ArtsFairfax has unveiled the 2025 recipients of its annual awards, which will be given out this fall in a new location.
The 2025 ArtsFairfax Awards will honor a local arts teacher and supporters of Fairfax County’s artistic community on Oct. 24 at the Hyatt Regency Reston (1800 Presidents Street) — a change in venue after four consecutive years at Capital One Hall in Tysons.
ArtsFairfax President and CEO Stuart Holt says the Reston hotel will offer more space for the awards ceremony, which has “sold out these last couple of years.”
“For 2025, we sought a venue that would allow us to welcome more arts supporters to our annual fundraiser,” Holt said in a statement to FFXnow. “It is the only event in town specifically recognizing Countywide contributions to the arts, and as interest in arts support grows in our community, we want to grow in our capacity.”
The need to rally local support for the arts will likely taken on more urgency in the coming years, as the federal government slashes funding, cuts that are already starting to hit organizations in the D.C. area — including ArtsFairfax.
A nonprofit designated as Fairfax County’s official arts agency, ArtsFairfax offers grants and other resources to individual artists as well as arts and culture groups, such as orchestras, theaters and art galleries. Its annual awards serve as a fundraiser, in addition to spotlighting people and organizations that have made notable contributions to the community.
This year’s ArtsFairfax Awards ceremony will include a reception and luncheon, with the Reston Community Center (RCC) serving as its visionary sponsor.
“Having arts in our lives allows us to share our humanity and we need that now more than ever,” RCC Board of Governors Chair Bev Cosham said in a press release. “Our organization supports ArtsFairfax through this annual celebration of philanthropy and great arts achievement because we believe that the creative work of these artists lifts our spirits through difficult times. We congratulate the awardees and thank all the artists and arts supporters who make Fairfax County such a special place to live and work.”
The 2025 honorees will be led by retired U.S. Air Force General Lester L. Lyles, who will receive the Jinx Hazel Award for supporting the Wolf Trap Foundation for the Performing Arts for 20 years.
An advocate for arts education, particularly as a means of also fostering students’ interest in science, math, technology and engineer, Lyles has served a variety of roles with the Wolf Trap Foundation, according to ArtsFairfax:
General Lyles served on Wolf Trap’s Foundation Board from 2008-2017 and has been a member of Wolf Trap’s Advisory Council since 2024. He has given his time and expertise in many leadership roles while on the Wolf Trap Foundation Board: Vice Chairman/Secretary for three years, and most notably as Chair of the Education Committee for five years. He also served on the Executive and Nominating Committees. Further, General Lyles and his wife, Mina, have co-chaired the annual Wolf Trap Ball and have served on the Host Committee of the Ball for over a decade.
“As an engineer and scientist, I am endlessly fascinated with how the principles of STEM relate to the arts,” Lyles said in the press release. “While we cannot all be excellent artists or musicians, we should never underestimate the tremendous values of supporting and appreciating those who are!”
The other ArtsFairfax Awards winners will be:
- Philanthropy Award: Tim Rizer, former chair of the Workhouse Arts Foundation, has also become the Lorton organization’s longest-serving board member and one of its biggest donors.
- Impact Award: The Iranian American Community Center, also known as Pars Place, hosts exhibitions, musical performances and other cultural events at its 9,000-square-foot facility in Tysons.
- Education Award: In addition to being an artist himself, Marco Rando is a founding board member of Public Art Reston, and he teaches art and design at South Lakes High School, where he leads a STEAM Public Art Program. Students in the program regularly contribute installations to Reston’s Lake Thoreau.
Tickets and sponsorships for the 2025 ArtsFairfax Awards are now available online.
