Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art (Tephra ICA) presents Emerging Visions, an exhibition featuring work by students participating in Tephra ICA’s signature education program, Emerging Visions. Responding to the institute’s Fall 2023 exhibition, Choosing to Portage, the Emerging Visions exhibition will be on view June 15–July 14.
An opening reception for students, teachers, friends, family, and the public will be held on Saturday, June 15, from 4pm–6pm.
Artwork by Participating Student
Through the Emerging Visions program, Tephra ICA extends its mission beyond the gallery walls, creating opportunities for students to engage with contemporary art in the classroom. Students and educators are invited to participate in this unique, ongoing program designed around Tephra ICA exhibitions or projects.
Each year, Tephra ICA works directly with Fairfax County Public School (FCPS) Art Educators to create an Educator’s Packet that includes themes and supporting concepts to integrate into classroom curriculum for K–12 students. Students and educators are invited to view the featured exhibition and respond to themes by creating their own artworks in a variety of media. Student artwork, as selected by Tephra ICA staff, is exhibited as part of the Emerging Visions exhibition at the gallery each Spring.
This year, Tephra ICA presents its sixth year of the Emerging Visions program featuring artwork by students from Columbia Elementary School, Fairhill Elementary School, Lynbrook Elementary School, Franklin Sherman Elementary School, and Langston Hughes Middle School.
The 2023–24 program is based on Choosing to Portage, an exhibition featuring the work of artists Ashley M. Freeby, Noelle Garcia, Jeff Huckleberry, Jackie Milad, and Michael Rakowitz, who all operate with deep reverence for the embodied knowledge that is passed down through skilled making processes and culturally specific materials.