Featured Guests

Once again, the festival will celebrate the beginning of spring and all of the nature spirits return to the warm world with 70 arts and crafts vendors (mostly featuring handmade art inspired by the little people), performances by musicians and dancers, magicians, participatory maypole dancing accompanied by bagpipes and other music, fairie craft activities such as fairie wand and garland making (involves a small fee), food vendors, fairie and other nature spirit environments to explore, a Nature Place offering a place for environmental, health, animal interest and other groups to share their vision, , fairie tea parties, guest appearances by the Green Man, Sweet Pea, Posie and others.

Charles Vess

Charles Vess, one of premier fantasy/folklore-oriented illustrators working today, began his career as a freelance illustrator in New York in the 1970’s. His newest release, written by friend and top-selling author Neil Gaiman, is Blueberry Girl (HarperCollins 2009), an exquisitely illustrated “poem/prayer” for a much-loved soon-to-be-born little girl.

A full history of Charles Vess’ artistic accomplishments and awards would be too extensive to list here. He has long been a celebrity in the comic/graphic novel world, producing work for Marvel, DC, Darkhorse and Epic. In 1991, he shared the prestigious World Fantasy Award for Best Short Story with top-selling author Neil Gaiman for Sandman #19 (DCComics). In 1999, Vess was awarded the World Fantasy Award as Best Artist for Neil Gaiman and Charles Vess’ Stardust (Vertigo 1998), which was subsequently adapted by Paramount and released as a major motion picture starring Michelle Pfeiffer and Robert DeNiro. Vess has provided artwork for numerous other stories and books in the faerie/folklore genre, including Charles DeLint’s A Circle of Cats (Viking), the cover of which took Spectrum’s Gold Award in 2003. Charles Vess lives in southwestern Virginia with wife Karen Shaffer.
http://www.greenmanpress.com/ 

Ari Berk

Ari Berk, Ph.D., is an award-winning writer, artist and noted authority on folklore and mythology. His newest books are The Secret History of Giants (Candlewick 2008) and The Secret History of Mermaids (Candlewick 2009); William Shakespeare - His Life and Times (with Kristen McDermott, Candlewick 2010); Coyote Speaks: Wonders of the Native American World (with Carolyn Dunn, Abrams 2008), How to Be A Viking (Templar 2008); and several very popular books illustrated by Brian Froud: Lady Cottington’s Pressed Fairy Letters (Abrams 2005); Goblins! (Abrams 2004); and The Runes of Elfland (Abrams 2003). Ari is a Professor at Central Michigan University, teaching mythology, folklore, and medieval literature. He lives in Michigan with his wife, Kris McDermott (a writer and an Associate Professor at Central Michigan University) and their son, Robin. For more information and much curious lore, please visit his website: www.ariberk.com

Gary Lippincott

Having always been fascinated with the magical worlds of fantasy and imagination, Gary can’t remember a time when he wasn’t attempting to bring some of his dreams bac to so-called reality. At a young age, he started “conjuring up” images of fairies, gnomes, wizards, dragons, giants, monsters, and all the wonderful places they inhabit. Gary attempted to capture a viewer of his art with the notion that the worlds of imagination and reality were not that far apart. Very recognizable landscapes become populated with wee folk…a “real” castle houses dragons and sorcerers… and beneath the leaves and vines of the underbrush live creatures rarely encountered.

Shortly after receiving his BFA degree from the Maryland Institute- College of Art, Gary began a career as a freelance illustrator. Although he had painted primarily in oils during his art school years, Gary began teaching himself how to control the difficult medium of watercolors. He had fallen in love with the work of Arthur Rackham, Edmund Dulac, John Bauer, and Gustaf Tenggren many years ago and his interest in their medium was rekindled when he first discovered the art of Brian Froud and Alan Lee. Having the opportunity to view some of Lee’s original paintings at a Science Fiction- Fantasy convention , convinced Gary to continue perfecting his own watercolor technique. He has become known for his highly detailed, expertly controlled watercolor paintings and still finds excitement in watching the medium “magically do its thing!” His artwork has graced the covers of books by such notable authors as Ursula K. Le Guin, Tanith Lee, Andre Norton, and J.R.R. Tolkien.

Although the majority of Gary’s work is fantasy paintings, he has been commissioned to produce art for children’s picture books, labels for imported beers and ales, Tarot decks, calendars, and even bronze sculptures. His artwork has received numerous awards at science fiction- fantasy conventions, been nominated for a Hugo and a World Fantasy Award, and has received three Chesley Awards. He has been an artist guest at FaerieCon twice and been a Guest of Honor at several conventions across the country. His artwork is being bought by collectors worldwide.
http://www.garylippincott.com/ 

Twig 

Twig Oaklyn Flewinia Thistlebottom was first sighted at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival in 2003. In an exclusive interview using today's leading fae linguists, we are able to give you a rare glimpse at the journey she has made from that first apparition. When children see Twig, they are often struck with a sense of awe, wonder, and perhaps a bit of shyness.We were surprised to find that this is exactly how Twig feels when meeting us.The human imagination is a marvel to her. To see what dreams they bring to life, is her most rewarding pursuit.

STEPHEN D. WINICK is a folklorist, writer, teacher, and singer, and works as the editor for the American Folklife Center at the Library of Congress. He is an expert on folk music and folksong, with hundreds of published articles to his credit, in both academic journals and music magazines. He sings with Jennifer Cutting's OCEAN orchestra and with the Ship's Company Chanteymen, and has appeared at the Maryland Faerie Festival, FaerieCon, and RenCon, in addition to Spoutwood. This year he is the Master of Ceremonies for Spoutwood Farm's May Day Faerie Festival.

George Fohs Boiling Springs, PA.

Hope Ryden, Manhatten, New York City.

Hope has taught at the Farm and was contacted through Rob and Lucy's good friends Shirley and David Cammack. Shirley, having come from England to the US as a young woman, settled in New York City and her first roommate was Hope. Hope is one of America's best nature writers and photographers. Her classic books include "Lily Pond: Four Years with a Family of Beavers," "God's Dog: A Celebration of the North American Coyote," "America's Last Wild Horses," "Bobcat Year" as well as many books for children. www.hoperyden.com.

Betsy and Ned Williams, Andover, MA.

Betsy and Ned are the Fairie Godmother and Godfather of the May Day Fairie Festival since Betsy was the one who suggested to Rob and Lucy to do a Fairie Festival in the first place. Betsy and Ned were friends from The International Herb Growers and Marketers Association back in the 1990s and used to do a Fairy event at their shop in Andover. Betsy told Rob and Lucy that if she were us she'd expand her event and do it outside. The following year found Betsy and Ned helping out at the first Spoutwood Fairie Festival. Betsy is an accomplished author, floral designer, lecturer and workshop presenter. www.betsywilliams.com