News Summary
The Beverley Street Studio School in Staunton, VA, will close on December 12, 2025, after 33 years due to financial struggles. Founded in 1992, the school has faced a decline in enrollment and funding, leading to this difficult decision. A farewell celebration will be held on November 11, 2025, while its gallery will remain open until February 2026, allowing the community to celebrate its artistic legacy.
Staunton, VA – The Beverley Street Studio School (BSSS) will officially close its doors on December 12, 2025, after 33 years of operation due to ongoing financial difficulties. The Board President, Dana Quillen, confirmed that this decision came after extensive deliberation, aimed at preserving the school’s legacy and spirit amidst significant challenges it has faced in recent years.
Founded in 1992, BSSS has struggled with rising operational costs, increased competition in the art education sector, decreased funding, and a lack of volunteer support. The institution has not been profitable for approximately ten years, severely impacting its ability to sustain operations. Compounded by a staggering 40 percent drop in enrollment as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the school’s future became increasingly precarious.
Originally thriving with a strong base of volunteers who supported the mission of teaching art in a studio-based environment, BSSS saw a decline in this vital support during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The shift in community involvement played a crucial role in shaping the school’s ongoing challenges.
BSSS began as a vision of five artists—Frank Hobbs, Ron Boehmer, Rosalee Day White, Daniel Dempsey, and Ryan Russel—who sought to create a community space for artistic education. In 2002, it became a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, shifting its focus to non-degree, studio-centric art instruction. Throughout its years of operation, BSSS offered five classes and six workshops per session, becoming a vital center for serious art studies outside traditional academia.
The school’s location also played a significant role in its journey, moving around before settling at 217 W. Beverley Street, where it fostered a creative environment for local artists and students. In light of the closure announcement, community members will have the chance to commemorate the school’s history at a farewell celebration, paired with a silent auction featuring artwork made by BSSS artists, scheduled for November 11, 2025.
Interestingly, while BSSS will cease operations, the BSSS Gallery is set to remain open until February 2026, allowing the community to engage with its artistic legacy one last time. Following the closure, as required by nonprofit regulations, BSSS will disperse its financial assets to other nonprofit organizations, a process that will occur in 2026.
As the curtain falls on the Beverley Street Studio School, local residents and art enthusiasts looking for alternative artistic avenues can turn to other art institutions in the area. Options include the Staunton Augusta Art Center, Shenandoah Valley Art Center, and McGuffey Art Center, ensuring that the spirit of art education continues to thrive in Staunton.
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Additional Resources
- WHSV: Beverley Street Studio School Announces Upcoming Closure
- Wikipedia: Art Education
- News Leader: Staunton’s Beverley Street Studio School Closes
- Google Search: Beverley Street Studio School closure
- Augusta Free Press: Staunton Beverley Street Studio School to End Classes & Workshops in December
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Nonprofit organization
- Rocktown Now: Beverley Street Studio School in Staunton Closing in December
- Google News: Staunton art education
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