Art Under the Oaks Grows Up

Story and photos by Elaine Anne Watt

Back in the days before Artists in Middleburg (AiM) became a nonprofit, Sandy Danielson had investigated the possibility of having an artists’ tent at the Upperville Colt and Horse Show.  The cost seemed prohibitive, but the idea of showcasing artists and promoting arts in our community remained on the minds of Barbara Sharp, Barbara Roux and others.

Just three short years ago, a limited program on Grand Prix Sunday for both adults and young children was started, Art Under the Oaks, adding another exciting feature to the historic character of the UCHS, wherein talented local artists work to encourage expression in all who are interested. Last year saw the program grow to have its first official tent on the grounds, and this year, they were thrilled to have a large tent sponsored through the generosity of Fuog/Interbuild, a local construction company specializing in hunt country structures, state-of-the-art stables and commercial buildings such as the Mt. Defiance Cidery Barn just outside the town limits of Middleburg.

The program was supposed to have run from Thursday through Sunday, but “the children just started coming on Wednesday while we were setting up, and they did some wonderful things,” said Sharp.

Besides Danielson and Sharp, the talented instructors this year included Daryll Kingan, Gail Maslyk, Kerry Waters, Patty Craighill and Marci Nadler, all giving generously of their time and skills to share their love of art and the creative process with others.

“It’s so important for kids especially to have this wonderful opportunity to continue their artistic pursuits in an unexpected venue,” said Danielson. “They get to try painting, drawing, canvasses, charcoal—they can go home with a beautiful canvas bag of their own design to remember this experience.”

Sharp mentioned how appreciative many of the younger participants are to have something of their own to make memories of Upperville. “A lot of them have siblings who are riders, and this gives them something special of their very own, a positive experience with nature and animals, the chance to express themselves and be encouraged that they can do it,” said Sharp.

As you can imagine, none of the artists or students lacked for enthusiasm or engagement.  One of the favorite things I heard was Sharp telling one of the teenagers to try “holding up your fingers, looking through them and squinting your eyes, and you’ll have a painting.” Through some long, hot days, the volunteers enjoyed every moment of sharing their ideas and techniques with young and old.

“If you give them the ability to interpret an object, that’s a skill they can take with them for the rest of their lives,” said Sharp.

Last year, all the children received a sketchpad to take home with them, but this year drawings, paintings and canvas bags had to suffice.

Just before I had to leave for the day, Jennifer Martin arrived with her equestrian daughter, Katelyn, and a friend that they had brought along for the trip to Upperville. From Virginia Beach, Katelyn had loved Art Under the Oaks so much last year that she “had been thinking about it for the last 11 months.”

Katelyn enticed her friend Alex Wetherbee to come this year because of the promise of Art Under the Oaks and “to also see me compete in large ponies, but it was really about the art, I think,” said Katelyn.

As I left, the girls were all smiles and debating choosing to paint horses over designs for their canvas bags. What fun, and how important is it to be able to provide such an enriching cultural experience for those who visit our community! ML