The Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild (NVHG) returns to the Vienna Community Center over Thanksgiving weekend in its biggest art and craft fair of the year. For 27 years, the NVHG has showcased its talented artists and craftspeople in its annual juried Thanksgiving three-day event.

“One of the reasons this show is always successful is that people know it will be high-quality handcrafted work for sale,” said publicity chair Jane Ernst.

From art and photography to hand-painted mixed media decorations, fused glass jewelry and handmade fabric designs, the juried show features more than 80 artisans. While most live in Northern Virginia, several artists come in from Maryland, Pennsylvania and as far away as New Mexico.

Highlights of the NVHG showcase are the holiday gift collections, particularly handmade decorations — ornaments and figures — and holiday jewelry pieces and fabric bags.

Participating Vienna artists include Jeanne Ashmore, crafting accessories for the home; Sam Barry, hand painted and cast ceramic tiles, plates, bowls, vases, and mugs; Sherry Fachet, fused glass jewelry, functional and art glass pieces; Brenda Reagan, mixed media glass, fused glass jewelry, vessels and tile mosaics; Lori Staples, lampworking and one-of-a-kind glass beads. From Oakton are artists Joanne Adams, mixed media painted figures, and Susan Gantz, jewelry and home accessories.

The Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild provides yearly scholarships to local art students and supports local nonprofit organizations. Anyone is eligible to join the guild, but to participate in the shows, submitted pieces are juried to be accepted.



THE 27TH ANNUAL THANKSGIVING WEEKEND Art and Craft Showcase will be at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry St., S.E., Vienna on Friday and Saturday, Nov. 27-28, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., and Sunday, Nov. 29, from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. Admission is $3. Children under 12 are free.

See www.nvhg.org for more information on the guild and the holiday showcase.