The Staunton community is home to a variety of art organizations and artists.

> Visual Arts
> Music
> Gallery Walks
> Film Cinema
> Theater

Visual Arts

Children's Art Network brings art to the classroom and the community. Traveling studio program, community art projects and more. Contact: 540-885-3329 (art4kids@ntelos.net )

The Staunton / Augusta Art Center located at 20-22 S. New Street. Exhibits, children's programs, art lectures, theater trips, Arts for Gifts-exhibit and sale, Summer Studio.Contact: Beth Hodge, Exec. Dir., 885-2028 or email at info@saartcenter.org

The Beverley Street Studio School located at 24 W. Beverley Street in Downtown Staunton. Art classes, gallery exhibits, workshops, discussions. Phone: (540) 886-8636.



Music

The Staunton Music Festival will celebrate its tenth season in 2007, and has gained a reputation for its adventurous and innovative programming, unusual breadth of repertoire, and performers of international caliber. Festival activities have ranged from Baroque music outdoors to African drumming workshops, romantic chamber music, traditional Japanese music, and premieres of works by contemporary Virginia composers.

Dinner and Live Jazz Events - Staunton features two weekly dinner and jazz events, with a variety of different styles and performers. Tuesday is Live Jazz with vocalist Jennifer Kirkland and guitarist Bert Carlson at Staunton's The Dining Room at 29 N. Augusta Street, from 6:30-9:00 p.m., Year Round. Call 540-213-0606 for availability and reservations. Wednesday is live jazz at Staunton's Mill Street Grill, featuring a variety of players each week, from cool jazz to Dixieland, booked and hosted by bassist Lew Morrison. 7:30-10:30 p.m., year round.

Jazz in the Park is a 10-week series of free jazz concerts held at the Stonewall Brigade Bandstand in Gypsy Hill Park on Thursdays at 8 pm during the summer and featuring top quality jazz groups. The season begins in July and runs through August.

The Stonewall Brigade Band performs at the Stonewall Brigade Bandstand in Gypsy Hill Park each Monday night at 8 pm during June, July and August. The free concerts feature stirring marches, show tunes, popular music, overtures, and selections from American authors. Members are from the Staunton area musical community.

Shakin' is a series of good-rockin' concerts held at the Johnson Street Parking Lot in Downtown Staunton on Thursdays from 6-8 pm beginning May thru August. Top professional bands from around the State are featured. Alcoholic & non-alcoholic beverages, food sales. Proceeds benefit local non-profit organizations.

Oak Grove Folk Music Festival is an intimate, family-oriented weekend where folks come to hear music under the trees at Virginia's oldest outdoor theater. The OAK GROVE is located 2 miles west of Verona on Route 612 (I-81 - Exit 227 West) The OAK GROVE is handicapped accessible. There are no camping facilities at OAK GROVE.

The Ovation Singers is a 30-member choral group with a broad repertoire of popular, historical, classical, patriotic, sacred and secular music. The group performs at both private and public events and for community/charitable fund-raisers. Its performance of Handel's "Messiah" is an annual highlight of the Staunton Christmas season. For information regarding programs and availability, contact Ray Hoaster, Director at 540-886-2825.

The Staunton Choral Society, under the direction of Janet Larner, holds two concerts per year in the John Lewis Auditorium of Robert E. Lee High School, in May and December. Participation is open to interested persons, with rehearsals held Mondays, 7-9 p.m. in the social hall of First Baptist Church. Rehearsals for the Spring Concert begin in January, while rehearsals for the Christmas Concert begin in September.

Staunton Community Concerts has been presenting the finest of professional touring artists since 1979. The concerts are usually held at John Lewis Auditorium, Robert E. Lee High School. The Staunton Season Subscription usually includes admittance to the Waynesboro Community Concert Series. Contact C. Hoaster at 540-886-2825.

Valley Symphonic Concerts presents three performances each season featuring the Richmond and Roanoke Symphony Orchestras. The concert series is committed to expanding the audience for classical music and to encouraging and supporting young musicians in the Shenandoah Valley through an education program. Valley Symphonic Concerts is a non-profit organization and is run by an all volunteer board of directors. Concerts are held in Staunton.

The Shenandoah Valley Children's Choir, 200+ children in 5 choirs from across the Shenandoah Valley. Instruction in vocal production, diction, breathing, score study, musicianship, theory and performing skills, with a strong emphasis on the Kodaly approach. Contact: Judy Leaman, Choir Manager (540) 432-4650 or visit www.emu.edu/svcc.



Gallery Walks

The Historic Downtown is dotted with a variety of artistic offerings...
Indulge in a gallery walk, and enjoy.

Art Shop On The Wharf 29 Middlebrook Ave. Specializing in art prints from local and regional artists and custom framing. Art Shop on the Wharf will also carry Blue Ridge Pottery, candles, stained glass from artist Ann Walsh and jewelry by Ruth Gardner. (540) 886-7641

Brownstone Gallery at 122 N. Lewis Street, framed and unframed limited edition fine art prints by local and national artists. P. Buckley Moss and other collectibles and reproduction and decorative accessories, fine and fashion jewelry, readymade and custom picture and photo frames and print ordering service. Open Friday-Monday 11 am-5 pm. Day after Thanksgiving thru December 24th, Sunday-Saturday, 11 am-7 pm. Closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. (540) 885-2573

The Beverley Street Studio School at 24 West Beverley Street, with exhibit openings and classes. Open: Tuesday-Friday, 10 am-1 pm. (540) 886-8636.
Co-Art Gallery, Inc., at 22 W. Beverley Street, the Shenandoah Valley's largest cooperative gallery. Original artwork by award-winning artists at affordable prices. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-5 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm . (540) 886-0737.

Co-Art Gallery, Inc., at 22 W. Beverley Street, the Shenandoah Valley's largest cooperative gallery. Original artwork by award-winning artists at affordable prices. Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-5 pm and Sunday 1 pm to 5 pm . (540) 886-0737.

Downtown Art Supply/Coffee On the Corner at 138-140 E. Beverley Street, Winsor & Newton, liquitex, Derwent, made to order pre-stretched canvas, paper, sketch books. Open Monday-Tuesday, 8 am-7pm, Wednesday-Saturday 8 am-12 midnight. (540) 887-0041.

The Frame Gallery at 21 N. Market Street, features paintings, sculpture, pottery, furniture, glass & original graphics. Many works by Virginia artisans. Open: Tuesday-Friday, 9:30 am-5 pm, Saturdays 9:30 am-2 pm. (540) 885-2697.

Gallery 234 at 234 W. Frederick St. Staunton's newest art gallery featuring a collection of unique original artworks. Open Fridays and Saturdays, April through December from 11:00 am until 5:00 pm. By appointment year round. (540) 887-2345.

Local Color at 300 W. Beverley Street. Functional art, fresh flowers. 540-886-1730

Kronos Gallery at 14 Byers St., 2nd floor 540-213-1815

Middlebrook Gallery at 5 Middlebrook Ave. International pieces and sculptures by local artist Ken Smith. Open Thursday through Sunday, 11:00 am to 6:00 pm. (540) 885-9955.

Naked Creek Pottery Gallery at 112 South New Street.

Painted Thunder Studio at 19 West Beverley St.

2-D-O at 29 East Beverley Street, offers hand-painted furniture and furnishings. Open: Thursdays, 11 am-3 pm, Saturdays, 1 pm-4 pm. (540) 886-1730.
Sculptures by Willie Ferguson, Local artist Willie Ferguson has created some remarkable sculptures that can be seen around the city including in front of his business, Ferguson Metal Fabrication, 765 Middlebrook Avenue. The watering can and the flower pots are located at the junction of Greenville Avenue and Coalter Street, the giant open book can be located at the Staunton Public Library, the giant plow is at the intersection of Statler Boulevard and New Hope Road and the two giant goose quill pens and scrolls, created and painted by Willie Ferguson, is located at the intersection of Beverley & New Streets at the Pen & Paper shop.

The Second Floor of City Hall at 116 West Beverley Street features art by many local children. City Hall is open 8 am to 5 pm weekdays.

Staunton Augusta Art Center at 20-22 S. New St. Exhibits, children's programs, art lectures, theater trips, Arts for Gifts-exhibit and sale, Summer Studio. Beth Hodge, Exec. Dir., 885-2028.

SunSpots at 202 South Lewis Street, unique items created on site for the home and garden. Free glassblowing demonstrations seven days a week as well as copper welding. Open Monday-Friday 10 am-5:30 pm, Saturday, 9 am-5 pm, Sunday, 11:30 am-5:00 pm, (540) 885-0678.

Blue Mountain Coffee (Byers Street) and Coffee on the Corner (Beverley @ Market) coffee houses downtown both feature changing displays of art.



Film & Cinema

Staunton's Visulite Cinema opened its doors once again in January 2006 to give moviegoers a "premium movie experience." The theater shows quality films with great attention to the details of the movie-going experience. The 1936 vintage theater has been rennovated and restored and will offer multiple screens. For more information and to get current schedules, check out the theater's website at http://www.visulitecinema.com/.

The Dixie Theater, hosts The Staunton Performing Arts Center, a nonprofit organization, who envisions developing and operating a performing arts center in the historic Dixie Theater at 125-127 East Beverley Street. By preserving and enhancing this historic building, the theater will provide an affordable venue for local performing arts groups and individual artists, and traveling artists of national and international renown. The theater is currently operated by members of SPAC as a four-plex movie theater until restoration can begin. To learn about the theater or what's now showing, check out http://www.thedixietheater.com.

Theater

The Staunton Performing Arts Center, a nonprofit organization, envisions developing and operating a performing arts center in the historic Dixie Theater at 125-127 East Beverley Street. By preserving an enhancing this historic building, the theater will provide an affordable venue for local performing arts groups and individual artists, and traveling artists of national and international renown. The theater is currently operated by members of SPAC as a four-plex movie theater until restoration can begin. To learn about the theater or what's now showing, check out http://www.thedixietheater.com.

A. N. T. S. (A New Theatrical Society) is a theatrical club open to anyone interested in learning improvisational skills and theatrical communication techniques. There is a focus on Grutowski/Spolin-based techniques and development of meditative and concentration skills. Meets Monday & Wednesday, ongoing, at Nelson Street Center, 7-9 pm. Call Recreation Department at (540) 332-3945 for info.

ShenanArts uses the power of Theater to build bridges of compassion, understanding and a richer sense of fellowship among the communities they serve - locally and globally. ShenanArts is a not-for-profit, professionally-directed community service organization. (540) 248-1868.

Praised by critics for "blowing the cobwebs out of Elizabethan drama," American Shakespeare Center delights audiences at home and abroad with a fresh, energetic approach to Shakespeare. Whether you're considering a visit by the SSE to your campus or performing arts center, or planning to take in an evening of entertainment at the Blackfriars Playhouse in Staunton, Virginia, Shenandoah Shakespeare promises "shamelessly entertaining" productions at affordable prices.

Oak Grove Theater is a wonderful outdoor theater just North of Staunton about to celebrate its 50th summer season. Many enjoy a picnic in the woods before the sun sets and the show begins. Then the night is filled with music, laughter, and drama as the Oak Grove Players display their magic.