Winning SailFest 2026 artwork unveiled in Cape Charles

Pictured: Cape Charles Town Council Member Tara Ashworth, Cape Charles Main Street Patsy Harris, Susan Stark and Kim Starr.

By Ava Canade

The winning artwork that will be used for SailFest 2026’s festival memorabilia, promotional materials, and serve as the central visual theme was unveiled in Cape Charles at the Lemon Tree Gallery in Cape Charles on June 19th, 2025.

The painting, created by Onancock resident Susan Stark, was submitted as part of a call for original submissions from across Virginia by the Cape Charles Town Council and SailFest organizing committee.

Visitors gathered at the Lemon Tree Gallery in Cape Charles to see the winning artwork and also bid on the other entries to the competition in a silent auction on Thursday. The event acted as the kickoff for festivities leading up to SailFest 2026 from June 19-21, 2026.

Tara Ashworth, Cape Charles Town Council Member, discussed the significance of the event.

“We are thrilled that Eastern Shore resident, Susan Stark, won the SailFest Cape Charles art competition,” she said. “Her lustrous painting depicting a sailing vessel against a beautiful Cape Charles sunset will be showcased in marketing materials and available for purchase as commemorative posters.

The sponsor of this event, Kim Starr of Chesapeake Properties, now owns the original painting and is eager to display this beautiful piece that celebrates our nation’s 250th anniversary, our local maritime history, and the natural beauty of Cape Charles harbor.”