When talking about Hunt Country and the Middleburg area, I often reference it into what I call "the box". The box I am referring to basically runs from Rt.15 west to the Ashby Gap and from Snickersville Turnpike down to I-66. To me, this special little piece of the Piedmont is ground zero for Hunt Country.

Now that's not to say there isn't some fudging with the lines of the box, but you get the picture and being widely known as Hunt Country for over a century, it has certainly become the brand it deserves. It's not only an area known for equestrian sport, it's an area rich in history, with unmistakable landmarks and great beauty. But it is the open rolling hills, scenic Blue Ridge views, dry stack stone walls and primarily the picturesque villages of Middleburg, The Plains, Upperville and Aldie, that give Hunt Country its personality.

Our hunt country is known as an equestrian playground throughout the world and it's certainly one of the most competitive, equestrian sport capitals as well. Fox hunting, jumping and steeplechase racing maybe at the heart of it, but dressage and polo have been around for years too and polo is in a major growth swing.

Along with the expansion of The Sporting Library and Museum, the area hosts some of the largest and oldest equestrian events in the country and likely supports our most important economic base - horses. The shear amount of riders, trainers, vets, farriers, grooms, helpers, tack shops, saddle and boot makers, leather repair, horse blanket cleaners, barn builders, hay farmers, farm managers, farms hands, equipment suppliers, truck drivers, feed stores, fence companies and yes, even artists, relying on the health of Hunt Country is important. It's a diamond in a beautiful setting.

As an artist, this beautiful setting has truly given itself to me and I certainly hope I have and will continue to give back to it. Known over the years for sporting art, the area has never really been known or thought of as an art haven. But it has long supported a rich sense of artistic contribution and diversity, none the less. Mr. and Mrs. Paul Mellon, along with his father Andrew's contributions to the world of art alone, give our area a lofty artistic status. There could not be a more perfect example of Hunt Country and a connection to fine art. Living in Upperville, not only have the Mellons epitomized everything Hunt Country is, Paul Mellon's father Andrew funded the west wing of the National Gallery of Art and Paul and his still living wife "Bunny", filled it with its most prized possessions. Just imagine Washington D.C. without that gem! They are not alone in this area of generosity either.

But Hunt Country and the close surrounding area, do offer tons of talent and choices for enjoying, purchasing and learning art. As an expressive industry, art doesn't need to be bigger than Hunt Country to be have its identity passionately recognized. Peter Wood, Middleburg resident and metal artist, has made it his goal though, for Middleburg and "the box" especially, to gain a greater art presence by essentially reforming The Middleburg Art League which Aeron Mack created in 2003. To me, this group's most positive energy is unifying other groups into a collective voice, which would then work with the Loudoun Arts Council, Visit Loudoun and Loudoun Economic Development to promote Middleburg as an arts destination. Including northern Fauquier County into the mix is important too, as Middleburg is a border town to the two counties.

Fauquier County, is of course named in honor of Frances Fauquier, the Lieutenant Governor of the Virginia Colony. Fauquier had strong interests in the arts and in 1758 became a corresponding member of The Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures, and Commerce, better known as the Royal Society of Arts. You can't hit much closer to home than that.

I just had to mention in closing, Sotheby's recent auction of one of the four interpretations of Edvard Munch's "The Screem", in pastel no less, just brought $119,922,500. Hey, he didn't call it The Screem for nothing!