SVWC's Lawrence Gallery Welcomes Two Unique Artists

The SVWC Art Committee has been coordinating art exhibits in Lawrence Gallery for over ten years, and their newest exhibition marks number 81! The resident-led group aims to vary the mediums and styles of work to keep things fresh. This stunning show will remain through May 2, 2025.

Ann Rule Thompson, from Harpers Ferry, incorporates Encaustics with ceramic surfaces for her “Seeing Through the Surface” exhibit. From Greek to "to burn in," the Encaustic process dates back to the 5th Century BC, and pieces have been found in Egyptian tombs. The method combines beeswax and tree resin to produce a gorgeous 3-D effect. The wax paint is heated to liquid form and painted on while hot. Dimension and color are added by embedding objects and scraping the surface to create depth. They look like photographs at a distance, but you can appreciate the interesting layering and texture up close.

Our showcases display the intricate works of Shenandoah Valley artist Christy Dunkle. Christy earned a bachelor's degree in visual arts and a master's in landscape architecture. She studied under Scottish artist Rachel Davies. The area’s mountains and valley provide endless inspiration for her mosaic designs, which include slate, gold leaf, glass, recycled roof tiles, deep black Youghiogheny River shale, Mexican smalti, and Marcellus shale needles. Her small pieces can be placed on a shelf or hung on a wall.

An opening reception will be held on March 8 from 5 to 6:30 p.m. in the Commons area above the lobby. Or...feel free to visit the Gallery any day between 9 a.m. and 7 p.m.  

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Started in 2020 as a first of its kind in our area, the Memory Café is a safe and comfortable space where care partners and their loved ones living with any type of dementia can gather to socialize, play games, and enjoy activities together. Experience community, laughter, and conversation with others navigating similar changes and make new memories together.

‍This is a FREE event hosted by SVWC, on the second Monday of each month. NOTE: The location has changed from previous years to The Espresso Bar and Cafe' in downtown Winchester. For additional details, contact Donielle Weatherholtz-Palmer at dpalmer@svwc.org.

Friday, March 21, in the Bistro - “Ole' Time Bluegrass” at its Best

Red and Murphy Henry, residents of Winchester, are among the nation’s best legacy Bluegrass performers. Red came on the Bluegrass scene as a tall, young, lanky, red-headed heartthrob. Murphy complimented Red’s striking looks with her own beauty. She was also an extremely good musician, playing banjo and guitar brilliantly, and considered one of the first women to break the glass ceiling of Bluegrass. Together, they have become legends.

An early recording of theirs tells us a lot. It was called “Riding Around on Saturday Night.”  If you look at the record jacket, you see that the rest of the title is “to the Dairy Queen.” It caught the mood of the time.

Both Murphy and Red’s musical careers revolve around being long-time participants at music festivals and jam sessions in north Florida around St. Augustine before they migrated north to Winchester. They are not strangers to the recording studio with an array of records to their credit. Another of their records is titled: “My Everyday Silver is Plastic.”  

Red plays mandolin and fiddle. Murphy is adept at fiddle and banjo. Their two children are also rooted in the music world of Bluegrass. Beyond this, Murphy is well-known for teaching her own method of banjo playing.  

Their program is titled “Red and Murphy Henry and Friends”. Their friends are exactly that, people they’ve played with for many years.  We’ll see who shows up.

If you love Bluegrass, you will absolutely love this concert!

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Performances begin at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 CASH and a portion of the proceeds goes to the SVWC Fellowship Fund.

The Bistro Concert Series is sponsored by Atlantic Union Bank. For more information, call 540-665-0156.

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