Barbara Smenner

                                       Manchester, Georgia                      
                                                                                                                          

     Barbara was born in Blue Ridge, Georgia.  Most of her childhood years were spent in the coal mining camps of West Virginia and later in Chattanooga, Tennessee attending Edmondson Business College.

     At an early age Barbara had a desire to paint and create.  In 1979, Barbara was urged to share her talent to others by opening a business where everyone could come together, learn and have fun in art.   Over the past 33 years the business known as The Village Art Studio, Inc, has grown into a hub of art activity, attracting students from almost every state in the union.  Today the business is located in The Manchester Mill which was once an old textile mill established in 1908.  When Barbara's husband John retired from AT&T, he joined her in the business.  John is also a US Air Force veteran.

     Barbara teaches art in her studio.  Some subjects she teaches are Still Life, Drawing, Landscapes, Seascapes and Floral's.  Teaching gives Barbara the pleasure of building self esteem in others in art.  Barbara and John host many well known artist who conduct painting seminars several times a year.  Among them are famous portrait artist Karen Patton and Mary Carole Larson.  Mary Carole also teaches a wide variety of subjects in oils and acrylics.  Others are Gary Jenkins, Fred Wetzel, Buck Paulson, Dorothy Dent, Robert Warren and Mike Windberg.   Gary Jenkins selected Barbara to be one of his assistant staff teachers and selected The Village Art Studio, Inc to be his National Headquarters for certification.

     Barbara has developed her own style of painting through many years of studying and associating with the following:  Dalhart Windberg, Mike Windberg, Fred Wetzel, Buck Paulson.  She is certified as a Gary Jenkins Certified Art Teacher ( JCAT ) and a certified Dorothy Dent instructor and a Milton Lanoir Master Instructor in Acrylic.

    Memberships:  The Columbus Ga Artist Guild
                              Artist United
                              Creative Artist Teaching / Sharing  ( CATS )
                              Teaching / Sharing/ & Merchandising  (TEAM)
                              Vice President of the Meriwether County Artist Guild

 Art Supplies
The Village Art Studio, Inc. carries a complete line of art supplies for each class offered. Oils, acrylics, brushes, canvases, odorless brush cleaner, books, videos, and other supplies.

The Gallery at the Mill
The Village Art Studio, Inc. of Barbara Smenner is located in Manchester, Georgia. Her business is located in what was once a large textile mill built in 1908. The mill was in operation until 2000 at which time the property was taken over by the Manchester Development Authority. Their goal is to revitalize and find new uses for the 300,000 square foot facility. In 2002 Barbara was offered nine large rooms in the facility in which to move her business. Since that time the Village Art Studio, Inc. has become the hub of art activity in our area.

At the studio the students enjoy our spacious, well lighted, and ventilated classrooms and the chance to learn new techniques from several nationally known artist as well as seminars taught by Barbara herself. Our gallery contains the art work and pottery of many of our local artist. Our out of town students are lodged in several moderately priced motels / hotels with nearby restaurants available within minutes of the studio. For the campers, full service camping is available at Roosevelt State Park. The nearest airports are located in Atlanta (90 miles) and Columbus (40 miles).

Things to do in our area

We have several golf courses in the area.  The one closest to the studio ( 4 miles ) is Peeblebrook Golf Course.  Their website is as follows: www.golflink.com/golf-courses/course.aspx?course=256345    They have recently added a restaurant on site.  You can get tee times, fees, and info about the course on the site.  18 miles away is Callaway Gardens Resort.  There are three 18 hole courses at the Gardens.  Their website is www.callawaygardens.com.   Callaway Gardens is a couple of miles from the rv camping sites at FDR State Park.

    Hiking trails are plentyful in the area.  Our favorites are The Wolfden Loop Trail and Cascade Falls.  Their website is http://www.georgiatrails.com/gt/Wolfden_Loop 

    Nearby is Franklin D Roosevelts " Little White House " in Warm Springs.  A very interesting place to visit.