Community Calendar

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 )

Live Arts Radio PSAs
STAGE KISS
Contact andrew@livearts.org with any questions.
PSA 1
Length: 10 seconds
VO: Superstar playwright Sarah Rulh’s STAGE KISS opens at Live Arts on January 23rd, 2026 and runs through February 15th! Directed by Robert Chapel, visit livearts.org for tickets.

PSA 2
Length: 20 seconds
VO: Live Arts is pleased to present the charming and profound comedy, STAGE KISS, by Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl. This witty play-within-a-play explores the hilarious and often messy lines between professional performance and personal passion, asking: when is a kiss ever just a kiss? Directed by Robert Chapel, visit livearts.org for tickets.

PSA 3
Length: 30 seconds
VO: Live Arts’ first show of the new year is Sarah Ruhl's charming comedy STAGE KISS. This witty play-within-a-play explores the hilarious and often messy lines between professional performance and personal passion, asking: when is a kiss ever just a kiss? The story centers on two actors, cast as long-lost romantic leads in a forgotten 1930s melodrama. The catch: they were once in love and haven't seen each other in years. January 23rd through February 15th at Live Arts, 123 East Water Street. Tickets at livearts.org, or call 434-977-4177. Directed by Robert Chapel, sponsored by Janet and Charles Cheeseman.

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.

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)

Building and supporting our community is what we do at the LIFEworks Project! We invite you to shop our client choice grocery outlet today from 4:30pm-7pm.
The River City Bread Basket is located at 505 N. Winchester Ave. in Waynesboro, Va.
Select what works best for you and your family! Grab a shopping cart and not a box!
All items are available while supplies last! Meat, eggs, dairy and more! All FREE!
Call 540-251-2381 to register
We’ll see you soon! #ThriveThursday
#distributionwithdignity #buildcommunity
#foodjustice #empowerment

On Thursday February 12th, To Celebrate Black History Month, The Charlottesville Jazz Society, WTJU and The Center at Belvedere present Michael Hawkins and The Brotherhood with special guest John D'earth, performing at 6 pm at The Center at Belvedere.

Michael Hawkins is an exciting and charismatic bassist currently residing in the Richmond, Virginia area. His commanding presence and swinging pulse quickly catapulted him to the top of his profession, enabling him to perform with some of the world’s greatest musicians.

By 16, he was leading his own band and performing regularly in the Washington, D.C., area. Upon receiving a full scholarship, Hawkins studied music at Virginia State University. Next, he made his way to New York City, where he earned a master’s degree in Jazz Studies from Queen’s College and shared the stage with some of the world’s greatest musicians. Internationally, Hawkins has toured and performed with some of the biggest names in Music, including jazz legends Jimmy Heath, Eric Alexander, Gary Bartz and Cyrus Chestnut. Michael's working group, The Brotherhood, is comprised of the top bebop jazz players in Virginia: pianist Weldon Hill, drummer Billy Williams and saxophonist James Saxsmo Gates.

For this special Charlottesville performance, John D'earth will join the band on trumpet. The concert is sponsored by The Charlottesville Jazz Society, WTJU and The Center at Belvedere.

Come learn the sport of rugby while getting fit and making great friends. All are welcome. No experience necessary.

Live Arts Radio PSAs
STAGE KISS
Contact andrew@livearts.org with any questions.
PSA 1
Length: 10 seconds
VO: Superstar playwright Sarah Rulh’s STAGE KISS opens at Live Arts on January 23rd, 2026 and runs through February 15th! Directed by Robert Chapel, visit livearts.org for tickets.

PSA 2
Length: 20 seconds
VO: Live Arts is pleased to present the charming and profound comedy, STAGE KISS, by Pulitzer Prize finalist Sarah Ruhl. This witty play-within-a-play explores the hilarious and often messy lines between professional performance and personal passion, asking: when is a kiss ever just a kiss? Directed by Robert Chapel, visit livearts.org for tickets.

PSA 3
Length: 30 seconds
VO: Live Arts’ first show of the new year is Sarah Ruhl's charming comedy STAGE KISS. This witty play-within-a-play explores the hilarious and often messy lines between professional performance and personal passion, asking: when is a kiss ever just a kiss? The story centers on two actors, cast as long-lost romantic leads in a forgotten 1930s melodrama. The catch: they were once in love and haven't seen each other in years. January 23rd through February 15th at Live Arts, 123 East Water Street. Tickets at livearts.org, or call 434-977-4177. Directed by Robert Chapel, sponsored by Janet and Charles Cheeseman.

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.

The Shenandoah Valley Art Center, during the month of July, is exhibiting the artwork of Group 6. This exhibit presents recent work by its six members who are established artists living and working in Virginia, women who meet regularly to show, discuss and critique their work. Primarily known as painters, some in the group also create in collage, vitreous enamel, clay, photography and printmaking. Their work is shaped by an interest in abstraction and a commitment to process and creative inquiry. By choice or necessity, Group 6 artists spend most of their working time alone in the studio, so it’s particularly valuable to gather as a group to exchange ideas and information, provide analysis, offer challenges and encouragement, and build friendships. All group members have studied and /or taught at Beverley Street Studio School in Staunton, and for the past several years the group has met with guest advisors Ron Boehmer and Nan Covert. Members participate in solo and group exhibits nationally and regionally, and their work can be found in public, corporate, and private collections in the United States and abroad. The exhibition Opening is July 12, 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. and an ART Talk with Group 6 is August 13, 2:00 p.m. Come meet Lindsay Freedman, Janly Jaggard, June Jordan, Joan Ranzini, Krista Townsend, and Christine Watts. The exhibit is open to the public: July 12 - August – 30, Tuesday – Friday, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. at 416 W. Main Street, Waynesboro, VA 22980.