Waynesboro, VA 22980 
About Shenandoah Valley Art Center
The Shenandoah Valley Art Center is a non-profit community art center aiming to bring art awareness and education to Waynesboro and the surrounding areas. Founded by a group of local artists in 1986, SVAC has brought hundreds of exhibits, classes, workshops, and performances to the Shenandoah Valley.As an IRS 501(c)(3) corporation, SVAC exists only through the generosity of our members, grants from The Virginia Commission for the Arts, The Community Foundation, and community donations. Aside from the Director, all work is done by our dedicated volunteers.
Since the move to Wayne Avenue in 2007, SVAC has grown to include more than 250 members and offers 3 galleries with exhibits that change monthly. We coordinate 2 or 3 intensive four-day workshops each year and a variety of classes in all media. We hold between four and six musical performances annually as well, bringing in regional and local acts for the public to enjoy for free of charge. Twice a year we also offer cultural trips to out-of-town museums and galleries.
Our Member’s Gallery serves all of our members, regardless of their level of formal training. The monthly themed shows bring in ever-changing and captivating works all year long. As long as a member’s dues are paid, they are eligible to submit. Twice a year we offer judged shows which help foster the confidence of emerging artists.
Piper Groves, Executive Director:
Piper is a self-taught artists specializing in printmaking and mixed-media works. She has a degree in business administration and a professional background in management. Outside of SVAC she is an active volunteer and a member of the Waynesboro Cultural Commission. Piper is on a personal mission to make downtown Waynesboro a real arts destination.
John Hancock, President:
John has recently settled in Waynesboro. However, since 2000 John has lived and taught in Charlottesville, Virginia amid the beautiful hills at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Prior to moving there, his life included stints in a number of areas of the Southeast and Midwest (from Atlanta to Wichita, from Florida to North Carolina). These moves, and his love of travel to both exotic and seemingly mundane places, fuel the imagery in his art. John regularly exhibits his art and has done so locally, regionally, nationally, and in England. In addition to my college teaching, he conducts workshops, makes presentations to, and judges art shows for professional and community art groups and schools. John has served on many Boards and Arts Councils and is bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience to SVAC.
Donna Kincaid, Vice President:
Donna is a clay artist and owner of Mountain Vision Pottery LLC in Nelson County featuring "Fun, Folk & Functional" Pottery and Sculpture. Married for 41 years, Donna was a realtor in Norfolk for 16 years, and has just stepped away from her time serving as president of the Nelson Farmer’s Market Co-operative.
Cynthia M. Doyle, Director-at-large:
Born and raised in Waynesboro, and grew up surrounded the majesty of the Blue Ridge. Owned and operated "Mad Anthony's" Restaurant with her husband Rodger. Cindy moved to North Carolina in 1981, worked in the field of child care for 22 years, returned home last summer. She studied watercolors under the tutelage of a private instructor and educated at Virginia Commonwealth University. Cindy is currently painting floral images from composite photos- they are large and colorful.
Active in the art community in Va. & NC and is featured in galleries in Nags Head "Morales Art" Wilmington “New Elements Art Gallery" Raleigh "Firehouse Gallery".
Pat Garnett, Director of Classes:
Pat is a long-time artist and a dedicated art teacher. Her annual watercolor class fills up every year, and she has students who refuse to let her stop teaching! Pat is a veteran Board Member and is returning to schedule all the classes at the Center.
Martha Bunch, Treasurer:
Martha is a professional bookkeeper who generously gives her time to SVAC, taking care of traditional Treasurer duties as well as filing taxes, managing payroll, and overall financial management of SVAC.
Betty Barksdale, Secretary:
Betty has had extensive secretarial training and is a long-time Waynesboro resident. Her interest in the arts and a passion for community involvement are what brought her to the SVAC board 9 years ago.
Tom Brown, Building and Grounds:
Tom is an accomplished handyman by hobby, having participated in the remodeling and restoration of many houses. Tom served as a Chief in the Criminal Investigation Division of the Internal Revenue Service before moving on to work at Interpol until his retirement.
Ruby Canody, Workshops:
In her professional life Ruby was an administrative assistant and interior decorator. She is currently the President of the Central Virginia Watercolor Guild as well as organizing all exhibits for the Augusta County Library. Ruby is active in many art groups and is a good patron of local arts.
Pamela Martin, Exhibits:
Pam is new to the area from Baltimore. She is an accomplished photographer and is a retired architectural/engineering designer for Honeywell. She also attended the Maryland Institute College of Art.
Betty Arehart, Fundraising:
Betty has been on the SVAC Board for about 12 years, in several positions. As co-chair of the fundraising for the extensive SVAC building renovation in 2005-6, she was instrumental in SVAC’s move to a more prominent location. Betty is an active working artist and a member of several local art organizations.
Corey Ericson, Media Relations:
Corey is a DuPont retiree who holds a Ph.D. in Theoretical Physical Chemistry from the University of Deleware. He had a 38 year career that took him all over the world. Corey has been an avid photographer for more than 50 years.
Judy Harlow, Docent Director:
Judy is a Waynesboro native, making her uniquely qualified for this position; she knows just about everybody, at least by name.
