Join the VECCA Community
Art History Spotlight
Holly Huddle
Reception, Nov. 14, 1-3pm @ VECCA
Special Exhibition
Reception, Nov. 7, 1pm @ VECCA
Community Show
That time of year again, this show is an opportunity to sell smaller and lower-priced art around the holiday time.
Reception Nov.14, 1-3pm.
VECCA Writers
Bi-monthly meetings.
Plein Air
Nov. 21, Noon - 4pm, Woodstock, VA
Capturing the outdoors at a different valley location each month. All skill levels are welcome. Just bring yourself and your art materials to create whatever inspires you.
Our Mission
VECCA (Valley Educational Center for the Creative Arts) is dedicated to bringing the arts and the community together through educational and cultural programs. By utilizing the skills of professional instructors and talented area residents, VECCA creates opportunities for persons of all ages to pursue the arts and develop their creative skills to whatever degree they desire, as well as to exhibit or perform those skills.
By creating an awareness of the arts, VECCA hopes to inspire and encourage creativity and develop an active cultural environment throughout The Shenandoah Valley. VECCA, an educational non-profit organization in Shenandoah County, Virginia, was founded in 1984 and continues to thrive. It benefits the community through annual student scholarships, workshops, exhibitions, community art projects, and more.
VECCA is open to the community during special events and on Saturdays, 10 am – 4 pm / Sundays, 12-3 pm. Or any time you see an artist in the gallery working on their artwork, Tuesday through Friday 10am – 2pm. Closures due to inclement weather are posted on this website, on our Facebook page, or our Instagram page,
Private viewings are available. Please contact us at veccarrts@gmail.com to set up a visit to the gallery outside of our posted or studio hours.
Below find current VECCA shows and upcoming Calls-for-Arts and other events. On our Art Calls page we also list external opportunities sent to us by members who wish to show off more offerings in the valley and beyond.
Artist of the Month - Holly Huddle
“Rooted in the Shenandoah”
Artist of the Month Holly Huddle decided to show her work after becoming involved with VECCA through the Plein Air group. The group of artists meets monthly at private residences throughout Shenandoah County. Five pieces in Rooted in the Shenandoah began at Plein Air sessions: (above) Rockville Road, Muse Vineyards and Red Banks Road, (in the window) Third Hill, and (hanging on the large grey wall) Autumn.
Completed over the span of one year, beginning in July 2025 with drawings in the middle of the Shenandoah River during a drought, Holly’s paintings feature the river and mountains surrounding her home in the Shenandoah Valley.
Special Exhibition - SEARCH
This exhibition is the culmination of a series of art classes with residents of the SEARCH home in Mount Jackson, made possible by a generous grant from the Kimley-Horn Foundation.
Holly Huddle led six drawing and painting classes with assistance from Terry Thiele, Dan Miller, Travis Schuerman, Penelope Caroll, and Gael Schaeffer. Sarah Kohrs and her family led two pottery classes and fired the residents’ completed pieces. Diana Schmidt also led community drawing sessions at SEARCH events in Mount Jackson with support from the grant.
The artwork created by SEARCH residents will be on display at VECCA throughout the month of November, with proceeds from the SEARCH exhibition shared equally between VECCA and SEARCH.
During the opening reception on November 7, proceeds from the sale of ANY artwork at VECCA will also be split equally between VECCA and SEARCH.
Current Community Show
That time of year again, this show is an opportunity to sell smaller and lower-priced art around the holiday time. Buyers will have the option to take purchased work with them, artists will be notified of the sale and can replace work if desired.
Plein Air Meetups
Next: Nov. 21, Noon - 4pm, Woodstock, VA
All skill levels are welcome. And all kinds of artists welcome, Painters, Illustrators, Sculptors, Writers, Photographers… just bring yourself and your art materials to create whatever inspires you.
New Art History Spotlight
Help with the Arts in Your Community
Call for Volunteers & Instructors
Call or email if interested. Learn More about volunteering and being a part of arts in the valley.
More News, Classes, or Groups
VECCA Writers
Bi-Monthly Meetings
Meet local authors and talk about different aspects of the literary business and get feedback on your work.
Hosted by Terry A. Thiele
If you are a VECCA member and interested in hosting a backyard bird photography meetup at your place, email us at veccarts@gmail.com
OUR COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Dedicated to Excellence in the Creative Arts
Scholarships
Each year, graduating high schoolers are invited to apply for visual arts, music, & writing scholarships, which provide financial aid to recipients.
Call to Artists
VECCA holds several art shows throughout the year. Each call for artists has its own guidelines, entry fees, and deadlines.
Education
Projects, workshops, and more provide the community with opportunities to unleash their creative sides through art.
Support the Arts
Thanks to our Sponsors, Partners & Benefactors
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Bronze Sponsor
Technology Partner
Programming Partner
Grantor
BECOME A MEMBER TODAY
Whether you are an artist, a musician, a writer, or simply a lover of the arts, VECCA is for you.
VECCA members enjoy two free entries to all art shows, opportunity to share their creative skills & sell their work during Saturday Demo Days, an invitation to our annual Holiday Market during November and December, a chance to exhibit their work year-round, and a unique position to share their love of the creative arts with The Shenandoah Valley. Free for students 18 and under.
