Maker Fest 2024 Portsmouth

Local beekeepers will talk about their expertise and equipment, with displays of items made from beeswax, educating the public on how we can take care of honeybees in this part of Virginia, and how the bees take care of us.

John Tobin is an award-winning ceramic artist who creates gestural sculptures with clay with his hands. He will use a variety of methods to show visitors, including pinch-pot, slab work, and coiling.

Mike Middleton creates his clay masterpieces on the potter's wheel, then uses a unique method of glazing to achieve beautiful surfaces. He will show visitors how he can manipulate a ball of clay into wonderous objects by using the wheel as a tool to help with symmetry and formation.

Norene Spencer is one of the few artists in our area who has excelled in the traditional art of Asian brush painting, or Sumi-E Japanese brush painting. This style uses specific materials similar to watercolor, including absorbent rice paper, animal-hair brushes, and ink. The process, as Ms. Spencer will show, looks deceptively simple and even easy. It is NOT.

Glass is becoming one of the most popular art materials because of the way it plays with light and can be fascinating to watch when glowing hot from a furnace, manipulated by the quick actions of those who know how to work it. Local artists will provide such a show for visitors, as they talk about the tradition and terminology of glassblowing.

Watch members of the club 'Yarn for Breakfast,' a knitting guild here in Hampton Roads—some of them will also be crocheting—as they create beautiful textiles with their hands and needles, and feel free to try it out for yourself (they'll be happy to assist).

Artist Beth Netts can help folks create a work of art to take with them, using unique printmaking processes and materials such as found objects and items from nature.

The 5440 African American Quilters Guild of Virginia will set-up displays and demonstrations of amazing quilts—be sure to ask them about the history and meaning behind traditional quilt patterns and how they incorporate these into new designs.

Members from the Tidewater Ukrainian School in Virginia Beach will demonstrate the fascinating tradition of Ukrainian egg design, with a wax-resist technique that is difficult and tedious. The results are intricate and colorful patterns which decorate the eggs, some with specific meanings and symbols.

These artisans wield sharp knives to whittle away at pieces of wood, creating intriguing miniatures and ornaments (best leave this work to the professionals by observing and listening to their knowledge).

Tre Evans is a locally based wood-turning artisan who will share his time and talents with the community. He works with specialized spinning-machines called 'lathes' along with unique blades that allow him to form pieces of wood into bowls, pens, and other objects of beauty (truly hypnotizing to watch).

Spencer Tinkham is a local fine artist who started creating bird decoy sculptures at an early age. He went on to international fame through his continued passion for nature and art, in the form of woodcarving. He highlights his amazing relief sculptures of bird feathers further, with paints and stains which add colorful details.

Knot tying and flag activities.

Ghostbusters, Virginia is a 501c3 non-profit who demonstrates our prop equipment and take pictures with our Ectomobile.

The mission of The Rebel Legion is threefold. First, we offer the costume enthusiasts of the Star Wars hero characters a global community to enjoy, express, and share their costume talents. Secondly, the Legion also promotes the quality and improvement of Star Wars costumes. Thirdly and most importantly, we follow the lead of Lucasfilm Ltd. by giving back to the community through works of charity and volunteerism.

Bracelet Making.

StopMotion Animation Stations.

A family owned and operated business in Chesapeake, VA. We started over twenty years ago in the embroidery field and have been evolving since then. We decided to expand our business to offer not just embroidery but all kinds of personalization with laser cutting and engraving.

3D PRINTING; BLENDING ART WITH TECHNOLOGY!

Musical Petting Zoo.

Demonstrations in metalwork and blacksmith techniques.