Cindy Madigan is an artist who doesn’t work with paint or clay. Rather, she works with leather.
“I grew up in a working class neighborhood in Pittsburgh,” Madigan said. “My interest in leather-craft is rooted in my childhood, watching my dad. He’d come home each night and work at his little bench tucked away in a corner and did leather craft to unwind. I’d go with him on Saturday mornings to the local leather shop to pick up tools and supplies.”
Madigan eventually inherited her father’s tools — and this led to a whole new career pursuing the artisan skills she first learned as a child — making beautiful purses and other leather craft.
Madigan is just one of scores of artists participating in the Fall Capital Art and Craft Festival, which returns to Northern Virginia October 11-13.
The event brings more than 225 juried artisans — the largest art festival in the region — to Dulles Expo Center.
The Capital Art & Craft Festival will feature art in more than a dozen mediums including glass, jewelry, leather, paintings, prints, photography, pottery, wearable art and wood. Attendees may buy directly from the artisans who create the work, all of which is crafted by hand.
Just like the leather creations from Madigan, who is returning for her second year at the festival.
“We live in such a wonderful area,” she said. “It’s filled with people who support and value the work, talent, commitment and sacrifice that artists make toward their craft. By choosing to attend the Capital Art & Craft Festival and spend their time and hard-earned money on these special pieces, they are vital part of this wonderful network.”
You can get more information on the festival and purchase tickets in advance by visiting the Capital Art & Craft Festival website here.
(This is a sponsored post on behalf of the Capital Art & Craft Festival.)