Our mission is to expand the influence of visual arts in our community by supporting artists, driving creative opportunities, and fostering lasting connections that enrich the community.

Shenandoah Valley Art Center was founded in 1986 by  a group of local artists. They were looking for exhibit space and a fellowship organization for artists. Over the years SVAC has grown into a cultural cornerstone of downtown Waynesboro. In 2005 we bought our building at 122 S. Wayne Avenue and renovated it from the ground up. After moving in in 2007 we continued to grow, and we purchased an additional building for expansion. 416 W. Main Street opened to the public in 2023.

We are the only Community Art Center in our area, and the only full-time dedicated exhibition gallery in Waynesboro. We have about 12 main exhibits per year, 9 members exhibits, and 4-6 community exhibits. We periodic weekly children's classes, summer art camps, and a variety of adult classes and workshops each year. We have 12 studios for our resident artists, and a fully equipped intaglio printmaking studio.  Our members may also benefit from our fully equipped framing studio.

We are funded through memberships, foundation and community grants, and donations from artists and art lovers. The Community Foundation of the Central Blue Ridge and the City of Waynesboro are annual supporters and we are generously funded in part by the Virginia Commission for the Arts and the National Endowment for the Arts.

Meet Our Board and Staff:

President
Leigh Evans

 Vice President
Sherri Ciszek

Treasurer/ Membership
Hilary Quesenberry

Secretary
Ellen Slusarcyzk

Advisor
Susan Bruney

Media Relations Director
Lynn Conyers

 Advisor
Jay Messenger

 Advisor
Katie Harris

STAFF:
Piper Groves, Executive Director
Eileen O’Rourke, Director of Operations
Kerry Romig, Special Events Coordinator
Lana Lambers, Programming Director

Here’s a link where you can support us.

We also plan and present the largest two day art festival in the Shenandoah Valley: the Virginia Fall Foliage Art Show, now in its 54th year. The Fall Foliage Art Show features 150 juried fine artists, local music, gourmet food trucks, and regional craft beer.

SVAC does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.