MPA’s history dates back to 1962 with the founding of the Emerson Gallery by a small group of women artists. Its purpose was to provide exhibition space for artists and to bring a continuing body of high quality artwork to the community. In an effort to relocate and develop into a highly professional visual arts organization, MPA was incorporated in 1984 to activate plans for a permanent facility in the community. Through the cooperation of the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, the McLean Community Center Governing Board and MPA, an agreement was reached to establish MPA’s new visual arts center. The result is our current permanent facility: a 2,400 square foot white-box gallery, adjacent Atrium Gallery and Ramp Gallery, and a 1,600 square foot art studio located in the McLean Community Center. MPA’s gallery space opened to the public in 1990 and the Susan B. DuVal Art Studio opened for classes in 2000. A new entrance to the galleries was dedicated in 2005.
