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Unique Ice Cream to Be Part of ‘Artfest' Celebrationby KRISTEN ARMSTRONG, Staff Writer) |
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| Artwork by more than 30 local
and regional artists will be on display at the inaugural McLean Project
for the Arts (MPA) artfest on Sunday, Oct. 14, but one “piece” is a
little different from the rest of them. It's “ Berry Artsy,” a limited-edition ice cream made especially for the event. “Ice cream is my art, and dairy is my medium,” said Moorenko's Ice Cream Café owner Susan Soorenko, who created the artfest's official ice cream flavor. Based on the festival's logo (an orange, red and purple tree painted in watercolor by local artist Lori Wiseman), Berry Artsy is an orange-flavored ice cream with strawberries and blueberries mixed in. “We were trying to figure out how to make it special,” Soorenko said. “We loved the logo and figured how we could re-create the colors.” Inventing flavors is nothing new for Soorenko, who tries to come up with a unique ice cream concoction each week. She also lets customers come in and create their “dream flavor,” which she also features as the weekly special. Bery Artsy will be available at Moorenko's during the days leading up to the artfest, and will be sold all day at the event. Choosing a local ice cream shop to create the artfest's official ice cream was a logical choice for MPA, because bringing the business community and McLean residents together through the arts is one of its main goals. “MPA has relationships with businesses because it's part of our mission to educate the public about the arts,” said MPA executive director Nancy Perry. “We're bringing all the arts together, and connecting the community.” Soorenko said she is happy to play a part in MPA's efforts, because they line up with her own approach to her business. “To have an artfest is tremendous in terms of fostering cohesion in the neighborhood,” she said. “That's what [Moorenko's] is all about.” In addition to Moorenko's Ice Cream Café, MPA has the support of numerous corporate sponsors and more than 100 volunteers. With their help, the festival will offer a children's art tent, where young artists will be able to create their own works of art; an art walk featuring the work of more than 150 students from McLean-area schools; live musical performances; and the opportunity to purchase artwork from local artists. Perry said she invites residents of McLean of all ages (and any other art lovers) to come. And for the 1,000 to 2,000 people Perry hopes to have attend, Soorenko will be armed lots of Berry Artsy for everyone to enjoy. “I'll be there scooping with my son!” she said. The MPA artfest will take place on Sunday, Oct. 14 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. at McLean Central Park. For more information, call (703) 790-1953 or see the Web site at www.mpaart.org. |
 Susan Soorenko and Nancy Perry spend a moment with Colin and Tami Dibble and Garrett Whitescarver, who all visited Moorenko’s Ice Cream Caf/ to sample “Berry Artsy.” (Photo by Kristen Armstrong) |