Located in the historic district of downtown Staunton, Virginia, Beverley Street Studio School (BSSS) has adopted as its mission “providing the community and region with a variety of opportunities to explore the world of the visual arts through practice, professional instruction, and contact with practicing artists”.
Founded in 1992, Beverley Street Studio School (BSSS) began with a group of five professional artists: Ron Boehmer, Daniel Dempsey, Frank Hobbs, Ryan Russel, and Rosalie Day White. They sought to establish a studio art school that would provide an opportunity for those in the region to engage in art training in a collaborative and nurturing fashion. The emphasis in instruction is working from direct observation, whether in a plein air setting or within the studio classrooms. It is now an established organization and integral part of the local and regional cultural community. The School distinguishes itself from other art organizations in the region by offering year round non-degree college-level art classes to the serious art student. In addition to the core curriculum and as part of the School’s mission to make art accessible to everyone in the community, BSSS offers: an art gallery with rotating exhibits by guest artists, instructors and students; several offsite exhibit opportunities; a high quality Travel Study program; Open Session figure drawing; and numerous free community programs including monitored art discussions, lectures, and peer critiques.
BSSS is a non-profit 501(c)(3) organization led by a Board of Directors, Executive Director, and Administrative Assistant with assistance from many volunteers. It is supported in part by the Virginia Commission of the Arts and the National Endowment for The Arts. There are over 250 members, 50 volunteers, and approximately 120 active students.
Beverley Street Studio School is located on the first floor of the historic former Stonewall Jackson School Building at 217 West Beverley Street. The two studios, named after Mary T. Echols and Michael VanDerVeer, have the advantage of northern light from floor to ceiling windows. There is also a lecture room outfitted with comfortable seating and a PC and large flat screen for displaying images, etc. The BSSS office is located adjacent to the studios. The BSSS Gallery is located two blocks east of the studio and shares space with Co-Art Gallery at 22 W. Beverley Street.
2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Barbara Coyle Holt, President
Sally James, Vice President & Secretary
Dana Flanders, Treasurer
Nancy Armstrong
Virginia Gillock
Anne Hanger
Martha Saunders
Mandi Smith
Advisory Board
Barbara Brothers
Robert Stuart
Anne Sills
Honorary Emeritus: Ron Boehmer
Volunteers
Martin Geiger – Open Session Facilitator