Community Calendar

Shenandoah Valley Art Center presents the Shenandoah National Park Trust works of art from the permanent collection of their Artist-in-Residence program. The Hudson River School of the mid-1800’ s turned its attention to American landscapes, providing the public with its first interpretation of parts of the country most had never seen. Talk of preserving these great places ensued and the national park system was born. The Artist-in-Residence Program was begun to inspire artists and visitors to think deeply about the value of the Shenandoah National Park. Goals were to create an understanding of the landscape of Shenandoah in new and unique ways, to increase awareness about important concepts, such as climate change and wildlife management, using images and sound that enriched visitor experiences in the park. This was achieved by inviting professional artists to interpret the landscape through traditional and contemporary art. The Trust provided seed funding to launch Shenandoah National Park’s Artist-in-Residence program in 2013 and proudly continues to fund it annually. Artists live and work in the park for three-week sessions and engage park visitors in public programs, hopefully encouraging them to become stewards of the park. The public is invited to the opening reception on January 15, 2026, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the SVAC 416 Gallery, 416 W. Main St. Waynesboro, VA 22980. The exhibition will be open to the public January 15 – February 21, Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

The Shenandoah Valley Art Center during the month of October, in the Cabell/Arehart Invitational Gallery, is presenting Elizabeth Wislar’s sculptural assemblage artwork. These pieces blend the joy of gathering and creating new artifacts from reclaimed materials, based on a belief that everything we need already exists. Wislar shares , “The assemblage pieces on display blend my joy of celebrating what it means to Gather with the creation of a new art and artifacts from reclaimed materials. The Gatherer cultivates. The Gatherer cares for the nourishment of people, the histories, the elders, the children, the traditions, the stories, the spirits, the plants, the food, the art, the land, the air, and the water. Let us Gather, collect, cultivate, and tell stories, using what we have gathered.” Wislar is a Multi-Award- Winning Costume professional, a large-scale repurposed textile artist, activist, and instructor. Of Native American ancestry, she is enrolled as a tribal member. The exhibition opening will be October 4, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and guests are welcome to meet and talk to the artist. The exhibition is open to the public October 4 – November 29, Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., at 126 S. Wayne Ave, Waynesboro, VA 22980.

Shenandoah Valley Art Center presents Drawing and Sketching with Pen and Ink with John Hancock. Explore the power of Pen and ink in this 5 week class for making both bold and subtle drawings and sketches. We will discover how to best use both permanent inks as well as the less well known water-soluble inks in this studio class. Working with black inks and some very traditional and contemporary alternatives, we will learn to use several strategies for pen and ink. Designed for beginner to advanced students who have at least a little bit of experience drawing. For additional class information : HancockJohnA.Artist@gmail.com or 434-939-7445. Register online: https://johnahancock.com (Fee $325, Wednesday February 18 – March 18, 1:30- 4:00 p.m., 416 Classroom, 416 W. Main St., Waynesboro, V A 22980)

Shenandoah Valley Art Center presents Stretch and Release Yoga with Paula Figgatt and Leslie Chisnell. Gather in the Heart of Downtown Waynesboro for a meditative experience that benefits the mind while increasing your range of flexibility and centeredness in the body. Stretch & Release Yoga targets the fascia and connective tissues including tendons, ligaments and bones while creating suppleness, openness and health for our inner organs and muscles. By stilling the mind, bring the awareness deeply inward to create peace and relaxation to restore and renew the Spirit! (Register: www.svacart.com or call 540-949-7662, Fee: $10 per session, Tuesday, February 3 – April 14, 6:05 - 7:00 p.m., 416 Gallery, 416 W Main St, Waynesboro, VA 22980)

Shenandoah Valley Art Center presents: Acrylic Foundations, Techniques and Textures for all levels with Rainbow Willard. For new or experienced artists, this course offers a hands-on, supportive environment to explore the versatile world of acrylic painting. Students will learn the fundamentals of the medium through weekly exercises and guided explorations, covering color mixing, blending, layering, texture, and a variety of tools and surfaces. Each session builds on the last, leading up to a final expressive piece that allows students to put their new skills to use. Rainbow Willard is a practicing artist and art educator with a BFA in Art Education from Virginia Commonwealth University. She has experience teaching all ages and specializes in drawing, painting, mixed media, and printmaking. Rainbow creates a welcoming, encouraging space where students can build confidence, explore new techniques, and make art that feels personal and fun. In lieu of paying the materials fee, students should check the class materials list at www.svacart.com . (Fee: $175 and a $20 materials fee due to instructor at beginning of class. register at www.rainbowwillard.com/shop, 6 week course,

A farm-to-table experience that will fuel our growth: Chef Throwdown Benefiting Jones Gardens- September 7, 2026 @ 5:30pm (Location TBD)

Jones Gardens invites Virginia chefs to apply for a friendly Farm-to-Table Chef Throwdown, featured as part of a lively, ticketed fundraising dinner celebrating local food, farms, and community.

Each selected chef will be paired with a Virginia farm and challenged to create a dish that highlights the farm’s ingredients and a thoughtful farm-to-table approach. Guests will enjoy the event as both entertainment and dining, tasting inspired dishes while cheering on chef–farm teams.

All proceeds benefit Jones Gardens, and help fuel our operations, particularly a new and exciting venture that will break soon break ground, which will bring more programming and education to the community.

What Chefs Receive

Stipend for participation
Volunteer assistance during prep and service (if needed)
Exposure to a broad, food-loving community audience through our social media and website, as well as potential to be featured in local news broadcastings
Collaboration with a Virginia farm
A fun, high-energy competition for a meaningful cause

Chef Requirements (Seeking 2-3 chefs)

Must apply via the Jones Gardens website
Must Prepare at least one dish that contributes to the full course meal (either an appetizer, entree or desert)
Submit a short video clip showing yourself preparing a dish and explaining your process
Be genuinely passionate about Jones Gardens’ mission and local food systems

Chefs of all backgrounds and culinary styles are encouraged to apply.

Shenandoah Valley Art Center presents the Shenandoah National Park Trust works of art from the permanent collection of their Artist-in-Residence program. The Hudson River School of the mid-1800’ s turned its attention to American landscapes, providing the public with its first interpretation of parts of the country most had never seen. Talk of preserving these great places ensued and the national park system was born. The Artist-in-Residence Program was begun to inspire artists and visitors to think deeply about the value of the Shenandoah National Park. Goals were to create an understanding of the landscape of Shenandoah in new and unique ways, to increase awareness about important concepts, such as climate change and wildlife management, using images and sound that enriched visitor experiences in the park. This was achieved by inviting professional artists to interpret the landscape through traditional and contemporary art. The Trust provided seed funding to launch Shenandoah National Park’s Artist-in-Residence program in 2013 and proudly continues to fund it annually. Artists live and work in the park for three-week sessions and engage park visitors in public programs, hopefully encouraging them to become stewards of the park. The public is invited to the opening reception on January 15, 2026, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. at the SVAC 416 Gallery, 416 W. Main St. Waynesboro, VA 22980. The exhibition will be open to the public January 15 – February 21, Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.

SVAC Thursday’s Painting Group is a meeting of artists who want to paint! Artists bring their own supplies and gather at SVAC on Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at no cost to participants. Take advantage of your fellow painters for inspiration and light critique if you are interested. Come relax, share ideas or techniques, and independently work in the medium of your choice! Please call Shenandoah Valley Art Center if you are interested in joining and reserving a space! (540-949-7662, February 5, 12, 19, 26, 416 Gallery, 416 W. Main St., Waynesboro, VA 22980)

Shenandoah Valley Art Center presents the Shenandoah National Park Trust works of art from the permanent collection of their Artist-in-Residence program. The Hudson River School of the mid-1800’s turned its attention to American landscapes, providing the public with its first interpretation of parts of the country most had never seen. Talk of preserving these great places ensued and the national park system was born. The Artist-in-Residence Program was begun to inspire artists and visitors to think deeply about the value of the Shenandoah National Park. Goals were to create an understanding of the landscape of Shenandoah in new and unique ways, to increase awareness about important concepts, such as climate change and wildlife management, using images and sound that enriched visitor experiences in the park. This was achieved by inviting professional artists to interpret the landscape through traditional and contemporary art. The Trust provided seed funding to launch Shenandoah National Park’s Artist-in-Residence program in 2013 and proudly continues to fund it annually. Artists live and work in the park for three-week sessions and engage park visitors in public programs, hopefully encouraging them to become stewards of the park. The exhibition will be open to the public February 3 – 21, Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 416 Gallery, 416 W. Main St. Waynesboro, VA 22980.

SVAC Thursday’s Painting Group is a meeting of artists who want to paint! Artists bring their own supplies and gather at SVAC on Thursdays, 10:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m. at no cost to participants. Take advantage of your fellow painters for inspiration and light critique if you are interested. Come relax, share ideas or techniques, and independently work in the medium of your choice! Please call Shenandoah Valley Art Center if you are interested in joining and reserving a space! (540-949-7662, January 8, 15, 22, 29, 416 W. Main St., Waynesboro, VA 22980)