"The Calmness of Color" features the watercolors of SVWC resident Julie Read. Julie grew up in Colorado, and art has always been a significant part of her life. She and her husband, Bob, traveled extensively while he was in the Air Force. In 1974, they purchased a print shop in Winchester and have been part of the community ever since. Continuing her passion for watercolor painting, Julie taught graphic design, conducted design workshops, and offered beginning and intermediate watercolor art classes in the local area.

As a skilled pen and ink artist, Julie has sketched and painted over 200 local homes and landmarks. Her artistic journey is as diverse as her subjects. For over 30 years, she was a graphic designer in the communications firm she co-owned with her husband. Her approach to art is eclectic. "I choose to paint subjects that excite me because of their shape, color, history, or simply because I love them." Julie's artistic affiliations include being a Signature member of the Baltimore Watercolor Society, a Member of the VA Watercolor Society, a Member of the Central Virginia Watercolor Guild, and a Member of the Shenandoah Arts Council. www.julieread.net

"Nature in Glass" showcases the enchanting creations of Tatyana Zidarov. Tatyana's artistic odyssey with glass began a few years ago when her husband gifted her a fused glass class. This single experience ignited a lifelong passion. Her journey as an artist began long before that. As a child, she would lose herself for hours in drawing and coloring. She later explored oils, watercolors, and pottery, but it was the medium of glass that truly captured her heart. She is enamored by the colors and the potential to blend small and large pieces of glass and glass powders to craft something entirely new. Tatyana also shares her knowledge by teaching glass techniques in her Harpers Ferry studio. www.rockfusionstudio.com

Join us for an opening reception on Saturday, May 10, from 5:00 to 6:30 PM in The Abbey on the second floor of the main building. SVWC is located at 300 Westminster-Canterbury Dr., Winchester. Phone 540-665-0156 for directions or with questions.

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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.

The Bistro Concert Series welcomes sparkling violinist Irina Muresnu and brilliant young cellist Julian Schwarz as the featured performers, on Friday, May 23, 2025. Note this is a change of date, a week later than initially scheduled.  Their program presents a lovely musical journey from works by J. S. Bach, Mozart, and Maurice Ravel, to a rhapsody by a little-known New Yorker written recently. The compositions represent music from seven countries: Syria, Israel, Romania, Austria, Germany, France, and the United States.

The combination of violin and cello resonates in our Bistro setting with a wonderful sonority. Both Irina and Julian have played in the Bistro before, but not together. Irina played here three times prior to Covid, while Julian has played the venue twice since the pandemic. Both are outstanding, playing regularly at the international level. Irina teaches music and computer science at the University of Maryland. She appears with the Boston Trio in many of the refined small venues on the East Coast. Julian, who is prominent here at Shenandoah Conservatory, is probably one of the best young cellists in the world today. ‍

Their performance begins at 7:30 p.m. Admission is $10 (cash only, please) at the entrance. The concert is open to the public. Atlantic Union Bank sponsors the series. For information, please call (540) 665-0156.

Gain valuable insights from leading finance, economics, and real estate experts to master retirement planning for your clients, friends, and family. Empower yourself with the knowledge to ensure their financial futures are secure and prosperous.

This program is being generously sponsored by the Blue Ridge Association of Realtors and supported by First Bank.

RSVP to vmcallister@svwc.org