Shenandoah Arts Council Events & Upcoming Shows
Aug 31, 2023
Our conversation today with Lisa Sipp, Executive Director for Shenandoah Arts Council gave us plenty of details for ShenArtsFest, upcoming shows, and ArtScape banners.
ShenArtsFest takes place on September 9/10, 2023 from 11am - 6pm on the Downtown Walking Mall in Old Town Winchester. It's an immersive art experience showcasing established, emerging, and unrepresented artists. The event will include a flash mob experience, dance and musical performances, along with artist demos and LOTS of art for sale. Learn more here: https://www.facebook.com/events/642090837678904
Shenandoah Arts Council will celebrate 45 years with "Sapphire," a juried member exhibition that explores the color blue in a variety of genres and styles. This exhibition will be on display through Art in the Halls at The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley from October 17, 2023, to January 14, 2024. There will be an opening reception on Tuesday, October 24, from 5pm - 7pm where guests will meet the artists and celebrate the 2023 Hearts for the Arts award recipient, Ting-Yu Chen, Shenandoah University Associate Dean and Conservatory Dance Professor.
The Shenandoah Arts Council is seeking artists who are veterans or on active duty (all branches) to submit up to three pieces of work (all mediums) to be considered for inclusion in their annual Veterans Art Show. Submission is free and artists receive 100% of sales. The submission deadline is October 1, 2023. The exhibition will be free for viewing at Mosaic Church (134 N. Loudoun St., Winchester) on November 4/5 from 1:30pm - 4pm and November 10/11 from 1:30pm - 4:30pm. Learn more here: https://www.shenarts.org/call-for-art-2023-annual-veterans-show/
Lisa also explained how the ArtScape banners are chosen and the important role sponsorship plays in featuring as many banners as possible. Since 2009, the Shenandoah Arts Council (ShenArts) has partnered with Old Town Winchester to create an outdoor gallery in the historic district of downtown Winchester, Virginia. Artists of all ages are invited to participate in this juried art competition. Selected works are reproduced on banners that hang on light posts throughout the downtown area. The Museum of the Shenandoah Valley provides support for this program as the host sponsor, displaying the original works of art in its Art in the Halls program. Learn more about artist submission deadlines and sponsorship details here: https://www.shenarts.org/about-artscape/
Before we wrapped up our chat, Lisa gave details for their various youth art programs. Every March, Youth Art Month is celebrated nationwide to bring focus to the arts and its impact on the total education and growth of young people. ShenArts joins organizations across the country in encouraging a commitment to art education, for building not only creativity, but also problem-solving, observation, and communication. Learn more about youth programs here: https://www.shenarts.org/programs/kids-art-club/
Find more details about programs, events, membership and sponsorship opportunities on their website: https://www.shenarts.org/ and follow them on Facebook and on Instagram.
In September 1978, a group of visual artists and arts patrons gathered with a common goal to bring art to the Northern Shenandoah Valley. This group became known as the Shenandoah Arts Council (ShenArts). Through the years, ShenArts has brought together a variety of artists and their unique styles and offered diverse programming to its members and the public.