During Kershner’s tenure, the Academy Center of the Arts underwent unprecedented growth and transformation. The centerpiece of his leadership was the $30 million restoration of the Historic Academy Theatre, now a landmark destination for the arts in Central Virginia. Under his guidance, the organization grew by over 400%, significantly expanding its programming, outreach, and community impact. This growth included the launch of Academy in Motion, a subsidized mobile arts instruction program serving Lynchburg and surrounding counties, as well as the opening of The Music Hall at 722 Commerce Street—a small-capacity venue dedicated to showcasing local music.

“It has been a great honor of my life to lead the Academy Center of the Arts and to work alongside such an incredible team of staff, board members, and community partners. But just as artists know when to leave space in a composition, leaders must also know when to pass the baton,” said Kershner. “Together, we have transformed the Academy into a vital cultural institution for Lynchburg and the region. The organization’s evolution over the last 10 years is evidence of what our community can be. Our buildings, in their restoration and use, and our programming have been all about coming together when so much pulls us apart. The Academy is evidence of our best selves.”

For his next act, Kershner will expand his focus to the national stage, continuing to advocate for small, community-based arts initiatives through his Small Town Big Arts platform, which features a website, blog, podcast, and online forum. “I’m passionate about using my experience in Lynchburg to support a broader community of arts and nonprofit leaders across the country,” he said. “This national work is more important than ever.” This winter, Kershner will join Ryan Ripperton Consulting, a Richmond-based, nonprofit strategy and leadership company, and additional professional opportunities will be announced in the coming weeks. Kershner will serve as Chairman of the Board for Virginians for the Arts and will join the Board of Directors of the Mid Atlantic Arts Foundation. Geoffrey, his wife, Ashley Kershner, and their son will remain Lynchburg residents. 

The Board of Directors has already begun the succession planning process and will work closely with Kershner over the next few months to ensure continuity and stability. The Academy will provide regular updates to stakeholders as the succession process moves forward. In the meantime, the organization remains steadfast in its mission to foster arts and culture in Lynchburg and beyond.

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Empty Bowls Supported by Centra.

Steven Hill Workshop: Throwing Relaxed, Gestural Forms

From February 7-9, we welcomed nationally renowned ceramic artist Steven Hill for an in-depth workshop focused on creating expressive, gestural forms on the wheel. Designed for intermediate and advanced students, this workshop encouraged participants to move beyond rigid precision and embrace fluid, natural movement in their work.

The hands-on portion of the workshop included alteration techniques on drinking vessels and bowls, culminating in a large platter demonstration. Participants left feeling inspired and equipped with new tools to bring a sense of life and movement to their pottery.

“By the end of the workshop, I felt a deep sense of gratitude toward Steven, Ted and the Academy for giving us all this amazing opportunity. Not only had I learned invaluable techniques, but I also gained a fresh perspective on my own work. I left the studio totally inspired.”  – Workshop Attendee

Freedom Quilt Trivet Workshop: Art, History, and Storytelling

The Freedom Quilt Trivet Workshop was an impactful and engaging experience for all ages, blending art-making with African American history and storytelling. Participants explored the legacy of Underground Railroad Quilts, which were used to send coded messages to enslaved individuals seeking freedom. Each quilt block carried a distinct meaning—symbols like “Safe House Ahead” or “Follow the North Star” provided crucial guidance along the way. 

Led by artist Anna Ellis, students created Freedom Quilt-inspired trivets using a mono-print technique, transferring painted designs onto clay before shaping their pieces.A highlight of the workshop was an  art talk by Veronica Jackson, who shared insights on the codes and communication methods used by enslaved individuals. She also explored how African American creativity and artistic expression flourished during this time in American history, reinforcing the power of art as a tool for resilience, storytelling, and cultural identity.

Steampunk Clay Workshop: A Blend of History and Fantasy

Led by Kim Clarke, the Steampunk Clay Workshop invited participants to step into a world of gears, cogs, and Victorian-inspired design. This five-hour immersive session allowed artists to sculpt Steampunk-inspired heads or fish, integrating mechanical and industrial elements with organic clay forms.

Throughout the workshop, students experimented with new sculpting techniques while discussing the visual and conceptual themes of Steampunk aesthetics.

This event provided creatives an opportunity for community-building and artistic exchange, reinforcing the collaborative spirit of the Pottery Studio.

This workshop was inspired by the Aluminum Show performance hosted in the Historic Theatre. Ted Batt, Director of Visual Arts, shared how excited he was to provide innovative programming that blends artistic themes from the stage into the studio. We are grateful for the support of Innovative Wireless Technology and Foster Fuels in supporting our arts education and access opportunities.

What’s Next in the Pottery Studio?

We’re excited to share that the Pottery Studio is expanding! Thanks to the generous support of Sally & Davis Von Oesen, we are adding more square footage to accommodate our growing ceramics community.

With 135 students enrolled weekly, our classes have outgrown the available space for works-in-progress. To address this, we are constructing a climate-controlled storage building measuring 8’-6” by 20’-9”, adding 160 square feet of dedicated space for student pieces during the crucial curing process. This new structure, featuring metal-framed walls and comprehensive shelving systems, will be located on the east end of the building.

But this expansion is about more than just storage—it’s about opportunity. By relocating student works to this newly designed space, we are freeing up room in the main studio, making it possible to welcome more students and expand our class offerings.

More Classes, More Opportunities!

With this additional space, we are excited to add two new midday classes in March, responding to the high demand for evening pottery sessions. This will allow us to increase weekly enrollment to 175 students, bringing even more creative energy into the studio.
To further support our growing community, we’ve also added three new pottery wheels, bringing our total to 17 wheels—ensuring more students can participate in hands-on learning.

This expansion represents an important step forward for the Pottery Studio, allowing us to continue fostering a welcoming, accessible, and innovative space for ceramic artists of all levels.
Stay tuned for updates as we grow our community and bring even more creative opportunities to the Academy Center of the Arts!

Interested in joining us for a class or workshop? Check out our upcoming Pottery Studio offerings and discover the joy of working with clay!

The Academy offers discounts on classes and camps. To learn more and submit an application for reduced arts education tuition, please visit here

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