This year’s selection process for the 80th Fair’s featured artwork was especially competitive, with sixteen pieces submitted by thirteen incredibly talented artists. We are thrilled to announce that the artist Kathleen Howsare has been chosen for this honor. Her unique collage, composed of acrylic paintings, captures some of the most iconic buildings in the village, making it the perfect representation for this year’s 80th Fair. Join us in congratulating her and read on to get to know more about this wonderful artist!
Kathleen is a Loudoun County artist who has been painting since the age of eight. She grew up in McLean VA and earned a BA in Studio Art and an art teaching degree from Mary Washington College. She taught elementary and middle school art in Virginia in and West Virginia for over 30 years. She holds an MFA in painting from American University. Using acrylics, her paintings are vibrant and light filled. Landscapes, especially trees and water are her favorite subjects.
Showing locally, she has had work displayed and juried into numerous venues, including:
• The Waterford Fine Arts Show, Waterford VA
• Franklin Park Arts Center, Purcellville, VA
• The Barns of Rose Hill, Berryville, VA
• Art at the Mill, Millwood VA
• The Delaplaine, Frederick, MD
• Bath County Art Show, Warm Springs VA 2023
She has received awards in the following juried exhibitions:
• Waterford Fine Arts Show: 2015, 2017, 2018, 2023, 1st place in Acrylics 2019 and 2021 and Best in Show 2022
• Judges Choice Award at Loudoun Arts Council Show “30 Years of Vision”
• Best in Show, Loudoun Sketch Club’s 75th Anniversary Show
• 2nd place in Artists in Middleburg Gallery show, The Light of Day September 2022
• 1st place in category The Most Watery Feeling at Franklin Park Art Center Show: Water and Color, September 2022.
• The Cumberland Valley Artist’s Competition 2023 (juried)
• The Artist’s Gallery, Frederick MD. March 2023 (juried exhibition) )
• Glave Kocen Petite Small Works show January 2024 Richmond VA
• 2nd Annual DMV Juried Exhibition at Calloway Fine Arts and Consulting March 2024 Washington D.C.
Kathleen, we thank you for submitting this wonderful piece and allowing us to use it in celebration of our 80th year!
