Our Story

In the summer of 2019, Bev Hennessy made the thoughtful decision to step back as Director of Village Art Center in order to spend more time with her husband Bob, her dog Daisy, and a room happily filled with painting supplies waiting to be enjoyed.

Bev’s dedication to bringing nationally known artists to the community through Village Art Workshops was something Wanda Boyd noticed on her very first visit — and one of the reasons she ultimately chose to move to The Villages. Bev’s passion for the program was immediately shared by Wanda, and the two quickly became kindred spirits, often talking enthusiastically about the wide range of workshops the program offers.

When Bev decided it was time to entrust her “baby” to another, Wanda was more than happy to step in and continue building on the strong foundation Bev had created, ensuring that Village Art Center and Village Art Workshops would remain a vibrant part of the local art community. While Bev is no longer the lead coordinator, she remains an important part of the program and a trusted source of motivation and inspiration for Wanda.

Wanda moved to The Villages in 2015 and immediately immersed herself in the local art community by taking workshops through Village Art Workshops, joining the Village Art League and the Visual Arts Association, and assuming a leadership role in the Wet-N-Wild Watercolors group. She has been painting in watercolor and acrylic for over twenty years, including five years of study with nationally known artist Susan Stuller, and continues to learn by — as she likes to say — taking workshops through Village Art Workshops.

Before stepping into her role with Village Art Workshops, Wanda worked in sales and marketing for an international food manufacturing firm, along with holding numerous volunteer leadership positions in her communities, past and present. That blend of business experience, creative curiosity, and genuine love of teaching artists continues to guide the program today.

​Our mission is to bring exceptional teaching artists together with a welcoming, creative community — offering high-quality art workshops that inspire growth, connection, and lifelong learning.

Beverly Hennessy

Wanda Boyd