The Shenandoah Valley Art Center, during the month of December, is exhibiting the paintings and drawings of Waynesboro artist, John A. Hancock, whose artworks are an exploration of the natural world and our place in it. He tries to bring together naturalistic and abstract elements into a balanced, if rather tentative, harmony.
The work always starts from direct observation; images that are purely landscapes are sometimes pieces completed in a single (en-plein-air) session. From on-site notes, sketches, color studies and photographs, he also returns to the studio to improvise and experiment using ink, watercolor, gouache, acrylic and other materials to bring a work to fruition. Hancock regularly exhibits locally, regionally, nationally, and has shown in England. Since 2000, he has lived in the shadow of the Blue Ridge Mountains, making art, and teaching at Blue Ridge and Piedmont Community Colleges, McGuffey Art Center, and privately.
Besides teaching and conducting workshops, Hancock is frequently called on to judge art shows, and makes presentations to schools, professional organizations and community groups. He is a member of the McGuffey Art Center and Virginia, North Carolina, and Southern Watercolor Societies. He is currently President of the Shenandoah Valley Art Center Board and has served on boards for the Arts Council for Wilson, NC, and Second Street Gallery.
Aside from the hours he spends in the studio, he enjoys cooking, gardening, and studying history and archeology. Opening Reception and Artist Talk will be held December 6, 5:00 – 7:00pm and the public is encouraged to come and meet the artist.
In the Hallway Gallery, Shenandoah Valley Art Center member-artists will offer for sale a variety of artwork. The center hopes to provide the opportunity to give great gifts of art during the holiday season. The new retail alliance between the Artisan Center of Virginia and the art center means that additional creative gifts in fiber, jewelry, wood, glass, and pottery by juried artisans from Virginia are available for purchase in the SVAC gift shop. In the Docent Room, the African safari photographs by Carolyn Ratcliffe will be on display.
Shenandoah Valley Art Center offers, the ever popular Saturday Art for Kids, presenting a creative art experience for young artists from 11 – 12:30pm. 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 online at www.SVACart.com.
The Shenandoah Valley Art Center is located in downtown Waynesboro at 126 S. Wayne Avenue. Galleries are open to the public 10am to 4pm Tuesday through Saturday. For more information, call (540) 949-7662 or visit www.svacart.com.
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