Ahead of May Car Festival, Alexandria’s Principle Gallery Hosts Poster Reveal
ALEXANDRIA, VA-If it’s true that beauty lies in the eye of the beholder, then May 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. in Old Town, Alexandria will be a great place to catch a glimpse of it.
In anticipation of that day, on March 19, Principle Gallery on King Street hosted the poster reveal for the big event. The evening honored artist Thomas Kuester. A design professional with an appreciation for exotic cars, he began creating posters for the festival in 2019 after joining a group of local car enthusiasts.
“I love cars. But I love drawing best of all,” he said.
Kuester’s approach to posters is as visually dynamic as the cars themselves. It conveys an exotic immediacy. Eschewing paint brushes, watercolors and oils, Kuester chooses prefers a nontypical product: magic markers.
“I developed my own method,” he explained. “Magic markers are a medium that really only kids use. It’s a great medium but only lasts for a little while. It’s like a snowman that looks great when you build it then starts melting.”
He admitted that is a challenge with markers, so to ensure the posters last, he scans them.
Now in its sixth year, the Old Town Festival of Speed & Style draws visitors from across the country and around the world. Recently the event has become one of the most important in the area, raising significant money for charities and showcasing the beauty and character of Old Town.
Burke & Herbert Bank is again the sponsor this year. Lower King Street and Market Square will be the site of all the action. The festival is free to the public. Everything kicks off with the High Octane Ball on Saturday, May 17 from 6 to 10 p.m. at Land Rover Alexandria.
Many of the car enthusiasts who attend come to meet the people who share their interest.
“I’ve been a car person all of my life,” says Ralf Berthiez, Chief Judge and Chair of the Vehicle Selection Committee. “I have a love of Jaguar that started when a friend of my father’s showed me a car and explained how it worked. He had an extra horn and gave it to me.”
Berthiez is grateful for that start to his hobby. He is also delighted to participate in events like the Old Town Festival of Speed & Style.
“Old Town Alexandria, what a great area,” he said, pointing out how the area gives back to the community.
Then he had another thought. “You know that young child that sits in a car or sees a car that brings out that desire, who knows where that goes?”
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