The Shenandoah Valley Art Center, during the month of August, is exhibiting works of art by the Beverley Street Studio School artists. Located in historic Downtown Staunton, the school of art has adopted as its mission “providing the community and region with a variety of opportunities to explore the world of the visual arts through practice, professional instruction, and contact with practicing artists.”
It is unique as the only studio school located outside a major metropolitan area. Partially supported by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment of the Arts, the school was founded in 1992 by a group of artists who sought to establish a studio art school that would provide an opportunity for art training in a collaborative and nurturing fashion. The emphasis in instruction is working from direct observation, whether in a plein air setting or within the studio classrooms. Instructors are both practicing and professional artists in their fields. Weekly art classes and weekend art workshops are offered quarterly throughout the year. While the emphasis is on painting and drawing, printmaking and various other media are also offered. Figure drawing or painting sessions are offered weekly, and painting the figure is included in class or workshop selections.
BSSS is a non-profit organization led by a volunteer Board of Trustees working with volunteers to plan and implement programs and events. A part-time office staff provides vital support for day-to-day operations. There are over 250 members, over 50 volunteers, and approximately 120 active students. Beverley Street Studio School is currently housed on the first floor of the historic former Stonewall Jackson School Building (217 West Beverley Street). The BSSS Gallery is located in the Beverley Street Galleries, which also houses Co-Art Gallery, an artists’ cooperative gallery (22 W. Beverley Street). An opening reception will be held Saturday, August 3, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. and the public is encouraged to come and meet the artists.
In the Upstairs Hallway Gallery, an exhibition of two dimensional artworks in a variety of media will be presented by the Rockbridge Arts Guild, a community of artists from Rockbridge County, Lexington, and Buena Vista, VA. The Members Gallery will present works of art by SVAC members with the “Artist’s Choice” as the theme. Do not miss the oil paintings by Joe Garber. Brought back by popular demand after his highly successful exhibit in July, his paintings will continue to be shown in the Docent Room. SVAC has accepted an invitation to exhibit member artwork at Summit Square for the months of August and September.
Save the date!!! August 16, 1 – 3pm, Piper Groves will present monoprinting without a press using gel plates from Gelli Arts. Easy, quick, and amazing! All printing supplies included, but please bring paper and texture items such as lace or stencils. Please register by calling SVAC and join the class for $40.
Open studio opportunities in the Virginia Ross Education Studio are available to printmakers and ceramic artists. Apply on line at www.SVACart.com.
The Fall Foliage Festival Art Show application for the show to be held on October 12 and 13 is online and available to professional and emerging artists. New this year to the festival is emerge, seeking to exhibit selected works of local or emerging artists. Recently the show was voted one of the top three art events in Virginia by “Virginia Living” readers.
The art center is celebrating its retail alliance and Artisan Trail partnership with the Artisan Center of Virginia. In the SVAC Gift Shop you can find the perfect hand crafted gift in fiber, jewelry, wood, glass, pottery, and more by juried artisans from Virginia.
The Shenandoah Valley Art Center is located in downtown Waynesboro at 126 S. Wayne Avenue. Galleries are open to the public 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday.
For more information, call (540) 949-7662 or visit www.svacart.com .
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