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Welcome to the Shenandoah Arts Council! Our motto: “Bringing the arts to the people and the people to the arts.” As an arts service organization, the Council supports and promotes the diverse and vibrant artists and arts organizations in our community. Our service area covers the city of Winchester, the surrounding counties of Frederick, Clarke, Warren and Shenandoah in Virginia; as well as adjacent counties in both West Virginia and Maryland.

The Council, located at 811 S. Loudoun Street in Winchester, VA, also owns and operates an arts facility which encompasses three different galleries. The Council offers rotating exhibitions as well as artistic performances, classes, and special events. 

The galleries are free and open to the public. Our hours are Tuesday through Saturday, 1 – 5 pm.

Current Exhibition:

9th Annual Black History Month Celebration 
"American Beauty: Black Women Today"
January 30 - February 27, 2010
Opening Reception: January 30 from 6 - 8pm 

Our 9th annual celebration is an invitational exhibition focusing on the subject and/or work of African American women, featuring the work of Loretta Allison (Berryville, VA); Gerri Banks-Holsey (Martinsburg, WV); Ray Hart (Ashburn, VA); and posthumously, Gail Smith, (City Councilwoman, Berryville, VA). Other work provided by Queen Street Gallery in Martinsburg.   This year, the Council is triple blessed with our main sponsor, The Marion Park Lewis Foundation, as well as the Coalition for Racial Unity and the Winchester Chapter of the NAACP.  All events are FREE and open to the public - donations are ALWAYS welcome.

Other Black History Month Events at the Council:

January 30, 6 - 8pm: Opening reception, catering by Tropical Island Coffee & Cafe
February 5, 7pm: Partnership with Magic Lantern Theater, showing "Jump at the Sun," a documentary on author Zora Neale Huston (sponsor: Coalition of Racial Unity)
February 13, 7pm: Sultry sweet songs by jazz songstress Susan Summers - some hot jazz to warm up your Valentine (sponsor: NAACP)
February 20, 2 - 4pm: Panel Discussion on the state of affairs for African American women today
February 27, 2 - 4pm: Discussion of "Their Eyes Were Watching God," by Zora Neale Hurston with Josephine School Community Museum book club*

Upcoming Exhibitions:

Youth Art Month
Saturday, March 6 - April 9, 2010
Opening Reception: Saturday, March 6 from 2 - 4pm
Come and be inspired!  View artwork from area students, K – 12th grade, and their amazing artwork.  Over 100 pieces of art from public, private, and home schooled children.  Inspirational for all. 

New Works Gallery:
Featuring new work from Winchester artists Julie Read & Joe Cunningham
April - May 2010 (Dates TBD)
Watercolors by Julie, mixed media from Joe.  These artists were juried into the 2nd annual First Art Show, a juried exhibition that benefited First Night Winchester, the celebration of the arts on New Year’s Eve.  The jury selected Read’s & Cunningham’s work to be featured in the front gallery.