An Evening of Art and Community
MPA’S SPRING BENEFIT RETURNS MAY 7
By Deb Bissen
McLean Project for the Arts (MPA) will host its highly anticipated Spring Benefit on Thursday, May 7, 2026, at the historic Gardens of Hickory Hill, the home of Alan Dabbiere.
Built in the early 1870s, the property carries a remarkable history, having once been home to John and Jackie Kennedy and later to Robert and Ethel Kennedy, making it a fitting setting for an evening dedicated to creativity, culture, and community.
This year’s celebration will also mark an exciting milestone for the organization with the opening of the new Berlage Arts & Education Center, a 6,000-square-foot space located at The Signet in McLean that will expand opportunities for arts education and exhibitions.
Co-chaired by Shannon Burwell and Martha Simons, the evening will honor longtime MPA supporter and board member Bruce Berlage, who will be introduced by Stuart Holt, President and CEO of ArtsFairfax.
Funds raised during the Spring Benefit help support MPA’s mission to educate and inspire the community through contemporary visual arts exhibitions and programs such as MPA ArtReach, which brings art experiences and workshops to Fairfax County Public Schools Title I students and other underserved groups.
MPA Spring Benefit
Thursday, May 7, 2026
7:30 – 9:30 PM
Gardens of Hickory Hill, McLean
For more information or sponsorship opportunities, visit mpaart.org.
