East Arlington will be Romancing the Square this Valentine’s Day weekend with a series of events that will inspire as much love for your surroundings as for the people who surround you.

Kicking off on Friday, February 12, a series of events and specials in Capitol Square will celebrate the mysteries of love and art. Exhibits will be found in galleries and restaurants and several other venues. Capitol Square, East Arlington’s business district, is a fun destination for great cinema, eclectic shopping, and scrumptious dining. Home to the Arlington Center for the Arts and a flourishing community of creative-minded businesses, Capitol Square nourishes the artistic inclinations in all of us.

The weekend will culminate with a raffle drawing for the “Whole Lotta Love from Capitol Square” gift basket – valued at over $600. Businesses are donating merchandise and gift certificates to the basket, which will be raffled off to benefit the Arlington Center for the Arts. Raffle tickets can be purchased at ACA and at ARTBEAT during the weekend, with the drawing on February 15th.

Activities and Specials: Friday, February 12: 13FOREST Gallery – Alone|Together exhibit Opening Reception 7-9 pm

ARTBEAT – free Valentine craft for kids and adults starting at 4 PM

Artwear – 25% off all jewelry, raffle to win a red floral scarf

Sabatinos – 10% off all dine-in orders

Flora prix fixe menu Candy & Cupcakes at Leader Bank

Saturday, February 13:

ARTBEAT – free Valentine craft all day; Robot Valentine workshop starting at 3 PM

Artwear – 25% off all jewelry, Georgia Gersh trunk show 1-4

Sabatinos – 10% off all dine-in orders Marbella – 50% off cabinets, and free kitchen sink

Flora prix fixe menu

Candy & Cupcakes at Leader Bank

Sunday, February 14:

Sabatinos – 10% off all dine-in orders

ARTBEAT – free make a special Valentine card

Kathmandu Spice – prix fixe menu

Marbella 50% off cabinets, and free kitchen sink

Flora prix fixe menu

Art on display at: 13FOREST Gallery – Alone|Together – new work by Jeff Heyne and Dorothea Van Camp

ARTBEAT – work by local artists

Flora – painting and photography by Lynne Klemmer

Za – new work by Lauren Drake

Alone|Together

Jeffrey P. Heyne & Dorothea Van Camp

Opening Friday, February 12, 2010 at 13Forest

Children come in all colors, and so do our cotton dolls. Every year on Martin Luther King day we hold a very special event in our studio. Kids can choose a 7” stuffed doll body and create a character (person or animal) complete with face, fingernails, and clothes that you have designed.

This project is best for Ages 8 and up (younger with adult help) and costs $18 per doll. If you plan to attend with more than 2 children, please call in advance to reserve a place. more info

Hearts for Little Hands at Artbeat

Little hands (ages 2 – 4) will fashion their own crafts to celebrate Valentines Day, starting this week. Join us in this fun exploration of art materials, and take home something special each week to give or keep as a treasure. One hour session includes craft time and snack.

ARLINGTON Tuesdays 9:30 – 10:30

left:Azzurro, Lauren Drake, gouache on paper, 20" x 15"

Holiday Party! Come celebrate the holiday season with us this Third Thursday (december 17th) from 7-9 pm. drake Azzurro, Lauren Drake, gouache on paper, 27½” x 21½” We coaxed our artists out of the studio and into the kitchen to whip up some tasty treats for our holiday party. We’ll supply the fruit of the vine, the rest is up to them…hope to see you then! brahmer Mystic River Bridge, Geoffrey Brahmer, photograph, 14″ x 18″

More info