New to the Avenue
Meet seven Alexandria artists making their Art on the Avenue debut!
Zoe Bailey and Sheila Foster.
Get ready for Del Ray’s biggest celebration of art, music, food and community! Art on the Avenue returns for the 31st time on 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 (including Del Ray residents Sheila Bailey and Zoe Foster), turning their new passion into a side hustle:
Sheila Bailey, A Basket Case
A life-long sewist since age 8, Shelia Bailey found her niche in basket-making, creating rope baskets made on a sewing machine. “Beautiful fabric and colors are often 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.
A life-long sewist since age 8, Shelia Bailey found her niche in basket-making, creating rope baskets made on a sewing machine. “Beautiful fabric and colors are often 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
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 (don’t miss her 3D-printed Titan swag!).
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 during 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 -- and 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.”
fairyton-garden-works.square.site
During his family’s hunt for fairy doors during 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 -- and 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.”
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.
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.
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.