Burke Artist in Handcrafters Guild Showcase

Burke resident Gene Villiva, a member of the Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild, creates unique silver-plated Christmas ornaments and belt buckles depicting historic buildings, monuments and sites including the White House, the Virginia Capitol, and Monticello. The ornaments are stamped in heavy brass, then plated with silver.

Villiva's work is featured at the second Annual NVHG Fall Arts and Crafts Showcase this weekend at Ernst Cultural Center on the .

Guild member Howard Serig said the showcase provides access to quality art.  "This is a unique opportunity for people to see real quality items that are produced by artisans that are juried, as opposed to the buy-and-sell type merchandise you see at many arts and crafts shows,” he said.

The show runs Sunday, October 9, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission is $3.  Parking is available in the “B” lots during show hours.

The Northern Virginia Handcrafters Guild, founded in 1972, promotes individual craftsmanship and craft-related educational activities, as well as opportunities to sell locally handcrafted works. The guild also promotes the arts through scholarships for local arts and crafts students, and supports community outreach programs such as Meals on Wheels.