2026 Demonstrating Artisan

Foster, Jackson

J. Foster Historic Signs

Wood

Jackson Foster is a maker and painter of trade & tavern signs in the tradition of 18th and 19th-century artisans. His research of historic people and places is the rationale for the majority of his signs. His background in history, design, lettering, and woodworking provides the basis for creating authentic interpretations of early American signboards. He uses reclaimed wood–some boards date to the 1700s–and period-style hardware including
blacksmith-forged hanging irons, nails, and hinges—all making for unique signs in which no two are alike. He continues to refine his craft through research of early American artisans, typographic styles, painting practices, and joinery techniques. Each sign purchase comes with a framed, historic description providing research and background information.

jfosterhistoricsigns.com

Kara, John

Kara Wood Designs

Wood

Kara Wood Designs has been creating wonderful woodwork for over 20 years. All of the shapes and patterns are original designs done by John Kara. The business started in the early 1990’s and consisted strictly of collapsible baskets. Years later, John got the idea to angle-cut different shapes such as angels, trees and crosses. We work in an individual studio where we use hardwoods and laminations of hardwoods to make the artwork.

KaraWoodDesigns.com

Grabman, Marie-Helene

Marie-Helene Grabman

Mixed media

Using surgical scissors, I create cut paper designs from a single sheet of black or white paper, creating the dramatic effect of light versus dark with small bits of color (painted or cut paper) for focal points. A few of my designs have added layers of cut paper over the base cutting to create a dimensional effect.

The art is called “scherenschnitte”–or scissor cutting, a very old art form that developed in Switzerland and Germany in the 1500’s. The process is like woodcutting: you start with a blank resource and create the art by cutting parts of it away. Precision is paramount and it demands full concentration. Many of the cut lines are no thicker than thread-width. The paper is attached to the base mat with only small dots of glue so that the cutting floats within the frame, creating shadows. I feel this is an important part of the composition and it also works to identify the paper cutting from a pen and ink work or print.

Kid Friendly! Watch as a cutting is started then take it home and finish it yourself. Learn about the history of this almost lost art.

scissorcutter.com

Gladfelter, Kimberly & Bob

Poplar Hollow Studio

Mixed Media

Unique and One of a Kind mixed media folk art is created primarily with gourds, which have been cultivated for both functional and decorative purposes for thousands of years. Many of the gourds we use are grown on our Pennsylvania family farm circa 1886. We hand-select each gourd studying its shape and texture to determine what it wants to be; no two gourds are alike. Our artistic vision draws inspiration from life on the farm where the changing seasons, an affinity for treasures from a bygone era and cherished holiday traditions are all celebrated in our work.

We have been creating our gourd folk art for almost 20 years and various techniques are used. Often the gourd serves as a natural canvas with layers of paint, attention to detail and a multi-step antiquing process bringing the piece to life. In other instances, hand-sculpted paper clay and wood are thoughtfully combined with the gourd creating a natural synergistic composition which is then ready for painting and antiquing. A third technique is carving and/or pyroengraving (burning) the gourd using translucent ink dyes for color. Together the combined techniques produce distinctive folk art pieces that are imaginative, whimsical and festive.

PoplarHollowStudio.net

Dabbs, Laurel

Wood

Crudely fashioned or exquisitely detailed, decoys provided a means of luring migratory waterfowl close enough to be an important staple in the diet of the Colonists, whose early years were harsh before crops became established. Dabbs’ gunning decoys start as eight-foot planks of white cedar, winter-cut and air-dried for at least two years. Sitting on a carving bench, she demonstrates every technique in a step-by-step process that shows a decoy’s progress from start to finish. Using antique handtools (a hatchet, mallet and gouge, spokeshave and carving knife), the head is doweled for strength before being attached to the hollowed-out body. Durable house paint assures a sturdy finish that stands up to the rigors of field use, and inletted lead makes sure the decoy self-rights in choppy water or sits nicely on a mantel. The tradition and history of the work are as important as the style and form of Dabbs’ carvings, as each decoy must be seaworthy and durable, as well as beautiful.

laureldabbs.com

Jeffords, Barbara

Mixed Media

Art has been a part of Jeffords’ life since she was a child watching her father paint. He instilled a love of the beauty of nature and the simple things in life that mean so much to all of us. She has been painting professionally for around twenty years. Growing up in a rural setting with farms and glorious beauty of the seasons is what inspires her paintings. It’s fun to bring the beauty of the countryside and maybe an untold story of an old house or barn to life! Jeffords always has a story in mind behind the landscape and people in her art. Her hope is that the artwork will bring you to another place. A place where you can feel the breeze in the fields, the comfort and warmth of another time and the contentment of “Home”.

Kid Friendly! Children can watch Barbara as she shows them how to take basic shapes and turn them into animals.

facebook.com/Barbara-Jeffords

Waterford Quilters Guild

Fiber/Textiles

The Waterford Quilters Guild of Waterford, VA creates an original quilt to be raffled off each year at the Waterford Fair. The quilt is hand or machine pieced by the members of the guild and is hand or machine quilted. The proceeds are used toward preserving the tradition of quilting and to promote knowledge and understanding regarding the art of quilting. The Quilters range from traditional to modern quilting techniques. They also support various causes in the Town of Waterford.

WaterfordQuiltersGuild.org

Hazelton, Carolyn

Hooked By Lynn

Fiber/Textiles

Hazelton’s hooked rugs are all her own original designs. Inspirations come from antique quilts, tole trays, weather vanes, photos, geometric patterns and creative imagining. All rugs are hooked on new linen.

HookedbyLynn.com