K*NOW
K*NOW
20 Years of K Art and Design
Our business began in the basement of a rented townhouse in Centreville, Virginia on January 17, 2002. That was the day that the official paperwork was dated when I received the incorporation papers back. I was so relieved because I had filed all of that on my own, and it was far more complicated than I had expected. At the time, it felt like an achievement to even get that far.
The business was named K Art and Design after my Aunt Kay who had encouraged my artistic pursuits from the time I was a little girl painting seashells at her beach house to when I was a high school student trying to figure out my college major. She passed away from liver cancer when I was a sophomore, but during her time with hospice we had talked about my plans to study art. She had studied art before she married and then didn’t really return to it until she was retired. I have some of her early drawings which were rich pencil drawings with dramatic shading. Later she felt more confident crafting but she would make small tinsel paintings once in a while.
So the K in K Art and Design is for Kay, and while the focus of the business has always been graphic design, there was a hope that it may grow to include more traditional art as well. Our first art offerings were art classes for kids and adults, and I’m so glad to be able to offer others the encouragement that my Aunt Kay gave to me. Making art can feel vulnerable, and I know first hand the impact that support can have. Our next session of Art Jam starts next week with Art of Play.
While Tony prefers to work digitally, many of his projects start in sketchbooks and he enjoys participating in Inktober each year. I’ve grown into a steady painter in watercolor and acrylics. Our kids draw and paint and used art in new ways to help them through a difficult year of all virtual school. Cole is applying to architecture programs in Virginia and beyond. At the 20 year mark, there is more art than ever before at K Art and Design.
Thank you for keeping us busy and helping us stay inspired!
~Kelly
Cole’s Capstone Project
For his senior capstone project at Mountain Vista Governor’s School, Cole decided to create a series of drawings of local buildings then and now. He created two drawings of the Depot and the State Theatre that will be part of his presentation in the spring. He’s also opened an Etsy shop to sell prints of these drawings and a few others that he’s particularly proud of.
Joy’s Art Show
Joy is the featured artist at Elevate this month! She has color pencil drawings and acrylic paintings on display, and she is nervous and excited about the opportunity.
Elevate is located at 107b East Davis Street, upstairs from Reigning Cats and Dogs. They are open to the public Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Joy will be selling prints of her work, so if there’s one that interests you, let us know.
Happy & Healthy Holidays!
In this second year of uncertainty, we are especially grateful for your continued support. This holiday season let’s celebrate how far we have come and reflect on our plans for the new year.
We wish you and your loved ones a very happy and healthy holiday season!
It’s Snowing in Culpeper
Tony is preparing for his annual 25 Days of Snowflakes, and our snowflake shop is open thanks to our friends at Kash Imprints. On sale now through Sunday, December 5 a new snowflake featuring Culpeper landmarks is available. Also back by popular demand is last year’s snowflake tribute to Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Click here to shop.
Tony has been cutting custom pop culture snowflakes for the past 7 years and posting them on social media. You can follow along beginning December 1 on Facebook and Instagram.
Air Fest
Tony along with his fellow Culpeper Air Fest board members are excited for Air Fest to return this Saturday! This free event is celebrating 21 years of the best little airshow in the East. Gates open at 9:00 a.m., and the main show begins at noon. Free parking is available at Culpeper County High School and Eastern View High School. Shuttle buses will bring you to the festival.
The festival has already begun for local students with the STEM program running at the airport all this week. For all the latest info, visit the Air Fest website and follow them on Facebook and Instagram.
Free Fall Fun! Take a Break and Get Outside!
It’s time for one of our favorite events—Farm Tour weekend! Take a break and get outside for some FREE family fun here in Culpeper on Saturday and Sunday, September 18-19 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day.
The Culpeper Harvest Days Farm Tour offers a special opportunity to explore local working farms, agribusinesses, plus wineries, breweries, and distilleries. Activities, food, and entertainment vary by location. To learn more, visit the Farm Tour website, follow them on Facebook, or download the app for the latest updates.
You can start anywhere and visit one or all of the stops on the tour! Click here to download a copy of the brochure which includes a map and directions to each farm. Each location will have printed brochures onsite as well.
I hope you can take a break and check out some part of the tour. Planning events like these has become increasingly complicated, and it would mean a lot to the coordinators, the volunteers, and the farms to have a good turnout. They take great pride in the work that they do, and they’d love to share it with you.
First Fridays Culpeper
Downtown Culpeper has started a First Fridays program with many businesses open late and special events and menus being offered on the first Friday of each month. Last month was K Art and Design’s first time participating and the gallery was full of new paintings to see, and Kelly was working at the easel taking a painting from start to finish before the evening was over (with some help from Dorothy Skelton).
Visit Kelly Friday, September 3 from 5-8 pm for our next First Friday! Or if you are less of a night owl and morning of an early bird, stop by the Farmers Market just down the street and see Kelly in the studio on Saturday, September 4 from 9 am-1 pm.
Air Fest returns
Tony along with his fellow Culpeper Air Fest board members are excited to announce the return of Air Fest this fall! After the challenges of 2020, Air Fest is rising above the pandemic to honor, educate, and entertain once more through the festival and the STEM program for local students.
Performers have just been announced. For all the latest info, visit the Air Fest website and follow them on Facebook. If you would like to support the festival as a donor or sponsor, email Tony for more information.
Art Camp is Back!
Kaleidoscope has been a summer tradition for my family for many years now, and I am so glad that we’ll be able to have camp again this June. It will look a little different because it will be held outside under the pavilion at Lenn Park, but having fun while being creative has always been at the heart of the program!
Camp is Monday, June 7-Friday, June 11 with 2 sessions for ages 6-8 and ages 9-12. The older group is full with a waitlist, but the younger group has 10 open spots because of an issue with a registration link. Please sign up or share with others who might be interested.
We’ve got 2 new instructors and 3 returning ones, and some of our regular volunteers are back, as well as some first time ones who were former campers! I’m excited for all that we have planned, but I could use your help filling spots! Thank you!
