Arts Corner: Midtown Mural, GRACE Exhibit and 'Birdie'

Haven't made it to Greater Reston Arts Center yet this summer? You have about two more weeks to catch the summer solo exhibitions.

Works from Julia Bloom and William Alburger will be on display until Aug. 10.

Both Bloom and Alburger are sculptors who draw their materials and inspiration directly from nature, creating unique - but very different,= - works from salvaged wood. 

Bloom's work is inspired by natural structures in forests. She binds foraged sticks and twigs with manmade wire, using a combination of grids and spirals and sometimes adding color to create standing and suspended sculptures that evoke figures, huts, totems and nests. 

Alburger, a largely self-taught "eco-artist," creates functional objects sculpted from fallen trees and salvaged barn boards. 

Admission to the gallery is free. More info here.

In other arts news:

1. A group of Tibetan monks are in Oakton this week, creating a mystical sand mandala. Check it out here.

2. Reston artist Dan Schuerer is hard at work creating the Midtown Community Mural on New Dominion Drive. The mural will feature a depiction of Reston using the artist's signature bright colors and style.

Stop by to see how such a large work becomes a reality. More info here.

3. Herndon High's The Grand Summer Theatre presents Bye, Bye, Birdie this weekend.

Come see this classic musical about an Elvis-like celebrity who embarks on a huge publicity stunt (kissing a small-town girl "goodbye") before he heads to the army.

Showtimes are Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. Tickets are $10. More info here.

4. This week's Saturday Concert on the Town at Reston Town Center features Incendio, a national Latin guitar world fusion band. The show begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission if free. More info here.