The Workhouse Arts Foundation Inc

Workhouse Arts Foundation, Inc. (WAF) was organized in October 2001 as a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization to turn the former Occoquan Workhouse Prison into a thriving, world-class center for the arts, while preserving its rich architectural and cultural heritage. The Foundation executes its mission through the Workhouse Arts Center (the Workhouse).  It promotes and supports the arts in Fairfax, Prince William and adjacent counties throughout the Washington metropolitan area. Ten of thirty buildings on the 55-acre campus within the grounds of the former prison have been re-adapted and are home to more than 75 studio artists, an arts education and outreach programs, year-round arts classes and concert series, film screenings, theatrical and dance performances.  The Foundation works in collaboration with other local agencies and commissions, school systems and other arts organizations to provide an interactive arts experience to the community.

The Foundation's mission is to:

• To grow and support a vibrant arts center that offers engaging opportunities and enjoyable experiences in visual arts, performing arts, history and education.

The Art Center's  Vision Statement is:

• To become regionally and nationally recognized as an innovative collaboration of visual and performing arts, education, community engagement, historical perspective and personal enrichment.

Here are some personal stories from students and visitors to the Workhouse: 

To all who organized and contributed to Visual Arts Explorers Camp, thank you very much. I believe it was a highlight of our daughter's summer and we were thrilled that she was able to have such a positive experience.

We are so very pleased that the Workhouse is offering such resources to potential young artists as well as those more mature and established.  What a gift to have this kind of activity in our community, and we look forward to future classes and camps.

-Barbara Muller , Parent of Summer Camp Student

What is unique about the Lorton Workhouse is having all the arts in proximity with each other. I could attend weekly life drawing sessions and apply what was learned there to glass painting. Short seminars on drawing, jewelry, and wire sculpting all contributed to an expansion of what I can do with glass. It isn't just shared knowledge that made these classes so great, it was meeting like-minded people who had visions needing expression.

- Glass Student, Elena Wright

I recently enrolled in the Gentle Yoga class with my 90 year old mother. I was going to sit outside the class and read a book, but the instructor encouraged me to join in. To our surprise, there was another mother/daughter couple in the class. We seem to have an unspoken connection the very first time we met. This class, taught by Leslie Spalding, who my mother describes as “so graceful”, has turned out to be more than an exercise/fitness class. There is very special connection of encouragement, kindness and fun, between class members and with the instructor.  The class? Well even though I take the Pilates Reformer and other Yoga classes, yes I must say I do get a good workout in this class as well. But, what I am really getting is priceless. 

- Art of Movement Student, Susan McCrary

On behalf of the parents and scouts from Pack 683 Webelos I Den 1, I want to say thank you very much.  We had a fantastic time.   We had only planned to be there for an hour.  But by the time we were ready to leave, we realized we were there for two hours and wished we could stay longer. I can’t say enough of how everyone we met was extremely welcoming and eager to share a little history of the Workhouse Arts Center…as well as show and demonstrate their art to us. The Scouts favorite studio was the Glass Studio, and an artist who was working on a piece when we arrived.  The artist took the time to show and tell the Scouts exactly what he was doing.  The Scouts (parents too) were amazed at what he could do.  He gave each Scout a marble afterwards and I know they really thought he was “cool”.   The Workhouse Arts Center is truly a must see by all. 

- Webelos Den Leader, Bob Gilmore

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