It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Middleburg – especially with the annual display of holiday signs along Washington and Federal Streets. These wooden signs pay tribute to the memory and legacy of the late Emily Sharp who shared her whimsical visions of a gift-filled sleigh, trumpeting angel, cook with plum pudding, Tiny Tim, Pooh Bear, toy engine, and Santa's list of merchants, to name a few.

Over the years, Sharp's Yuletide signs, which she designed specifically for the charming, old-fashioned theme of Christmas In Middleburg, have become inextricably woven into the unique tapestry of the local community's history and traditions. The wooden signs first graced Middleburg in 1982 and grew rapidly from 20 originals to 26 all told. Today, they look as good as new, thanks to The Hill School's Alumni Association whose board decided unanimously last January to refurbish and restore the holiday signs designed by their former art teacher.

"As a teacher, Em Sharp was magical. She had the best sense of humor. If you weren't the best at drawing what was on the table, she turned you into the best potter – she let us all make these little clay figures," recalled Stormy Stokes-Hood (class of '81) whose son attends Hill. "She let us figure out what we were good at. She didn't go by the book. She instilled the love of art in me. I went to Corcoran School of Art [Sharp's alma mater] and Em was my mentor. Pursuing a career in art gave me confidence in myself although I ended up with a career in PR. Em gave everyone the opportunity to have fun, to be yourself and to find yourself. She was the best."

On May 11, 2012 The Hill School dedicated its spring reception as a celebration of the life of their beloved Sharp (July 16, 1918–August 13, 2011). She taught art at Hill from 1961-1971 and from 1978-1983. By her leadership and passion, she inspired countless students. Sharp remained a dynamic member of the community and a faculty member Emeritus until her peaceful passing, at the age of 93, at her home, "Toad Hall" at Walnutdale Farm, The Plains. More than 130 people attended the reception, from members of the alumni who studied art with Sharp to former students who had heard about her to Sharp's own children.

The Hill School's Alumni Association sponsors fundraising events in order to support the local community, such as Seven Loaves and the Cherry Blossom Walk. When the 16 board members, including its president Charles Ellison ('97), convened in 2012, they discussed dedicating the spring reception to Sharp. They also discussed their donation to a local cause. According to Stokes-Hood, the alumni "wanted to do something fun and something for the community." That's when they voted unanimously to support the restoration and refurbishment of all 26 signs created and painted by Sharp. Quail Run Signs, owned by alumnus John Ralph, took on the project.

Sharp designed her holiday signs to be double-sided, with several sporting two different images. She created paper patterns from her original drawings so that Middleburg Millworks could cut the designs from exterior plywood, which was laminated with heavy paper to provide a good drawing and painting surface. Two coats of primer later and Sharp was ready with brushes and enamel paint. Once a sign was painted to Sharp's satisfaction, she finished her work with a coat of polyurethane. The process of creating and executing the signs took time and effort, but Sharp considered her project an enjoyable labor of love.

Although the original Christmas in Middleburg poster has no year, locals date the event to 1981 or 1982, which was the first year that the Yuletide signs added their festive appeal to the town's decorations. Their restoration by The Hill School Alumni guarantees the perpetuation of the artist's visions and community spirit for many years to come.

The bottom line is that Sharp wanted to do something very special for Christmas in Middleburg and she succeeded beyond her wildest expectations.