News Summary
Beverley Street Studio School in Staunton will close its doors on December 12, 2025, after 33 years of operation. The decision follows a decade of financial struggles exacerbated by rising costs and decreased enrollment due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Founded in 1992, the institution has been an important center for art education but will hold a farewell celebration on November 11, 2025, before officially shutting down. The BSSS Gallery will remain open until February 2026, ensuring the legacy of the school continues through its art.
Staunton – Beverley Street Studio School (BSSS), a prominent institution for art education in Staunton, has announced its closure, effective December 12, 2025, after operating for 33 years since its inception in 1992. The decision comes amid persistent financial struggles that have plagued the school for nearly a decade, leading to the conclusion that it can no longer sustainably operate.
Board President Dana Quillen indicated that the decision was not made lightly and was taken with a deep respect for the school’s legacy. The challenges faced by BSSS have escalated in recent years, with rising operational costs, increased competition from other educational institutions, decreased funding, and a dwindling volunteer base contributing to the school’s financial instability. Quillen highlighted the troubling fact that BSSS has not been profitable for around ten years.
Originally a vibrant learning environment supported by enthusiastic volunteers, the dynamics began to shift dramatically in the late 1990s and early 2000s, when the school’s volunteer base began to decline. This decline coincided with a broader trend impacting many similar institutions across the nation. Compounding these financial difficulties, the COVID-19 pandemic led to a significant drop in enrollment, with participation falling by 40 percent.
BSSS was founded by five creative leaders—Frank Hobbs, Ron Boehmer, Rosalee Day White, Daniel Dempsey, and Ryan Russel—who envisioned a space dedicated to the teaching of art. Transitioning to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization in 2002, BSSS focused on providing non-degree, studio-based art instruction. Over the years, the school has offered a diverse array of educational opportunities, including five classes and six workshops per session, establishing itself as an important center for serious art study outside of traditional academic settings.
Throughout its years of operation, BSSS has held classes in various locations around Staunton, finally settling at 217 W. Beverley Street. In light of the impending closure, community members will have a chance to bid farewell to the school during a farewell celebration and silent auction on November 11, 2025. This event will showcase the artwork produced at the school and commemorate its contributions to the local art scene.
Even after the school officially closes its doors, the BSSS Gallery will remain open to the public until February 2026, allowing visitors to engage with the art created within its halls. As a nonprofit organization, BSSS must also allocate its remaining financial assets to other nonprofits, a decision that will be made in 2026.
Despite the closure of BSSS, art enthusiasts in the area will still have access to a variety of other arts education and community opportunities. Institutions such as the Staunton Augusta Art Center, the Shenandoah Valley Art Center, and the McGuffey Art Center will continue to offer artistic programming and educational resources for those interested in exploring their creative passions.
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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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