Fauquier County Department of Economic Development

05/21/2026

Congratulations to all our incredible local graduates! Your hard work, dedication, and resilience have brought you to this milestone. Today, we celebrate you—your achievements, your dreams, and the bright future ahead.

05/19/2026

Business Spotlight: Artist Collective of Washington & Art Studio ’81
Meet Florence Jones, the heart behind the Artist Collective of Washington and Art Studio ’81 in Old Town Warrenton. Her mission is simple but powerful: create a space where local artists can sell their work, offer classes, and let the community experience art being made in real time.
At the studio, visitors can browse and purchase original local art. The Collective includes both resident members, who display their work year‑round, and visiting members, who rotate in monthly—meaning there’s always something new to discover.
Florence was inspired to open the space after searching for a place to share her mother’s artwork and wanting to spark more life and foot traffic in Old Town. Beyond showcasing art, she hopes the studio encourages people to come out, connect, and enjoy creativity together.
She also loves being part of Warrenton’s art community, a diverse group of people with rich experiences and backgrounds. “It’s an interesting group to surround yourself with,” she shares.
Running a small arts space isn’t easy, especially with high rents and no payroll, but Florence believes deeply in socially responsible businesses ventures that support people and break even while making a positive impact. The Collective is built on that philosophy, giving artists space to work, teach, and sell.
Be sure to check out their monthly “Meet the Artist” events, featuring a different local artist each time. The full year is already scheduled, and every month brings a unique perspective.
Florence is also developing a year‑round version of a studio tour, connecting visitors with artists across the region. Visitors will soon be able to pick up a map or check the website to explore affiliated artists and their studios.
Interested in joining the Collective? Just stop by or reach out through their website!

05/14/2026

Business Spotlight: Hawkmoth Arts Gallery & Studio
Nestled within Arterra Wines in Delaplane, Hawkmoth Arts Gallery & Studio is a place where nature, artistry, and the rhythms of the land converge. Owned and operated by Sandy Gray Murray, the studio reflects a lifelong creative journey shaped by passion, education, and an unwavering connection to the natural world.
Sandy’s story begins with a spark, as an elementary school art teacher who recognized and nurtured her talent early. That spark carried her through middle and high school, eventually leading her to earn a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the Maryland Institute College of Art, with prior study at Carnegie Mellon. Her path then bridged studio practice with education, teaching in museum and school settings, developing arts curricula, and opening a dedicated high school for the arts in Washington County, Maryland.
Life eventually led Sandy and her family to Virginia, where her husband’s work in viticulture opened an unexpected door. Surrounded by vineyards, forests, and the cycles of the land, Sandy found herself inspired to shift from drawing and painting into ceramics and drawn to the tangible, authentic connection between clay and nature. Using raw elements from the vineyard such as leaves, canes, wood, and even pieces of wine barrels, her work honors the textures, shapes, and stories of the land itself.
After years of creating from home and showing her work, Sandy and her husband combined their passions for art and wine in a shared space. They opened Arterra Wines Hawkmoth Arts Gallery & Studio which is a craft driven venture rooted in authenticity.
Sandy’s work is shaped by the Japanese philosophy of Wabi Sabi, which celebrates impermanence, imperfection, and the quiet beauty found in nature’s cycles. This philosophy permeates both her clay work and the atmosphere of the studio.
One of the unique joys of Sandy’s practice is seeing where her pieces end up. “It brings me such joy when customers send me photos of the work in their homes,” she says. “That becomes part of the story too—the piece continues on.”
While Sandy doesn’t consider herself tightly woven into the broader arts scene, she feels deeply supported and inspired by Fauquier County. The landscape itself, especially the vineyard and the foothill of the Blue Ridge is a constant muse. She is working on a growing outdoor sculpture trail that she looks forward to sharing with visitors.
Above all, Sandy believes in the essential role creativity plays in well being for everyone, not just artists. Whether solving problems, thinking differently, or simply slowing down enough to appreciate process, creativity is a powerful grounding force. Through her work and occasional studio experiences, Sandy hopes to offer people a reminder of that.

05/12/2026

Are you a food or beverage business or farm in Culpeper, Fauquier, or Rappahannock?

Venture Central built a free resource hub just for you — with 60+ resources on regulations, pricing, distribution, and marketing, plus chat rooms to connect with other food founders in the area and a growing local business directory.

Free to join: https://venture-central-food-and-beverage.circle.so/join?invitation_token=bdc6de30e581320bcbbb5fe3d813c0f32fa7c76d-f364cc80-b358-49ef-a8e1-62707dc914a6

05/12/2026

05/12/2026

Business Spotlight: The Orchid Studio + Gallery
Located just steps from the Greenway at 72 S. Fifth Street, The Orchid Studio & Gallery is one of Warrenton’s newest creative hubs, a bright, welcoming, and built with community at its heart.
Founded by Laura Coates, the studio opened its doors in October 2025 after years of Laura’s growing passion for ceramics and small business development. With a background in entrepreneurship from VCU and hands on experience in local business support roles, Laura blended her love of art with her understanding of what it takes to build something meaningful in Warrenton. After nearly a decade of learning to throw, hand build, glaze, and teach ceramics, she knew it was time to create a space of her own.
One of the most unique features of The Orchid Studio is the building itself, a former garage transformed through six weeks of family-powered renovation. The large back garage door now fills the studio with fresh air and natural light, making it an inviting place for creativity to unfold. Its location near the Wild Hare Cidery, the Greenway, and other local favorites also brings a steady stream of energy and foot traffic, fueling the studio’s open, community oriented atmosphere.
The studio operates primarily through an open-studio model, encouraging peer learning alongside traditional classes and workshops. It’s a space where beginners and experienced artists alike can learn, create, and connect.
As Warrenton’s art scene continues to grow with new studios, collectives, and creative spaces popping up, Laura is proud to be part of the early wave helping shape what the community can become. “It feels like the beginning of a new chapter,” she shares. “People are investing more time and energy into building spaces for art and connection. It’s exciting to help chart a path forward.”
The Orchid Studio offers intro to hand building, one off creative workshops, and is expanding into new mediums, including a brand new “Learn Your Sewing Machine” beginner sewing class launching this spring. Summer will also bring additional outdoor creative experiences on the property.
All upcoming classes and events are listed on the studio’s website.. Future plans include activating the shaded courtyard as an outdoor event area for art fairs, music, kids’ craft markets, and more.
The Orchid Studio & Gallery is a creative pillar in the making, and Warrenton is lucky to have it.

05/07/2026

Love Spring in Old Town Warrenton!

05/07/2026

Join us at the Trades Job Fair on Tuesday, May 7, from 5 to 7 p.m. If you’re considering a new career path or looking to move forward in your current trade, this event is a perfect chance to meet industry experts and discover new employment opportunities. Register at https://laurelridgeworkforce.com/trades-job-fair

05/07/2026

Happy Monday! With the start of a new month come new exciting events. Check out our calendar.

For more events, follow us on Instagram and Facebook. You can also find the events calendar on our website!

Sign up today~
www.veronicraft.com