The Art Alliance of Greater Waynesboro

Sarah Muir
MSMU Class of 2019

AAGW was founded in September 2012 by Andrew Sussman as a project to promote economic development through promoting the arts. Since its inception, it has become a certified non-profit encompassing Destination Arts!, Destination INNOVATION!, and Music Makers: Our Community Music Center.

Destination ARTS! was the first initiative launched by the AAGW. It began as a community revitalization project to turn Waynesboro into a thriving arts destination. While the original plans were for a 15-week display starting July 2013 and ending in October of that same year, the overwhelming community support brought Destination Arts! back as a permanent fixture to downtown. Seven buildings on Main Street were renovated and converted into curated art galleries, and an additional eight storefront windows were filled with art. Over 1,600 pieces were on display that year, and the event featured more than 120 artists.

The project was a success! After the event, The AAGW rented the seven buildings and the five remain galleries. Gallery 50 (still operated by AAGW), 42 West Arts Co-Op & Gallery, Gallery 35 East, Walnut Street Studios, and the Ceramics Arts Center are still displaying and selling the thousands of pieces from local artists along with providing classes and workshops for those wanting to explore their creativity.

Destination INNOVATION! It began in 2015 as AAGW sponsored program to grow Destination ARTS! and incorporate STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). This new branch of the initial enterprise featured technological advancement displays manufactured by local industries, everything from 3D printing, to robotics, to solar panels and escape rooms. The project even included historical presentations featuring Waynesboro's past. In 2018 AAGW partnered with Beacon House Inc to promote STREAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) to those children interested in engaging both sides of their brain.

Music Makers, located near Gallery 50, started in 2016 as a collaborative effort of Cumberland Valley School of Music and AAGW. It has since become a much-loved cornerstone of the Waynesboro arts community. During a regular schedule, it provides Live Music Fridays and Open Mic sessions and a space for a community book club, and a place for children and adults to learn, experience, and enjoy music.

Since COVID began last year, the AAGW has been keeping busy and making sure art programs are accessible to the community. In partnership with Main Street Waynesboro, they hosted five Facebook Livestream specials and Virtual Happy Hours featuring local musicians. They have also been promoting the galleries and ceramic studios. Last summer, they were able to host outdoor music events at Main Street Park, where people could spread out and enjoy live music at a safe distance. The Songwriters Forum has been able to keep the inspiration flowing monthly Zoom meetings and outdoor, socially distant get brainstorming sessions.

Like a great many people, tired of snow and ice, the AAGW is excited for warmer weather, "[It] will allow us to have Live Music Fridays outdoors at Main Street Park so that more people can enjoy music safely and can support local musicians," said Jessica Sensenig, the Marketing Director of the AAGW, "We are [also] looking forward to having photographer Audrey Rouzer back sometime this year for more Introduction to Photography classes. Warmer weather will also provide safe options to meet for Songwriters Forum, Writers Forum, Open Mic Nights, and more."

The AAGW have also discussed ways to hold Jammin' in the Park safely and Waynesboro's Got Talent later this year.

Meanwhile, Gallery 50 has an online shop that launched in 2020, and patrons of the arts are invited to browse, shop, and order pick-up for over 300 items created by local artists.

"Though this time, we also continued sharing videos and streams from local musicians and news from downtown galleries and ceramics studios, and any arts-related posts to maintain that connection with our community and support our local artists, musicians, and arts businesses…And we continue to adapt, brainstorm, and push forward because we know how important the arts are to expressing ourselves, connecting with each other, finding joy, and healing during these times."

The arts have survived the past year due to loyal patrons and donors. The AAGW is no exception. "As a non-profit organization, we rely on the support of our community," remarked Sensenig, "Most of our programs are free of charge, and much of the work is done by a dedicated team of volunteers. Donations help us continue offering community arts programs and help us pay our expenses...Of course, donations are not the only way to show your support! Shop at Waynesboro's downtown galleries and ceramics studios, join us safely when we hold live music events again, and follow us on social media. And if you're looking for a quiet arts spot to volunteer, we are always welcoming new volunteers, especially to open and close Gallery 50."

AAGW does a great deal in supporting and promoting classes from other galleries, organizations, and ceramic studios. For instance, Walnut Street Studios, in partnership with Antietam Art Glass, is planning more stained glass art classes as well as pottery classes that will, of course, keep participants safe. The Nicodemus Center for Ceramic Studies has offered pick-up pottery projects and socially distant pottery classes; the next one is March 7. New guest art exhibits are still being put on display at the 42 West Arts Co-op, and Gallery 35 East has newly commissioned pieces from the artist Linda Shelbert.

The Cumberland Valley School of Music is another organization with strong ties to the AAGW. On March 20, from 9 AM- 4 PM, they are holding a Preformathon, an all-day recital fundraiser to help students raise money through scholarships. One of the hosts of the event is the Music Makers: Our Community Music Center. All students from the Cumberland Valley School of Music are allowed to register at cvsmusic.org, and you can tune in the day of via Livestream on the CVSM YouTube channel.