Stacy Kelly

Storms, Anacari

Still Meadows Boutique

Mixed Media

I am a flower preservation artist working primarily in resin, creating functional and decorative works from real botanicals gathered from weddings, memorials, and other meaningful occasions. My pieces include display blocks, trays, bookends, clocks, tables, jewelry, and other keepsake forms intended to preserve both the natural beauty of the flowers and the personal histories they represent.

Each work is designed and made entirely by hand, with careful attention to the color, form, and character of the original blooms. Flowers are preserved through a combination of traditional drying and pressing methods alongside contemporary botanical preservation techniques, then arranged into finished compositions. Depending on scale and complexity, the full process of preservation, assembly, curing, and finishing can take 6–18 weeks. Larger works may also incorporate handcrafted wooden bases.

My work is informed by the long tradition of botanical preservation and sentimental decorative arts in 18th- and 19th-century America. During the colonial and Victorian periods, flowers were commonly pressed, dried, and kept as memorial objects, personal keepsakes, and elements of domestic decorative craft. Natural resins, varnishes, and pine-derived pitches were also widely used in early American craftsmanship for sealing, finishing, and protecting handmade objects. My work continues within this lineage of material preservation and memory-keeping, translating historic practices of botanical keepsakes into contemporary form.

Just as flowers have long been used to mark affection, remembrance, and significant life events, my work seeks to preserve those fleeting natural moments as lasting objects of memory through contemporary botanical artistry.

stillmeadowsboutique.com

McGuire, Michael

Michael McGuire Handcrafted Furniture

Furniture

My appreciation for furniture began at a young age. My parents were antique dealers, and my father, Jack, restored Early American Shaker and period furniture. Through him, I learned about proportion, traditional joinery, and furniture styles, developing skills that would later shape my career.

My career as a furniture maker and designer began after graduating from the University of Vermont with a degree in Art History and Studio Art. I specialize in Period Furniture from Shaker, Hepplewhite, Sheraton and Modern Pieces. Authentic Shaker is a passion and I also make Shaker inspired furniture.

MichaelMcGuirehandcraftedfurniture.com

Short, Lisa

L.T. Short Folkart and Fraktur

Paper

I am a self-taught artist inspired by the folk art traditions of rural Pennsylvania, specializing in hand-inked and painted fraktur and decorative furniture based on historic examples. My work reflects years of study and a deep appreciation for Pennsylvania German art, and I have been listed in Early American Life’s Directory of Traditional American Crafts since 2000.

I create reproduction representations of Fraktur drawings inspired by 18th- and early 19th-century Pennsylvania German reference materials. Each piece begins with a careful pencil sketch derived from period sources. I then outline and embellish the design using a traditional metal nib pen and India ink. For authenticity, I work on laid-finish paper that closely resembles early Fraktur examples, which I hand-antique to achieve an aged appearance. The finished drawings are painted with watercolors in keeping with historic techniques and materials.

The frames are an integral part of each work. They are handmade by a local cabinetmaker and purchased unpainted, allowing me to finish them using traditional 18th-century grain-painting techniques. This process involves applying a glaze over a base coat and manipulating it into wood-grain patterns using tools such as feathers, putty, torn paper, and other simple implements. I use two period-appropriate glaze methods: one made with vinegar and dry pigment, and another using oil paint. Some frames are further embellished with stenciling or hand-painting. Each frame requires a minimum of six layers to achieve the desired depth and character. Whenever possible, I use antique or reproduction glass to complete the presentation.

http://ltshort.com

Main Stage Spotlight: A Weekend of Folk, Dance, and Americana

The Main Stage at the 81st Waterford Fair will come alive with music, song, and dance from some of the region’s most talented performers. Here’s a closer look at the groups and artists bringing their talents to this year’s Fair.

Old Dominion Chorus — Friday 11:00 am

Based in Leesburg, the Old Dominion Chorus is Loudoun County’s premier men’s a cappella group and a proud chapter of the Barbershop Harmony Society. Known for everything from doo-wop to gospel, they bring familiar favorites to life with rich harmonies and infectious energy. You may have seen them around town at First Fridays or community events — their mission is simple: to share the joy of singing and make the world a happier place, one smile at a time.

Kate MacLeod & Paul Hammerton — Friday 12:30 pm & 2:30 pm, Sunday 12:30 pm & 2:30 pm

Award-winning musicians Kate MacLeod and Paul Hammerton blend guitar, fiddle, and mountain dulcimer into a sound that bridges folk traditions with fresh originals. Recently named Best of the West by Folk Alliance International, Kate also brought home a blue ribbon at the Appalachian Stringband Festival in 2025. Together, the duo offers audiences music rooted in tradition but alive with contemporary creativity.

George Jackson & Brad Kolodner — Friday 1:30 pm & 3:30 pm

Clawhammer banjoist Brad Kolodner has carved a national reputation as both a performer and a radio host, carrying forward the folk traditions he grew up with. He’s toured widely, released chart-topping albums, and helped spark a vibrant Old-Time scene in Baltimore. Paired with acclaimed fiddler George Jackson, the duo delivers old-time tunes with technical brilliance and a contagious joy that’s sure to get toes tapping.

Celtic Rhythm School of Dance — Saturday 11:00 am. Celebrating 25 Years at the Fair!

A Fair favorite for a quarter century, the Celtic Rhythm School of Dance is celebrating 25 years of dazzling performances at Waterford. With lively steps and intricate rhythms, these young dancers embody the spirit and tradition of Irish step dancing — a show that always delights crowds of all ages.

Down Valley Ramblers — Saturday 12:45 pm & 2:30 pm

The Down Valley Ramblers bring the heart of bluegrass to the Main Stage with their spirited picking and soulful harmonies. Known throughout the region for their traditional sound and warm stage presence, they keep audiences smiling and feet moving with every set.

Furnace Mountain Trio — Saturday 1:30 pm & 3:15 pm

Hailing from the Shenandoah Valley, Furnace Mountain is known for taking Appalachian traditions in bold new directions. With bass, fiddle, mandolin, and bouzouki, their music can be raucous and foot-stomping or hauntingly poetic. They’ve performed everywhere from the banks of the Yangtze River to the Shenandoah, but they remain a beloved Virginia treasure.

Dance Academy of Loudoun — Sunday 11:00 am

The Dance Academy of Loudoun brings together talented young dancers from across the county for a performance filled with grace, energy, and heart. Their students showcase a variety of styles, delighting audiences and inspiring the next generation of performers.

Chatham Rabbits Duo — Sunday 1:30 pm & 3:30 pm

Husband-and-wife team Sarah and Austin McCombie of Chatham Rabbits have built a loyal following with their heartfelt Americana sound. Their songs are rooted in North Carolina’s old-time traditions, but their newest album, Be Real with Me, shows a band maturing, evolving, and writing with raw honesty. The result is music that is tender, joyful, and unafraid to wrestle with life’s contradictions.

From soaring harmonies and fiddle tunes to Irish dance, bluegrass, and fresh Americana, this year’s Main Stage lineup promises moments you won’t forget.

Click here to see the full line up of entertainment at the Fair!

Kulbeth, David

Columbus Cartography

Paper

I create modern geography maps with a traditional, antique look. My maps are hand-designed, etched, printed and watercolored using traditional 16^th-19^th century copperplate etching and cartographic techniques. I print on custom, hand-laid paper made from natural cotton and abacá fibers. I include illustrations to help visualize the modern places, natural landscapes, and historical influences which give meaning and influence to the local geography. I do my own research and meet with local people making sure what they know and are familiar with is represented on the map.

These maps are originals. They’re not replications of antique maps, but I do try to incorporate similar styles and methods of previous time periods.

columbuscartography.com

O’Mara, Kade

Eldara Origins

Jewelry

My art is rooted in history and the natural world around us. As a traditional silversmith, I create handcrafted jewelry using centuries old techniques and artistry. Most of my projects include repousse, etching, sand casting, and traditional chain work.

Much like the world around us, my work emphasizes the beauty of the asymmetrical and unique. When I create my pieces I want to make something of the utmost craftsmanship, elegance, and a one of a kind piece of art you can wear.

Instagram

2025 Fine Art Judge Jordan Xu

We are pleased to announce that portrait painter Jordan Xu will be judging our fine art entries this year!

Jordan began studying portrait painting at the Art League School in historic Alexandria, Virginia in 2002. Over the years, he has developed a distinctive style that combines classical realism with vibrant colors and broad, expressive brushwork. His award-winning works have been exhibited in galleries and institutions including the Alexandria Art League Gallery, Cooley Gallery, Artsquare Gallery, and the USDA building, and have been featured in online publications such as City Lifestyle Magazine.

Portraiture remains Jordan’s primary focus, as he is fascinated by the human spirit. He strives to capture the story, joy, affections, fear, anger, and all the qualities that make us human. He also enjoys depicting people in their “natural habitat,” whether it’s their favorite room, sport, book, or travel destination.

In addition to painting, Jordan is an avid musician, playing violin and banjo. He has also created a series of portraits of musicians, from bluegrass jams to concert performances.

His work can be viewed at jordanxu.com.

A Brief History of Waterford

Waterford was settled in 1733 by Amos Janney, a Quaker from Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Janney was soon followed by others and Waterford became the thriving center of a community of small farms. Because the Quakers were grain farmers, a grist mill was very important to them, and the first settlement included a mill near the site of the present structure with a few houses clustered nearby. The settlement that would become Waterford grew around Janney’s Mill. From the 1760s onward, Presbyterians, Methodists and Baptists would also establish a presence here.

A few residents took part in the Revolutionary War; surprisingly, not all Quakers who saw service contrary to the Quaker principles on nonviolence were read out of Meeting. After the Revolution, Waterford grew rapidly with a wide variety of businesses, and by the 1830s, Joseph Martin’s Gazeteer wrote:

“Waterford contains 70 dwelling houses, 2 houses of public worship, 1 free for all denominations, the other a Friends’ meeting house, 6 mercantile stores, 2 free schools, 4 taverns, a manufacturing flour mill, and 1 saw, grist and plaister mill, and (in the vicinity) 2 small cotton manufactories. The mechanics are 1 tanner, 2 house joiners, 2 cabinet makers, 1 chair maker and painter, 1 boot and shoe manufacturer, 2 hatters, 1 tailor, &c. Population about 400 persons, of whom 2 are regular physicians.”

Villagers even produced Shakepeare plays for local audiences.

The Quakers were joined by Scotch-Irish craftsmen from Pennsylvania who were responsible for much of the construction of the village.

While some early residents were slaveholders, the fact that Waterford had a thriving antebellum free Black community was unusual for pre-Civil War Virginia. Waterford’s Quaker roots and the abolitionist sentiments of most Quakers may have encouraged Black settlement here.

By the time of the Civil War, most Waterfordians strongly opposed secession, a stand extremely unpopular among the majority in Loudoun County. For most of the war, the Waterford area was a no-man’s land that neither Federals nor Confederates were able to control for long. As a result of Confederate harassment, miller Samuel Means formed the Independent Loudoun Rangers, the only organized cavalry troop in Virginia to fight for the Union.

In 1871, the railroad was extended from Leesburg to Clarke’s Gap (where Routes 7 and 9 meet) thus bypassing Waterford. The philosophical isolation so obvious during the war was succeeded by a geographic isolation as commercial centers easily reached by rail took business away from Waterford. By the time of the Depression, many of the buildings had deteriorated badly. In the 1930s, brothers Edward and Leroy Chamberlin, descendants of several old Waterford families, began to restore buildings in town and, in 1943, the Waterford Foundation was formed. This provided an impetus for residents, old and new, to work to preserve the village.

Today, Waterford’s buildings and rolling fields look much as they did 200 years ago. The village is a Loudoun County Historic and Cultural Conservation District. In 1970, the entire village with the farmland surrounding it was designated a National Historic Landmark.