Mission

Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art (Tephra ICA) is a 501c3 non-profit, non-collecting institution committed to promoting innovative contemporary art and thinking. The word “tephra” – matter ejected from geothermal eruptions that lands upon, nourishes, and changes the surrounding environment - emphasizes the institution’s belief in the combustibility of creativity and the generation of ideas and growth that the arts can provide.

We work with artists, galleries, institutions, universities, thought leaders, and collectors globally. We rely on a variety of funding sources for programming, including memberships, sponsorships, grants, donations, and other fundraising efforts.

Anne Smith, A Point of Longing 3, 2020

Mission

Tephra ICA is committed to promoting innovative contemporary art and thinking. Leading with curiosity and care, we are a catalyst, generator, and advocate for visual and interdisciplinary arts.

Vision

By building intimate connections between our audience and contemporary artists, and offering access and insight into creative practices, we aim to extend our impact beyond the gallery walls and into the community. We strive to create forward-leaning experiences that are globally influenced, culturally diverse, and conceptually advanced. Our goal is to thoughtfully contextualize an artist's work in the historical canon and contribute to the public understanding of innovative art of our time.

Values

We believe in illuminating, mirroring, and programming for the fullness of our shared world. Through collaborative and exploratory work, we create opportunity for important, complex dialogue. We are devoted to celebrating artists and value the power of art to generate new ideas and broaden perspectives.

View Tephra ICA's Social and Cultural Equity Commitments Here

Tephra ICA is W.A.G.E. Certified. W.A.G.E. Certification is a national program initiated and operated by W.A.G.E. (Working Artists and the Greater Economy), a New York–based organization founded in 2008 that establishes sustainable economic relationships between artists and institutions by introducing mechanisms for fair compensation. W.A.G.E. publicly recognizes nonprofit arts organizations demonstrating a history of, and commitment to, voluntarily paying artist fees that meet W.A.G.E. minimum payment standards.

Our Story

Formally known as Greater Reston Arts Center (GRACE), the idea of Tephra ICA emerged as the institution’s programs, audience, and impact continued to evolve. We proudly reside in Reston, Virginia, whose founder, Robert E. Simon, insisted that it should be a place welcoming to all people and that it prioritize the arts as essential to a well-rounded life. Founded in 1974 as the Greater Reston Arts Center by local artists and residents committed to those ideas, Tephra ICA embraces the role of helping to fulfill and extend the original Reston vision.

Learn More About Our Rebrand

Video by Studio Sonic

Our Brand Identity Explained

The new visual identity program for Tephra ICA is aesthetically clean, minimal, and contemporary. Created by Ruth Abrahams Design, the logo is formed using a modern and unique sans serif typeface, and a slightly shifted angle. The font and style choice speak to the organization’s core goal within accessibility. The angle, or shifted element signifies a change and a frame for a new way of looking. It captures mission-related themes of combustibility, disruption, and can be viewed as an edge, a dimension, or a window. The brand color is a vibrant green, representing growth, renewal, and the generation of new ideas and perspectives. Together the elements create a fluid dynamic between timeless and contemporary and between a flat plane and depth.

Staff

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Jaynelle Hazard
Executive Director and Curator

Hannah Barco
Associate Curator and Festival Director

Sofia Blom
Gallery and Communications Manager

Em Wang
Education and Public Programs Manager

Board of Directors

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Robert Goudie
Chair
Robert Goudie is the Executive Director of Reston Town Center Association.

Karen Lewis
Vice Chair
Karen Lewis is a Partner & Interior Designer at The M Group Architects.

Stephanie J. Williams
Vice Chair
Stephanie J. Williams is an artist and full time faculty member at Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA).

Jamie Saylor
Treasurer

Members:

Talib Aleem

Ann Barbieri
Ann Barbieri is an artist.

Kerri Bouie
Kerri Bouie is a Partner at Wingate Hughes Architects.

Scott Cryer
Scott Cryer is the Associate Vice President and Principal at HGA.

Kim Denver

Dan Grove
Dan Grove is a freelance multimedia professional and musician.

Ricki Marion
Ricki Marion is a non-profit consultant.

Maryam Ovissi
Maryam Ovissi is the Founder of Beloved Yoga.

Janet Rems
Janet Rems, recently retired, worked four decades as a journalist in New York and Northern Virginia, including as managing editor of the Connection Newspapers, the Times Community Newspapers, and The Fairfax County Times. Janet also freelanced primarily as an arts writer.

Justin Ruble
Justin Ruble is a Senior Property Manager at Boston Properties.

Molly Warnock
Molly Warnock is an art historian and art critic.

Peter Winant
Peter Winant is an artist and Associate Professor at the School of Art at George Mason University.

Advisory Council
Jim Cleveland
Melissa Duenas

Jobs and Internships

Tephra ICA is currently hiring an Advancement Officer and a Summer Camp Instructor.

Tephra ICA offers internships for undergraduate and graduate students. Areas of opportunity include Exhibitions/Gallery Management, Development, and Education. Internships for college credit are welcomed. To apply, please send your resume and cover letter outlining internship to info@tephraica.org.

Kh&aacute;nh H. L&ecirc;, artwork from Day Dreams

Khánh H. Lê, artwork from Day Dreams

Exhibition Proposals

Tephra ICA offers a series of exhibitions each year designed to present a diverse array of themes and media. The curatorial staff selects and schedules all exhibitions. Tephra ICA mounts solo, themed, and juried group exhibitions, which may be proposed and organized by Tephra ICA curators, guest curators, and individual artists. Proposals are reviewed on a rolling basis and a response will be sent within 3 months. For questions, please contact Hannah Barco at hbarco@tephraica.org or (703) 471-9242.

Submit Proposal Here

Support

Tephra ICA gratefully acknowledges the generosity of its individual members and donors, state and county grantors, and corporate sponsors. Tephra ICA is supported in part by ArtsFairfax, Reston Community Center, Virginia Commission for the Arts, and the National Endowment for the Arts. For more information on ways to support, click here.

Tephra ICA, a 501(c) (3) non-profit organization, follows a nondiscriminatory policy in admission, programs, membership, employment, and contracts. Our facility is wheelchair accessible.

Annual Report

2020-21 Tephra ICA Annual Report