Beverley Street Studio School

- 217 W Beverley St, Staunton, VA 24401

For decades, the Beverley Street Studio School (BSSS) has been an integral and foundational part of the visual arts community in Staunton and the greater Shenandoah Valley region of Virginia. Operating as more than just a local art studio, BSSS is a vital art school, a training center, and a gallery committed to elevating the artistic skills and appreciation of local residents. The school’s mission is dedicated to providing the community and region with diverse opportunities to explore the world of visual arts through practice, professional instruction, and direct contact with practicing artists.

Founded in 1992 by a group of professional artists, BSSS was created to offer rigorous, non-degree, college-level art training for serious art students outside of a traditional academic setting. The instruction places a strong emphasis on working from direct observation, both in its well-appointed studio classrooms and in plein air settings. The school has served as a nurturing and collaborative environment for both professional and amateur artists to hone their skills in traditional disciplines like painting, drawing, and sculpture.

While the school is a much-loved and long-standing fixture in downtown Staunton, it is important for the Virginia community to note that BSSS will conclude its class and workshop programming in December 2025, with the gallery remaining open through February 2026. This announcement, made in September 2025, marks the end of an era for the organization as it responds to changing community dynamics, including the rise of online classes and operational challenges. Therefore, now is a unique and valuable time for Virginia residents to engage with the studio school's esteemed programs and history before this chapter closes. Enrolling in the final sessions is an opportunity to benefit from the institution's celebrated high-quality instruction and to connect with its rich legacy within the local arts scene.

Location and Accessibility

The Beverley Street Studio School is perfectly situated in the heart of the historic district of downtown Staunton, Virginia. Its location provides an atmosphere steeped in history and culture, inspiring to any artist. The main studio and office are housed on the first floor of the historic former Stonewall Jackson School Building, adding to the school's rich, local context.

The address for the main studio is 217 W Beverley St, Staunton, VA 24401, USA.

Accessibility is a key consideration for BSSS, and the facility strives to be welcoming to all members of the community.

• Parking is made easy with options for free parking both in an on-site parking lot and through free street parking in the vicinity, which is a notable convenience for a downtown location.
• The facility provides significant accessibility features, including a wheelchair accessible parking lot, a wheelchair accessible restroom, and wheelchair accessible seating in its classrooms and lecture room.

While the school's primary teaching location is at this Beverley Street address, it also maintains an exhibition space—the BSSS Gallery—located two blocks east of the main studio, which shares a space with the nearby CoArt Gallery. This dual presence solidifies its role as both an educational and cultural venue in downtown Staunton.

Services Offered

The core of the Beverley Street Studio School's offering is its robust and high-quality educational programming. The school distinguishes itself by offering non-degree art instruction that mirrors a college-level curriculum, available to the community year-round. This wide array of instruction caters to artists at every stage of their journey.

The comprehensive list of services and instructional formats includes:

• Core Art Instruction: Provides Art Classes and Art Training spanning various disciplines, including Painting, Drawing Lessons, and Printmaking Classes.
• Skill-Based Classes: Offers specialized instruction such as Figure Drawing Classes, Oil Painting Classes, and Watercolor Painting, focusing on mastery of traditional techniques.
• Level-Based Curriculum: Classes are available for all skill levels, categorized as Beginner's classes, Intermediate classes, and Advanced classes, ensuring tailored instruction for every student.
• Flexible Formats: The school offers both longer-term Adult Classes and intensive Weekend Workshops, allowing students to focus intensely on a particular medium or technique.
• Studio and Practice Time: Provides access to Open Session figure drawing, allowing members and students to practice drawing from the model in a professional studio setting.
• Exhibition Opportunities: The school's mission includes curating and maintaining an Art Gallery with rotating exhibits by guest artists, instructors, and students, providing a crucial venue for students to show their artwork.
• Service Options: Instruction is delivered via Onsite services in the Staunton studios, with select Online classes also available for flexibility.

Features / Highlights

The Beverley Street Studio School’s reputation in Virginia is built upon a foundation of unique features and highlights that enhance the student experience.

• Historic and Inspiring Studios: The main studio space contains two dedicated classrooms, named Mary T. Echols and Michael VanDerVeer, which benefit from the highly desirable northern light streaming through floor-to-ceiling windows—ideal for artists working with natural light.
• Professional Faculty: The school is proud of its highly esteemed faculty, which includes professional artists, art critics, and art historians who are also experienced educators. The instructors are carefully selected to ensure high-quality and informed instruction.
• Gallery and Exhibition Access: BSSS maintains its own gallery space at the CoArt Gallery, extending its educational and cultural mission by presenting diverse and challenging exhibits and offering students essential offsite exhibit opportunities.
• Focus on Direct Observation: A foundational principle of the school is the emphasis on working from direct observation, a key element in traditional studio art training that provides a strong foundation for aspiring and experienced artists alike.
• Community Focus: Beyond paid instruction, BSSS contributes to the Staunton community with numerous free community programs, including monitored art discussions and lectures, fulfilling its mission to make art accessible to everyone.
• Good for Kids: Although the core curriculum caters to adults and serious students, the center is noted as being "Good for kids," indicating its commitment to being a family-friendly cultural resource.
• Lecture Room: The facility includes a dedicated lecture room outfitted with comfortable seating and technological equipment for visual presentations and theoretical discussions, supporting the practical classes with academic context.

Contact Information

For Staunton and regional residents interested in the final classes, workshops, or the continuing gallery schedule:

• Address: 217 W Beverley St, Staunton, VA 24401, USA
• Phone: (540) 886-8636

What is Worth Choosing

For any individual in Virginia seeking a high-quality, authentic studio art experience, choosing Beverley Street Studio School in its final months of programming offers a truly unique and meaningful opportunity. The school has been cherished by the local community for over three decades precisely because of its dedication to the craft of art. As noted by long-time members, the school provides "great studio spaces and a wide variety of workshops, classes and art critiques," creating an environment that is both collaborative and conducive to significant artistic improvement. Students appreciate the college-level rigor, which has allowed many to "brush up on painting skills" and meet members of the community who share their passion.

What makes BSSS particularly worth choosing now is the chance to become a part of its legacy. The final classes and workshops represent the culmination of over 30 years of commitment to professional, non-degree arts education in Staunton. The opportunity to learn painting, drawing, or sculpture from the school's acclaimed faculty in its beautiful, light-filled studios is unmatched in the local area. Furthermore, by participating, you support an organization that has provided a crucial venue for art exposure and cultural enrichment.

The unique combination of a structured, quality curriculum, an emphasis on observational training, a high level of professionalism, and an active gallery component firmly establishes BSSS as a distinctive cultural landmark in the Virginia arts landscape. For those serious about their artistic development, enrolling in one of the final sessions is a chance to gain invaluable skills from experienced artists and to pay tribute to a vital institution before its final curtain call.

Beverley Street Studio School

217 W Beverley St, Staunton, VA 24401, USA