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.

Shenandoah Valley Art Center presents: The Artist’s Sketchbook: Foundations in Color, Texture and Techniques with Rainbow Willard. Whether you are just getting started or want to reignite your creativity , this six week class is designed to help artists build technical skill while developing a personal visual voice- all within the pages of a working sketchbook. You will explore foundational techniques like color mixing, layering, and value studies using accessible materials like graphite, colored pencil, and acrylic paint. Each class includes a worm-up prompt, a focused technique or concept, and time for play, exploration, and reflection. This course is ideal for anyone seeking structure inspiration, or a return to joyful artmaking. You will leave with a sketchbook full of creative breakthroughs and a toolbox of techniques to keep your practice going strong. 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.( $175, material fee $10, Wednesdays, 10:30 a.m. – 12:00 p.m., October 8, 15, 22, 29, November 12, 19, register: www.rainbowwillard.com/shop )

Shenandoah Valley Art Center presents: Drawing and Sketching for Painters with John Hancock. Introducing beginners to the basics of drawing, this course begins with essential incremental steps providing students with the basics of drawing from observation with regular practice. You will start with pencil, then move on to using conté and inks. Expect loads of demos and handouts! Students will work on many small projects and exercises but also leave the course with several finished pieces. Let’s explore drawing with an eye greater visual impact and just maybe better accuracy too!
Suitable for beginners and advanced students or artists seeking to brush up on essential skills. Experience the challenges and the joys of drawing in this 6-week, Wednesday afternoon class. Loads of helpful handouts as well as group and personal feedback. (Fee: $295, Wednesdays, September 3, 10, 17, 24, October 1, 8, 1:30 – 4:00 pm, Register: www.johnahancock.com/new-products/drawing-and-sketching-for-painters-at-svac , 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,

The Shenandoah Valley Art Center during the month of August, in the Cabell/Arehart Invitational Gallery, is presenting Elizabeth Moss: Passages Through Art, Myth, Magic, and Healing. Moss built a career in arts administration and curatorial pursuits. As a seasoned visual artist, Elizabeth has spent over two decades exploring the power of symbolism, storytelling, and nature through her work. A deep personal vision- one rooted in mythology, sacred imagery, and the organic forms of the natural world are reflected in her work. In her own words, “I have a fascination with symbols and the effect these images can have on the subconscious. Serendipitously, symbols keep showing up in my life, and as a result in my work. My imagination is inspired by myth, sacred icons, the gods and goddesses, masks, and Mother Gaia. Especially by the ocean and the forest. Both provide evocative opportunities to observe the geometry and symbols created by nature. The story is there to be discovered in each line, whorl and tint of color. The artwork I create speaks to the universal connection I feel we all have with each other and the natural world.” The exhibition opening will be August 2, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and guests are welcome to meet and talk to the artist The exhibition is open to the public August 2 – September 27, 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 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, January 8, 15, 22, 29, 416 W. Main St., Waynesboro, VA 22980)

In the SVAC Member’s Gallery, the Small Works Exhibit presents unique works of art by center members with prices to accommodate art collectors seeking pieces for holiday gift-giving or 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! An Opening reception to meet the artists will be held on Nov. 1, 5 :00 – 7:00 p.m. The exhibition will be open to the public November 1 – December 27, 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.

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.