SUPPORTING OUR MILITARY AND FIRST RESPONDER COMMUNITIES.
Apokalypse: Kingdom of Shadows
7:00pm-9:45 | 📍Workhouse Quad | Learn More
Step into the darkness at Workhouse this Halloween! Brave haunted trails, eerie games, and spine-chilling experiences—or join the nightly Groove-yard Party with live DJs, bands, drinks, food, and more!
Evil Dead the Musical
5:00-7:00PM | 📍W-3 | Learn More
Five college students go to an abandoned cabin in the woods, and accidentally unleash an evil force that turns them all into demons. It’s all up to Ash (a housewares employee, turned demon-killing hero), and his trusty chainsaw to save the day. Blood flies. Limbs are dismembered. Demons tell bad jokes… and all to a rockin' musical score.
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 | 📍SOUQ Market, River Pavilion & McGuire Woods Gallery
Savor global flavors and local favorites at the SOUQ Market’s food trucks. 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!
This Month’s Featured Artists
And More!
Equilibrium by Lotus Heartsong
Show Dates: October 8- November 4, 2025
Opening Reception: October 11, 2025, Saturday 6 - 9pm
Where? Bldg. W-5
Abstract Minimalism by Gene Moty
Show Dates: August 1- August 30, 2025
Opening Reception: September 13, 2025, 6 - 9pm
Where? Bldg. W-9 Arches
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Solipsis
On View: August 23 - November 8
Reception: October 11, 6-8pm
Admission: FREE
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11th ANNUAL WORKHOUSE GLASS INTERNATIONAL
On View: October 11, 2025 – January 4, 2026
Reception: December 13, 6-8pm
Admission: FREE
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18th Annual Fairfax County Public Schools Artist Teacher Exhibition: Color Stories
On View: October 11 - December 6, 2025
Reception: October 11, 6-8pmAdmission: FREE
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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Absolutely! Art in Bloom guests can enjoy a delicious selection of food and drinks throughout the event:
Workhouse Bar – Serving beer and wine. W16 Café – Will be serving hot chocolate, soda, water, beer, wine, pizza, and a delightful waffle bar. Kabob Mix Food Truck – Will savor mouthwatering Mediterranean flavors from Kabob Mix.
Guests must be 21+ to enjoy alcoholic beverages.
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Pets are allowed in outdoor spaces throughout the Workhouse Arts Center and the festival area.
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Yes! The Mount Vernon Nights Live Music with 2nd Sole will take place at 7:30pm with a 90-minute run time at the Rizer Pavilion.
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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.
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Yes, lawn chairs are welcome, and attendees are encouraged to bring their own chairs as seating under the tent is limited.
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.
