The Fred-Este Blog

The Fredericksburg Visitor Center on Caroline Street developed a decidedly Italian accent on June 25, as the Fred-Este members gathered for the Exchange Artist reception, complete with Italian wines and assorted nibbles. The members were also treated to over 30 photos and posters from our Italian sister city! The photographer, none other than our own Sue Henderson, mounted both a joint exhibit and a solo show in Este during the most recent Artist Exchange visit, in April 2026

Another successful artist exchange took place in April 2026, when Sue Henderson and Ray Dempsey, who’ve performed together for over a decade, wowed our Este friends with a performance of The Great American Songbook, which highlights jazz, Broadway and movie standards from the first half of the 20th Century. Joined by Este pianist Claudia Minieri in a duet, and made possible by Este “grand poobah” of the sister city organizations Walter Pieressa, the April 21st concert delight

By Kathryn Willis The performing duo of Sue Henderson and Ray Dempsey have been selected as the artist exchange honorees for the Fredericksburg-Este Association’s 2026 artist exchange program. This honor provides for a three-week stay in Este—our Italian sister city—for the artists to share their work in Este, to perform, and to teach. The pair will be hosted by Este folks, and a number of gatherings with their sister city members will broaden the cultural exchange. The 202

Este from April 20-May 11 Artist Exchange with Cathy Herndon. She taught in Este, completed an outdoor mural on a wall in Este, and was...

June reception for Cathy Herndon's art show at LibertyTown from the Arts Exchange.

Fredericksburg-Este Association P O Box 157 Fredericksburg VA 22404 www.fred-este.org fredeste2015@gmail.com Kathryn Willis:...

Our first-ever Este artist chosen through our Artist Exchange Program, will be arriving in Fredericksburg from Oct. 15-24! NADIR...