[Congressional Record Volume 169, Number 109 (Thursday, June 22, 2023)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E600]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




      RECOGNIZING THE 50TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE TEPHRA INSTITUTE OF 
                            CONTEMPORARY ART

                                 ______
                                 

                        HON. GERALD E. CONNOLLY

                              of virginia

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 22, 2023

  Mr. CONNOLLY. Mr. Speaker, I rise to recognize Tephra Institute of 
Contemporary Art (ICA) on the occasion of its 50th anniversary. This 
non-profit endeavor was founded in Reston, Virginia as the Greater 
Reston Arts Center (GRACE) in 1974 to showcase the phenomenal talent of 
Northern Virginia.
  Tephra ICA works with artists, galleries, institutions, thought 
leaders, and collectors around the globe to promote creativity and the 
generation of ideas and growth that the arts can facilitate. They are 
committed to promoting innovative contemporary art and innovative 
thinking to accompany it. By building intimate connections between 
artists and audiences, including insights into the creative processes 
by which this art comes to be, Tephra ICA is able to extend their 
impact beyond the museum itself and instill these values into the 
Northern Virginia community at large.
  Northern Virginia is one of the culturally richest and most diverse 
regions of the Nation, and Tephra ICA seeks to illuminate that 
diversity. They curate globally conscious experiences that seek to 
contextualize artists' work in the historical and cultural canon from 
which they are derived, simultaneously promoting contemporary artists, 
and deepening their audience's understanding of artistic movements 
altogether.
  The organization recently rebranded as Tephra ICA to emphasize their 
growing audience beyond just the Reston Town Center, including Fairfax 
County and the Greater Washington Metropolitan Area. The word tephra 
means ``matter ejected from geothermal eruptions settling upon and 
changing the landscape.'' I cannot think of a more fitting name for 
this institute, which seeks to showcase the eruption of talent in the 
region and reshape perceptions of art for tens of thousands of 
visitors, both in person and online.
  Of particular importance to the community is Tephra ICA's annual Arts 
Festival, a celebration in which contemporary artists from across the 
country can present their original work to festival audiences. This is 
one of the most exciting and unique events of the year, and one to 
which thousands of my constituents and I look forward to. The 
individual and group experiences, performances, and special events 
exemplify Tephra ICA's commitment to the cultural education and 
enrichment of our community.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask my colleagues to join me in congratulating the 
Tephra Institute of Contemporary Art on its 50th anniversary and in 
recognizing the visionaries and leaders who help to make our Northern 
Virginia communities rich with cultural opportunities.

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