By Maureen Schweers
Alexandria, VA – Get ready for Del Ray’s biggest celebration of art, music, food, and community! Art on the Avenue returns Saturday, Oct. 3, transforming Mount Vernon Avenue into a vibrant outdoor festival featuring 350+ artists, four stages of live music, free crafts for kids, international food, the beloved pie-baking contest, and more.
Meet the Alexandria-based artists making their Art on the Avenue debut in 2026 – from an Alexandria City High School drum major to a 45-year veteran of arts education, plus neighbors turning a new passion into a side hustle:
Sheila Bailey, A Basket Case
A life-long sewist since age 8, Sheila Bailey found her niche in basket-making, creating rope baskets on a sewing machine. “Beautiful fabric and colors are my inspiration,” said Bailey. “I often sit down with an idea and end up with a completely different final product.” Many of her baskets are made from repurposed clothes; she also creates custom memory baskets for customers using sentimental pieces of clothing from their loved one.
Zoe Foster, The Puffin Muffin
thepuffinmuffin.etsy.com
A self-taught 3D designer/maker, Alexandria City High School senior Zoe Foster has it all – tech savvy, creativity, and an entrepreneurial spirit, plus some cute inspiration – her guinea pigs, who have over 20,000 followers on Instagram. “I created and sold 3D printed items to the guinea pig community, as I knew that there was a high demand for guinea pig products but very few available,” said Foster. “I quickly discovered how much I loved making items that bring people joy. I have created lots of other cute items, such as animal planters and glasses trays, all with the hopes of bringing smiles to people’s faces.” When she’s not at her 3D printer, you’ll find her on the ladder as one of the two drum majors for the ACHS marching band.
Georgia Harlow, Georgia Harlow Art
Georgia Harlow specializes in oil paintings and charcoal sketches, drawing her inspiration from nature – especially the Blue Ridge mountains and Virginia wildlife. “I like to say I paint my world with the color of optimism,” said Harlow. “I focus on what I love and that makes me happy!”
Nick Meakrase, Fairyton Garden Works
fairyton-garden-works.square.site
During his family’s hunt for fairy doors on a trip to New Zealand, Nick Meakrase was inspired to start building fairy houses using wood and woodland findings such as rocks, bamboo, and other dried vegetation, as well as other recycled materials such as pottery or bricks. He chronicles the stories of Fairyton Township. “What corner of my brain was responsible for a talent that was basically unknown or unrealized until I was 60 years old?” said Meakrase, an IT project manager and former military linguist. “My wife and others have asked about the origins of the concept, creativity, or skill set. I just shrug and say that I’m really not sure.”
Tiara Safić-Martin, Tiara Safić-Martin Art
www.TiaraSaficMartin.com
Tiara Safic-Martin is a Bosnian-American artist who has showcased her work in both the U.S. and in Bosnia, and enjoys live painting at events. Drawing her inspiration from travels and nature, she specializes in acrylic and watercolor landscapes, as well as whimsical pen drawings – with one unique rule. “I never use black in my paintings,” she said. “The darkest color I use is a midnight blue.”
Ann Tannous, Ann Tannous Art
anntannous.com
Moving to Alexandria at the onset of the pandemic was isolating, but Tannous, a pediatrician, eventually found community in The Art League of Alexandria. “I started to take classes and formed a tight-knit group of friends and mentors who paint with me all over the East Coast including Shenandoah National Park, Philadelphia, and our own waterfront,” said Tannous. Look for her around Alexandria, as she primarily paints en plein air – “from the scenic hills of Italy, the manicured lawns of England, and the untamed wilderness of my front yard,” she said.
Shaoping Zeng, Shaoping Art
Zeng.gallery
Known for his skill in sketching and oil painting, Shaoping Zeng is an artist and educator with over 45 years of experience in the arts. He founded the Changsha HongJing Art School in 2014, where he has dedicated himself to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of artists. “Whether capturing the quiet majesty of a mountain range, the intimate details of everyday objects, or the grandeur of built structures, I seek to express the harmony between nature and humanity through my brushstrokes,” said Zeng.
Art on the Avenue takes place on Saturday, Oct. 3, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Mount Vernon Avenue between Hume and Bellefonte Avenues, featuring over 350 artists, four stages of live music, free children’s crafts, international food, a pie baking contest, and more. The event is free and open to all. Free trolley transportation will be provided from Braddock Road and Potomac Yard Metros; a bike valet is also available at Mount Vernon & Hume Avenues. For more information, visit www.artontheavenue.org.
Art In Every Space – And On The Avenue!
This summer, Mayor Alyia Gaskins launched her Art in Every Space initiative, which places original artwork by Alexandria-based artists in non-traditional spaces, including offices, gyms, and breweries. Check out these Art on the Avenue artists in local businesses throughout Alexandria as part of Art in Every Space, then meet them at Art on the Avenue on Oct. 3:
Amber Bryson, Dope Focus Art
Art in Every Space location: Cameron Cafe
Brad Fiscus, Fiscus Glassworks
Art in Every Space locations: Good Spirit Cafe, Pawsh Dog Wash, and Goodwin Living
Kara Macek, Kara Macek Watercolors
Art in Every Space location: Goodwin Living
Tiara Safić-Martin, Tiara Safić-Martin Art
Art in Every Space location: River Grove Therapy
Del Ray Docket
Sept. 4-26
Celebrating Hispanic Heritage: Voices Through Visuals
Del Ray Artisans Gallery, 2704 Mount Vernon Avenue
Through a diverse range of media and perspectives, the exhibit explores themes such as heritage, migration, family, cultural pride, and transformation.
Sept. 5, 12, 19, 26
Del Ray Farmers’ Market
The Pat Miller Neighborhood Square, Oxford & Mount Vernon Avenues
8 a.m. to 12 p.m.
This year-round market features fruits and vegetables, meat, poultry, fish, eggs, cheeses, bread, fresh pasta, baked goods, cut flowers, and more.
Sept. 12
Del Ray Vintage & Flea Market
Mount Vernon & East Bellefonte Avenues
9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Find your treasure! Shop 70+ vendors selling vintage, antique, thrift, artisan goods, and more. For more information, visit delrayvintageflea.com.
Sept. 12
Del Ray Artisans’ HalloWEIRD Art Market
Colasanto Park, Mount Vernon & Commonwealth Avenues
10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Join the Del Ray Artisans for a Halloween-themed outdoor art market offering a wide range of original artwork including ceramics, fiber, jewelry, mixed media, paper, photography, and more.
Sept. 19
Gustave Oktoberfest
2213 Mount Vernon Avenue
12 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
Celebrate Oktoberfest with European brews and bites, live music, games and petting zoo for kids, and a traditional Keg Tapping and Stein Holding Contest.
Sept. 19
Cinema Del Ray
Mount Vernon Recreation Center fields, at Mount Vernon Ave. and Commonwealth Ave.
Dusk
Join The Jen Walker Team for Back to the Future under the stars. The movie starts at dusk and is free and open to all.
Sept. 27
Run! Geek! Run!
Start/finish at George Washington Middle School, 1005 Mt Vernon Avenue
8:30 a.m.
Presented by Ironistic, Run! Geek! Run! is an annual 5K run and 1K kids’ fun run that raises money to support a local charity; this year’s beneficiary is The Scholarship Fund of Alexandria. Visit rungeekrun.com for more information and to register.
Oct. 3
Art on the Avenue
Along Mount Vernon Avenue
10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Art on the Avenue, Del Ray’s signature arts festival, features over 350 artists, live music, international food, children’s activities, a pie baking contest, and more. The event is free and open to all; trolley transportation available from Potomac Yard and Braddock Road Metro. For more information, visit www.artontheavenue.org.
