Hello fellow art lovers,
Autumn is shaping up to be an exciting time here at the art center. We've kept our momentum rolling after a wonderful weekend at Art in the Park and have several exciting events and exhibits lined up for this season. Saturday Art Labs are returning and we couldn't be more excited for the kids to be back in our classrooms! We are also thrilled to be back at Queen City Mischief and Magic this weekend and looking forward to being back at Staunton Pride this October.
As always we also have some great art lined up for you! We will be partnering with our friends at Staunton Outside Arts to bring you a one night pop-up exhibition for Staunton's First Fridays on October 6th. Most exciting to me though is our newest exhibition, Laughing Picture, from Staunton's own Andrew Davis. Of all the artists I've met throughout the years, few have had the raw talent and vision that Andrew has. I've had the pleasure of knowing Andrew for over a decade and have had the joy of watching his work evolve over the years but was still unprepared for how hauntingly beautiful this exhibition would be. I do hope you will be able to join us for Andrew's opening reception and see for yourself how masterful an artist Andrew truly is!
Angus Carter
Executive Director
Staunton Augusta Art Center
Winners, Winners, and more Winners!
If you attended the 56th Annual Art in the Park over Labor Day weekend in Gypsy Hill Park you already know that it was a huge success! And it was so wonderful to see you all there! We couldn’t have had such a successful event without you!
This was one of our largest Art in the Park festivals in recent memory and we are honored to have had so many new and returning artists participate this year! A special thanks to Drea Howenstein, a Studio Art professor at Mary Baldwin University, for her expertise as the official judge for the event. This year's winners include:
BEST IN SHOW 2D: Craig Snodgrass
BEST IN SHOW 3D: Noah Hughey-Commers
SECOND PLACE: Vu Nguyen
THIRD PLACE: Molly Schermer
BEST IN CRAFT: Ellen Reid
This year we also added the DAEDALUS AWARD FOR CREATIVE USE OF MATERIALS which went to Lincoln Slusher
At eleven years old, Lincoln is by far the youngest artist to participate in Art in the Park! Lincoln's wildly wonderful Lego floral arrangements were a crowd favorite and a sight to behold. We were truly thrilled to be able to present Lincoln with his first but surely not last, award for his art and be able to witness the beginnings of this burgeoning artist's career!
If you missed Art in the Park this year, you really missed out! Don't worry though, we will have others! You can keep up to date on all those by visiting our event page here...
Exhibition: Laughing Picture
We are excited to announce the opening of Andrew Davis, Laughing Picture, running September 22 – October 28 in the galleries. The official opening reception of Laughing Picture is Friday, September 29 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm in the galleries. Andrew Davis’ work is an explosive introduction to work rarely seen at the Art Center, and we are so proud to showcase the work of this dynamo local artist! Andrew's brilliant painterly technique draws the viewers into dreamscapes and thought-provoking subject matter.
We can't wait to see you at the opening and in the meantime you can check out Andrew's other work here...
Your Dream Vacation!
What is the hottest ticket in town?! The Art Center introduces its first-time Travel Raffle, your chance to win your choice of one of four travel destinations throughout the world! Super exciting, while benefiting your favorite arts organization! Should you win there are Four Destinations to choose from…but remember you don’t win if you don’t play!
Winner chooses one of the following:
5 night London package with air from Dulles
4 night NYC package with train from Charlottesville
4 night Iceland package with air from Dulles
6-8 night Cruise with Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
Raffle tickets are only $25 but hurry they are selling out fast!
The drawing will be held on October 18, 2023, so act fast!
For more details and to purchase tickets click here...
Kids Programs!
Saturday Art Labs are back for the fall season from 10 am – 12 noon every Saturday! Classes focus on different themes and mediums to inspire students to create using diverse techniques and historical-artistic concepts. Labs are made possible due to a generous donation from Eric Stamer Catering
For class details and registration, click here...
Mischief and Magic
The Queen City Mischief and Magic Festival returns THIS weekend – Saturday, September 23, and Sunday, September 23 – in downtown Staunton. The Art Center will feature Dragon Egg Painting in the Memorial Garden behind the R. R. Smith Center at 20 New Street from 10 am - 6 pm. These painted Dragon Eggs have become annual keepsakes for many festival guests. These could be yours for $1 a decorative egg- if you’re downtown, come visit the garden and bring home a festival souvenir! For full event program, visit them here...
First Fridays
Staunton First Fridays are here and so are we! Friday, October 6th from 5-7 pm, we will be partnering with our friends at Staunton Outside Arts to bring you a one night pop-up exhibition, featuring the work of multimedia artist Cecilia Kim. This special event is part of the Terrain Biennale festival put on by Staunton Outside Arts. To learn more about this festival and SOA, visit them here...
Staunton Pride
Pride is back at Gypsy Hill Park and we will be there showing our love and support for the LGBTQ+ community! Join us on October 7th and add your message of Love on our interactive LOVE sign! For more info on Staunton Pride, visit them here...
Art For Gifts Returns!
Mark Your Calendars for Art for Gifts – running November 10 – December 31- the artful and thoughtful arts boutique featuring dozens of local and regional artists and artisans. The perfect unique gift for the holidays! Art Center Members are also invited to the Art for Gifts Member Preview Party, an opportunity to drink some bubbly and shop the boutique before the opening! This year our member's party will be November 9th from 5-8 pm.
Not a member? That's a shame but it's not too late! You can become one easily by clicking here!
Thank You!
As always, we appreciate your support for the arts in Staunton and Augusta County! It is through your financial contributions that we are able to help make this area such a vibrant artistic hub! If you would care to make a tax-deductible contribution to SAAC so we can continue to fulfill our mission of supporting the arts, you can do so at any point by clicking here...
If you are unable to make a contribution at this moment but would still like to support us, you can consider helping in other ways such as.....
Creating a Facebook birthday fundraiser
Encouraging friends and family to become members
Volunteering at SAAC events