Downtown Waynesboro will transform into a living canvas May 16-17 as the Virginia Street Arts Festival (VASAF) returns, bringing nationally recognized artists, six large-scale murals, live music, and hands-on art experiences to the community.
Hosted by Destination Downtown Waynesboro, the free, two-day festival invites visitors to watch artists inaction as they create six new murals across the downtown district. Festivalgoers can meet the artists, explore the creative process up close and take part in art projects for all ages.
Building on the momentum of the 2025 VASAF, this festival will continue to position Waynesboro as a destination for public art in the Shenandoah Valley.
“This is one of those weekends where downtown really comes alive,” said Meghan Murphy, president ofDestination Downtown Waynesboro. “You can watch artists at work, create something of your own, enjoy livemusic, and explore everything from murals to mobile museums and tons more.”
The 2026 VASAF will feature muralists Christian Harrell (Humble), Jesse Jentzen, Andrew Davis, Roshi K, and Jon Murrill, each contributing original works that will become permanent additions to Waynesboro’s public art and the Street Arts Trail.
In addition to live mural painting, the 2026 VASAF will include:
- A full schedule of live performances and family-friendly entertainment presented by Hot Spot Collective on North Wayne Avenue.
- An Art Market with over 30 local artisans, hosted by the Shenandoah Valley Art Center on South Wayne Avenue.
- Interactive community projects all over downtown.
- A mobile museum experience featuring the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts, the Virginia Museum of Natural History and the VA250 Mobile Museum.
- Festival t-shirts you can customize and color-changing festival cups will be available for purchase to support Destination Downtown Waynesboro.
This event is free and open to the public, encouraging both residents and visitors to experience Waynesboro’s arts scene while supporting local, downtown businesses. VASAF is also a DORA event, allowing visitors to enjoy beverages while exploring the festival.
The Virginia Street Arts Festival is supported in part by a $50,000 T-Mobile Hometown Grant and support from local sponsors Kline and Co. Real Estate, McKee Family Bakery, Blanc Creatives, Augusta Health, the City of Waynesboro, Waynesboro’s local Sherwin-Williams, Staunton Tractor and The Russell Museum, helping with programming and bringing more artists to the community.
To find out more about the Virginia Street Arts Festival and its programming, visit DowntownWaynesboro.org.
Monique Calello is a reporter at The News Leader in Staunton covering business, dining and entertainment in the Shenandoah Valley. Connect with her at [email protected]
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