This September, the Shenandoah National Park Trust is hosting Art in the Park: Scenes from Shenandoah. This 3-day inaugural event will feature workshops and demonstrations by local artists from across the region that are free and open to the public. These teaching artists—whose mediums range from watercolor, charcoal, and photography to fiber art, printmaking, and music—will conduct events throughout the weekend designed to engage, educate, and inspire visitors to connect with Shenandoah.
**RED TEXT INDICATES A CHANGE IN PROGRAMMING DUE TO RAIN.**
There will be a Pop-Up Gallery in the Big Meadows Lodge’s Massanutten Room displaying artwork from previous Artists-in-Residence throughout the weekend, open at the following times:
- Friday: 1:00 – 5:00pm
- Saturday: 9:00am – 5:00pm
- Sunday: 9:00am – 12:00pm
Weekend Programming Schedule
Friday, September 22
Inspired by Big Meadows | Ann Cheeks
1:00 – 3:00pm | Rapidan Road Parking Area (mile 51.1)
With Big Meadows as inspiration, participants will create one-of-a-kind expressions of what excites them in Shenandoah National Park. Ann will encourage participants to experiment with what nature has to offer, using acrylics and multiple techniques, to create unique art in a fun workshop.
Joy of Writing | Ines Sun, current SNPT Artist-in-Residence
1:00 – 2:00pm; 2:00 – 3:00pm | Tent at Byrd Visitor Center (mile 51)
The joy of practicing calligraphy, an ancient art form, is rooted in our breathing. As we breathe in and out mindfully, magic happens. During the 60 minutes of the workshop, we will start simple breathing exercises, then combine stroke practice with Chinese calligraphy brushes. The participants will learn how to hold the brush, connect with the breath, and draw Chinese characters inspired by the beauty of Shenandoah.
Chinese calligraphy practice is known for its calming effects on the mind and health benefits for longevity.
Kick-Off Concert | LUA Project
7:30 – 8:30pm | UPDATED LOCATION: BYRD VISITOR CENTER AUDITORIUM (mile 51)
Lua is a cultural pollinator, bridging together musical styles from different continents and different centuries. The music is inspired by Mexican Son, Appalachian song forms, Jewish and Eastern European tonalities, baroque melodic ideas, and Scots-Irish narrative storytelling approaches.
Saturday, September 23
Drawing Elements | Sandy Kessler Kaminski, former SNPT Artist-in-Residence
9:00 – 11:00am | UPDATED LOCATION: BYRD VISITOR CENTER AUDITORIUM (mile 51)
Participants will create a collage of existing elements, such as plans of Shenandoah, prints of plants and animals found in the park. Participants can draw on the plans/park elements. Sandy will discuss her process and encourage participants to draw from life and life experience.
Watercolors and the Elements | Asia Anderson
10:00am – 12:00pm | UPDATED : **CANCELLED** (mile 51)
Asia will lead an easy-going workshop, using different watercolor techniques to create leafy elements in paintings.
Keys to Quality Photos in Nature | Ben Greenberg
UPDATED TIME: 11:00am – 12:00pm | UPDATED LOCATION: BYRD VISITOR CENTER AUDITORIUM (mile 51)
This workshop will provide a foundation of information on the most important elements for capturing quality images of the natural world.
Sculpting and Drawing in Nature | Carolina Mayorga
10:00am – 11:00am | UPDATED LOCATION: BIG MEADOWS LODGE GREAT ROOM (mile 51)
Participants will celebrate the beauty of Shenandoah by creating a fun, eco-friendly sculpture and drawing project.
Painting Process in Nature | Armand Cabrera
11:00am – 12:00pm | UPDATED LOCATION: BIG MEADOWS LODGE GREAT ROOM (mile 51)
Armand will create and complete a painting while discussing process and inspiration with participants.
Deepening Relationships with Artwork | Chris di Domizio
1:00 – 3:00pm | UPDATED LOCATION: BYRD VISITOR CENTER AUDITORIUM (mile 51)
Through this workshop participants will achieve a deeper relationship with their artwork. The art “rules” of the past are art tools that can be used or not, depending on the desired effect. Chris will share art principles he used to paint the portrait of President Jimmy Carter which is now in the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery.
Fabric Postcards | Nancy Hershberger, former SNPT Artist-in-Residence
1:00 – 3:00pm | UPDATED LOCATION: BIG MEADOWS LODGE, GREAT ROOM (mile 51)
Participants will make fabric postcards. Each postcard will be a mini landscape fused onto a postcard that can be sent in the mail.
This workshop is sponsored by the Oak Spring Garden Foundation.
Inspired by Big Meadows | Ann Cheeks
1:00 – 3:00pm | UPDATED LOCATION: BIG MEADOWS LODGE, MASSANUTTEN ROOM (mile 51)
With Big Meadows as inspiration, participants will create one-of-a-kind expressions of what excites them in Shenandoah National Park. Ann will encourage participants to experiment with what nature has to offer, using acrylics and multiple techniques, to create unique art in a fun workshop.
Nature Journaling | Kelli Hertzler
UPDATED TIME: 3:00 – 5:00pm | UPDATED LOCATION: BYRD VISITOR CENTER AUDITORIUM (mile 51)
Participants will take time to notice the details and rhythms happening in the park around them. They will write, diagram, sketch, and paint what they notice. Each will be led by their own curiosity, with the goal not of creating a pretty picture (although that might happen!), but of learning what they do not know. No art skill required.
Painting Process in Nature | Armand Cabrera
3:00 – 4:00pm | UPDATED LOCATION: BIG MEADOWS LODGE GREAT ROOM (mile 51)
Armand will create and complete a painting while discussing process and inspiration.
Photo Opportunities in Shenandoah | Ben Greenberg
3:00 – 5:00pm | UPDATED LOCATION: BIG MEADOWS LODGE, MASSANUTTEN ROOM (mile 51)
This workshop will provide a foundation of information on the most important elements for capturing quality images of the natural world.
Evening Concert | Malia Furtado, Fiddler, former SNPT Artist-in-Residence
**CANCELLED DUE TO RAIN**
Enjoy a musical performance by an award-winning former Artist-in-Residence and lifelong park neighbor.
Sunday, September 24
Drawing Elements | Sandy Kessler-Kaminski, Former SNPT Artist-in-Residence
10:00am – 11:ooam | UPDATED LOCATION: BYRD VISITOR CENTER AUDITORIUM
Participants will create a collage of existing elements, such as plans of Shenandoah, prints of plants and animals found in the park. Participants can draw on the plans/park elements. Sandy will discuss her process and encourage participants to draw from life and life experiences.
Nature Journaling | Kelli Hertzler
11:00am – 12:00pm | UPDATED LOCATION: BYRD VISITOR CENTER AUDITORIUM
Participants will take time to notice the details and rhythms happening in the park around them. They will write, diagram, sketch, and paint what they notice. Each will be led by their own curiosity, with the goal not of creating a pretty picture (although that might happen!), but of learning what they do not know. No art skill is required.
Story of the Woods | Kevin Morgan
10:00am – 12:00pm | UPDATED LOCATION: BIG MEADOWS LODGE, MASSANUTTEN ROOM
Participants will hike in the Big Meadows area and focus on the “Story of the Woods” through photography.
Fabric Postcards | Nancy Hershberger, former SNPT Artist-in-Residence
10:00am – 12:00pm | UPDATED LOCATION: BIG MEADOWS LODGE, GREAT ROOM
Participants will make fabric postcards. Each postcard will be a mini landscape fused onto a postcard that can be sent in the mail.
This workshop is sponsored by the Oak Spring Garden Foundation.
