Community Calendar

FORT HARRISON'S TENTH ANNUAL COLONIAL TRADES FAIR
JUNE 20, 2026
10 AM TIL 3 PM

335 Main Street
Dayton, VA

Learn how 18th Century colonial trades contributed to the settlement of the Shenandoah Valley. Includes demonstrations of basket making, flintknapping, hearth cooking, colonial medicine and surgery, spinning and weaving, farrier, blacksmithing, smoked food preservation, cabinetmaking, pottery, land surveyor and more.

Children s' activity.

Dancing by the Shenandoah Valley Historical Dancers

Handcrafted items available for sale.

Food available.

ADMISSION BY DONATION

Experience the sights, sounds, and spirit of the American Revolution, a day for the whole family, rain or shine, free, with: military units encampments, historic figures impersonators, artisans and art; weapons and uniforms displays; music and dance; authors lectures; local museums, 18th century games; scavenger hunt. Food trucks and local restaurants, free transportation from main parking at County Government Center.

Shenandoah Valley Art Center presents: Drawing, an Introduction with John Hancock. Experience the challenges and the joys of drawing in this 6 week class. Introducing beginners to the basics with essential incremental steps for drawing confidently from observation (and imagination too). We will explore a small range of drawing materials including graphite pencil, conte, pen and ink, and ink wash as we employ some of the very best traditional and contemporary drawing strategies. Loads of helpful handouts as well as group and personal feedback. (Registration: www.svacart.com or call 540-949-7662, Fee $310, June 20 – August 1, 10:30am – 1:00pm)

The Shenandoah Valley Art Center during the month of April, in the Cabell/Arehart Invitational Gallery, is exhibiting the artwork of Joan Graybeal Menad of New Hope, VA. Born and raised in the Washington, D.C. suburbs, Menard moved to the Shenandoah Valley in 2012. She has created art her entire life and enjoys combining multiple media in her work. In response to an often chaotic world, Joan creates her own fantasy figures. Her calm-faced ladies emerged during Covid, when she missed seeing people’s happy expressions. She hopes they bring a sense of peace and joy to viewers. “Life Is a Stage: Welcome to Joan of Art’s World” features her beloved ceramic figures alongside new mixed-media assemblages. Step into Joan’s imaginative world and stay awhile. The public is invited to the opening reception on April 4, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. where you can meet and talk to the artist. The exhibition will be open to the public April 4 – May 30, 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.

In the SVAC Member’s Gallery the theme is “Green.” The members will present their unique interpretations of the theme in each work of art which is priced to accommodate art collectors seeking pieces to expand their collection. The public is invited to view the exhibition, remembering that the art center serves the community by recognizing talent, encouraging creativity, and joining lives through art! The exhibition opening will be April 4, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. The exhibition will be open to the public April 4 – May 30, Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Saturday, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., 126 S. Wayne Avenue, Waynesboro, VA 22980.

Visit Smith House Galleries this month through June 26 to explore a fantastic exhibition of photo encaustic works by artist David A. Douglas! The show opens with a reception June 5, 5-7 pm. Regular hours are Mon-Fri, 11 am-4 pm, with additional hours June 6, 9 am-1 pm; and June 13, 10 am-2 pm. Closed June 19. Admission is free!

About the artist: David A. Douglas is a Virginia-based contemporary artist who has shown his work across the United States and abroad for over 40 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in painting from Virginia Intermont College and his Master of Fine Arts degree in painting from James Madison University. His photo-encaustic works on panel blend photography with drawing and painting techniques, incorporating traditional drawing and painting materials that provide depth and texture to the images, including the use of wax. Douglas’s work is held in numerous public, private, and corporate collections, including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Chrysler Museum, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, and the Academy Art Museum.

In his Artist Statement, Douglas shares, “My art is a series of actions and reactions. Do one thing, look at it, and decide what to do next. It is how I have always worked, in drawing and painting, through photography, and now with the addition of the computer.”

On Sunday, June 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., we invite you and your four legged friends out on the Highland Rustic Trails for a day of doggone good fun!

The Highland Rustic Trails are free and open to the public. All dogs must be leashed. Dog owners are responsible for cleaning up after their animals. Please keep our trails clean so everyone can enjoy their experience on the Highland Rustic Trails.

*Please note that while dogs will be allowed on the Highland Rustic Trails on June 21, from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., only service animals, as defined by the ADA, are permitted in the ticketed museum area.

Visit Smith House Galleries this month through June 26 to explore a fantastic exhibition of photo encaustic works by artist David A. Douglas! The show opens with a reception June 5, 5-7 pm. Regular hours are Mon-Fri, 11 am-4 pm, with additional hours June 6, 9 am-1 pm; and June 13, 10 am-2 pm. Closed June 19. Admission is free!

About the artist: David A. Douglas is a Virginia-based contemporary artist who has shown his work across the United States and abroad for over 40 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in painting from Virginia Intermont College and his Master of Fine Arts degree in painting from James Madison University. His photo-encaustic works on panel blend photography with drawing and painting techniques, incorporating traditional drawing and painting materials that provide depth and texture to the images, including the use of wax. Douglas’s work is held in numerous public, private, and corporate collections, including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Chrysler Museum, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, and the Academy Art Museum.

In his Artist Statement, Douglas shares, “My art is a series of actions and reactions. Do one thing, look at it, and decide what to do next. It is how I have always worked, in drawing and painting, through photography, and now with the addition of the computer.”

Visit Smith House Galleries this month through June 26 to explore a fantastic exhibition of photo encaustic works by artist David A. Douglas! The show opens with a reception June 5, 5-7 pm. Regular hours are Mon-Fri, 11 am-4 pm, with additional hours June 6, 9 am-1 pm; and June 13, 10 am-2 pm. Closed June 19. Admission is free!

About the artist: David A. Douglas is a Virginia-based contemporary artist who has shown his work across the United States and abroad for over 40 years. He received his Bachelor of Arts degree in painting from Virginia Intermont College and his Master of Fine Arts degree in painting from James Madison University. His photo-encaustic works on panel blend photography with drawing and painting techniques, incorporating traditional drawing and painting materials that provide depth and texture to the images, including the use of wax. Douglas’s work is held in numerous public, private, and corporate collections, including the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Chrysler Museum, Cedar Rapids Museum of Art, and the Academy Art Museum.

In his Artist Statement, Douglas shares, “My art is a series of actions and reactions. Do one thing, look at it, and decide what to do next. It is how I have always worked, in drawing and painting, through photography, and now with the addition of the computer.”

The Shenandoah Valley Art Center’s featured exhibit at the 416 Gallery is “Vivid Reflections” by Joey Truxell. Viewers are invited into a world where bold color, surreal imagery, and storytelling collide. His vividly rendered characters inhabit symbolic spaces that explore the tension between innocence and awareness. As the artist states, “This isn’t just art you look at – it’s art that looks back.” Based in Waynesboro, Virginia, Truxell draws on over five decades of experience across illustration, design, and muralism. His use of light and color reveals what he calls “the light within,” creating work that is both playful and thought-provoking - inviting viewers to engage and see differently. An Opening Reception will be held May 2, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. where you are invited to meet and talk to the artist. The exhibition will be open to the public May 2 – June 27, Tuesday – Thursday, 10:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m., Friday, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m., 416 W. Main St. Waynesboro, VA 22980.