Children's Activity

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

Bognar, Tom & Carole

Callaway Colonials

Mixed Media

Having an interest in history and art, the Bognars have combined both decorative and utilitarian items from gourds-Folk Art Gourd Pottery. Throughout history there are many references to gourds. As the world’s oldest pottery, they have been used for their functionality as containers of all sorts worldwide. During the fair they will explain the background and historical use of gourds and the preparation of them through cutting and cleaning. A gourd that is planted one year, dries for months, and is ready for use the following year is a unique interest to the public.

The techniques used on their work includes: carving, watercolor, paint, pen & ink, dye work, and wood burning. Our line consists of bowls, baskets, jugs, vases, canisters, pockets, clocks, and pitchers. Designs are inspired by historical motifs, botanical/nature, graphics, and seasonal.

Bognars gourd work has been featured in magazines, television and part of other quality art events.

Shriver, Alison

Alison Shriver Designs

Mixed Media

Inspired by a collection of early family silhouettes, Shriver began creating silhouette collages incorporating antique papers with original ideas. When creating an original, the hand cut silhouette is the main subject, it is juxtaposed with relevant maps, stamps, antique ledgers & letters, beach collections, fossils, leaves, branches, wax seals, etc.

The silhouette collages are of many different subjects, including sailing ships, antique chairs, tables, dog breeds, cats, tea pots, pitchers, tureens, sea life, birds, butterflies, farm animals, horses, presidents & famous peoples silhouettes.

Shriver has been creating, exhibiting & selling original art around the world for nearly 30 years. The work continues to evolve each year which is extremely rewarding.

AlisonShriver.com

Hollick, Michele

Stenciling by Michele

Mixed Media

Hollick has been making floorcloths for over thirty years. For many years she was one of the judges and later the chairperson for SALI (Stencil Artisan League, now IDAL) and their certification process. They would jury each applicant’s work at an annual convention. Many applied but few passed the rigorous test.

Stenciling is Hollick’s passion. Each time you lift off the stencil it is amazing to see what appears. She loves the work of the early stencilers and has been fortunate to tour homes in New England that have original Moses Eaton and Rufus Porter work. In the past she has been recognized in Early American Life and the top 200 Craftsmen. Her work appears in many magazines and books about decorating homes from the late 1700-early 1800’s. Hollick participates in many shows like the League of NH Craftsmen and sells to places like Colonial Williamsburg.

Hollick has done work for the Franklin Pierce homestead in NH, and Harriet Beecher Stowe house at Bowdin College.

StenciledFloorclothsbyMichele.com

McKellar, Judith

Judith McKellar

Mixed Media

The sculptors of the Renaissance inspired McKellar to major in sculpture in college where she learned both ancient and modern techniques, among them bas relief. Relief means that the subject matter physically stands out from the background in varying heights to simulate atmospheric perspective. Her work emphasizes the natural world, including flora and fauna as well as domestic animals. Each piece is designed, modeled and cast by McKellar personally.

[email protected]

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

Proctor, Jeanne

Needles and Threads

Fiber/Textiles

Proctor thinks of quilts as paintings made of fabric. The technique of quilting layers of fabric to produce bedding, clothing, and even armor can be traced back centuries. She is inspired by early quilt makers who produced functional pieces that were also truly beautiful, often made with scarce or repurposed textiles. The quilts are based on traditional quilt block designs. They may use a variety of fabrics and colors or may be simply two fabrics. Proctor want the quilts to be used. They are not intended to be stashed away and they are not just bed coverings. She uses machine piecing and machine quilting techniques. The fabrics are all cotton and battings are mostly cotton. Her hope is that the quilts are enjoyed by others and that this early American art form is carried forward in future generations.

JeanneProctorQuilts.com

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