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Staunton: Art Hive rings in new year with show featuring rising artist JD Peyton

Rebecca Barnabi
The paintings of Virginia artist JD Peyton will be on display at Art Hive. Courtesy of Art Hive.

Experience a world of color, emotion and inspiration through the art of JD Peyton at Art Hive in Staunton.

Virginia native and rising artist Peyton will showcase their evocative and vibrant works in an exclusive gallery opening on Jan. 3 from 5 to 7 p.m.

Art enthusiasts and the local community are invited to immerse themselves in Peyton’s distinctive artistry, which turns personal introspection and challenging emotions into colorful expressionist paintings.

“I have always used art as a way to express myself. As a child, I drew on anything and everything, including my body and my clothes (normally getting myself into trouble), but I never cared. I tell people now that everything I love at some point ends up with paint on it, no matter how careful I try to be,” Peyton said.

Known for their fearless approach to creativity, Peyton’s work often draws from deeply personal experiences, weaving together themes of mental health, raw emotion and the fleeting moments of connection found in the world around us.

“Inspiration for my art comes from the world around me – an inside joke with a friend or a simple phrase is enough to have me ruminating on an idea until I must get it on paper or canvas. Most recently, I’ve found inspiration for my art coming from my own personal thoughts, emotions, and battle with mental health, something I normally find challenging, rather than outside sources,” Peyton said.

Art Hive is proud to host Peyton’s debut gallery event, which promises to be a thought-provoking and inspiring evening. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet the artist, explore their latest collection and connect with the stories that shape each piece.

The gallery opening is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be provided and a selection of Peyton’s artwork will be available for purchase.

Art Hive is at 835 Spring Hill Rd., Staunton.

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca Barnabi

Rebecca J. Barnabi is the national editor of Augusta Free Press. A graduate of the University of Mary Washington, she began her journalism career at The Fredericksburg Free-Lance Star. In 2013, she was awarded first place for feature writing in the Maryland, Delaware, District of Columbia Awards Program, and was honored by the Virginia School Boards Association’s 2019 Media Honor Roll Program for her coverage of Waynesboro Schools. Her background in newspapers includes writing about features, local government, education and the arts.