The Shenandoah Valley Art Center, during the month of February, as a tribute to art education is exhibiting the artwork of the Shenandoah Valley Governor’s School of the Visual Arts, located in Fishersville serving gifted junior and senior high school students of the Augusta County, Staunton, and Waynesboro Public Schools.
Under the guiding hand of Jennifer Vaughan, the Visual Arts curriculum includes classes taught by professional artists and artisans and distinguishes itself by presenting the study of many styles, topics, and techniques emphasizing skill development, self-expression, and experimentation. The exploration of media and techniques and in-depth investigation of self-selected topics in the second year of classes lead students to creating artwork while acquiring a breadth of knowledge that emphasizes a development of their own style and personal portfolio.
The Visiting Artist program brings students in contact with working artists/artisans from the community in subjects, such as, photography, pottery, printmaking, oil painting, and enameling, to list a few. Through the art center exhibit, the students encounter the rigors of the professional art world. They prepare their work for exhibition, submit to the jurying process, and engage in peer critique. Students work with Piper Groves, SVAC Director, to determine the layout of the exhibit, prepare artists’ statements, and learn to hang and label the works. Presented to the public is the result of the students’ combined efforts to participate in this incredible learning opportunity for the display their work. An Opening Reception and Artist Talk will be held February 8, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and the public is encouraged to come, meet, and talk to the artists
In the Hallway Gallery, the tribute to art education continues with an exhibition of artwork by the Blue Ridge Region Art Education Association showcasing its members from the Shenandoah Valley and Blue Ridge Mountains. The exhibit is an intriguing look into the creative process of educators and is a rich tapestry of artwork that represents lives involved in the daily practice of nurturing young artists who will determine the evolution of art in the future. In the Members’ Gallery, the theme RED will be interpreted by SVAC members through a variety of media and creative ideas. In the Docent Room, Matalie Deane, a Charlottesville artist uses oils and watercolors to create active and dynamic nature paintings.
Please join us for free open studio opportunities. SVAC hosts on each second and fourth Thursday, 1:00 – 3:00 p.m., an Artist’s Playground meeting and third Thursdays, 11:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. the Art Trading Card Group meets.
Enrollment for art classes is being accepted. Clay: Handbuilding taught by Donna Kincaid (Thursdays, 2/13 – 3/20) teaches coil and slab techniques tailored to the skill level of the participant. Zentangle techniques will be taught by Pat Garnett Feb. 19, 26, and March 1 and an Altered Book workshop will be held Feb. 22. Shenandoah Valley Art Center offers, the ever popular Saturday Art for Kids, presenting a creative art experience for young artists from 11:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. Contact the art center for specific information and pre-registration for each class. Open studio opportunities in the Virginia Ross Education Studio are available to printmakers and ceramic artists. Apply on line at www.SVACart.com.
The art center continues to celebrate its retail alliance and partnership with the Artisan Center of Virginia. In the SVAC Gift Shop you can find the perfect creative gift in fiber, jewelry, wood, glass, pottery, and more by juried artisans from Virginia and SVAC members.
The Shenandoah Valley Art Center is located in downtown Waynesboro at 126 S. Wayne Avenue. Galleries are open to the public 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call (540) 949-7662 or visit www.svacart.com
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