NRV Artist Wins Ribbons at Virginia State Fair
Frances Miller earns top honors for Appalachian Lake, an acrylic painting inspired by the beauty of the Appalachian landscape
October 2026 — Christiansburg artist Frances A. Miller, who signs her work as Francesa, has earned two top honors at the Virginia State Fair, winning First Place and Best of Section in the Acrylic Paintings category for her original painting, Appalachian Lake.
The award-winning work portrays a serene lake surrounded by forest, with two red Adirondack chairs positioned along the shore beside a small campfire. The inviting scene captures the enchantment of a quiet evening in nature, encouraging viewers to imagine themselves sitting by the water, enjoying the warmth of the fire and the peaceful beauty of the Appalachian outdoors.
Francesa draws much of her inspiration from the natural beauty of the Appalachian region and the landscapes of Southwest Virginia. Her paintings celebrate the character of the local environment, capturing the colors, atmosphere, and tranquility that make the region special.
The Virginia State Fair awards are another addition to Francesa’s growing record of artistic accomplishments. Her nature assemblage piece, “The Last of Winter”, made of natural twigs and bark, won an Honorable Mention at the this year’s State Fair. Last year she was commissioned to paint the stream and three-dimensional waterfall feature on Draper Street in Blacksburg, and the signal box in front of National Bank on Main St., contributing to distinctive local visual features that bring art and the natural world together in a public setting. Her work has appeared in magazines, and one of her paintings is permanently displayed at City Hall in Cocoa, Florida, where she lived before moving to Virginia. She has also earned multiple first-place finishes and other placements in online art competitions.
Through her paintings, Francesa hopes to share her love of the Appalachian landscape, encouraging others to pause and appreciate the beauty of the natural world around them.
