Craftsmen’s Christmas Classic celebrates 30th year

Yes, we know it has been only six days since Halloween, but Christmas is up and running today at the Richmond Raceway Complex.

The Craftsmen's Christmas Classic celebrates its 30th anniversary through Sunday with the usual showcase of art, pottery, jewelry, toys, foods, clothing and more from about 450 artists and craftsmen.

Craftsmen's Classics are staged throughout the year in Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina by Gilmore Shows.

Dawna Boehmer, an Ohio-based artist, will appear at the show to sell a whimsical fine-art print called "The ABC's of Richmond." The print is signed, numbered and limited to 500 copies; it sells for $55.

The local alphabet includes Belle Isle for "B," Hollywood Cemetery for "H," Virginia State Capital for "V" and "Zillions of Festivals" for Z.

The idea grew from a little ABC painting Boehmer did for her granddaughter. Soon after, Boehmer's brother, city attorney in Roanoke, asked her to paint "The ABC's of Roanoke." Her nephew attended medical school at Virginia Commonwealth University and requested "The ABC's of Richmond."

"I had visited Richmond a few times but made a trip last fall to familiarize myself with it and take photos," Boehmer said. "We sat down over dinner to work out all of the important landmarks of Richmond and try to fit them into the ABC format. It took several months of e-mailing back-and-forth to finalize the order and the drawings."

It took her about a month to do the original oil painting.

Boehmer also has done the ABC's of Cincinnati; Columbus, Ohio; and Washington, as well as a piece that shows the ABC's of living.

For details about show vendors and a printable coupon for $1 off an adult ticket, visit http://www.ChristmasClassic.com.

Contact Julie Young at (804) 649-6732 or .