By Megan Zirkle '06
Since shortly after Virginia Wesleyan College was founded in 1961, Barclay Sheaks, associate professor of art and distinguished resident artist, has been teaching students his amazing skills in 2-dimensional art, including drawing and painting. 
When asked how long he has been teaching at Wesleyan, Sheaks smiled and replied, "I’m not good on dates. I’ve been here since the beginning."
"Since the beginning" is 1969, when Sheaks joined the Virginia Wesleyan community, where he would remain for the next 36 years.
Growing up in the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia, Sheaks came to Wesleyan after moving to Newport News.
“They contacted me and asked me if I could come start the art department – so I did,” he said.
When he first started teaching, he taught part-time before eventually moving up to a full-time teaching load of 18 credit hours. And, as time passed, Sheaks witnessed firsthand the growth and change in the College.
“I started off part-time and I taught art in the boiler room,” he said. “The studio I teach in now was once a bookstore, then a science lab, and now it’s the art room.”
As time passed and Virginia Wesleyan changed and grew, Sheaks remained a dedicated professor to the students and his colleagues.
“One of the reasons I’ve stayed here so long is because the administration expects you to do a job, but isn’t breathing down your neck,” said Sheaks. “They allow you to do your job in your own way.”
Sheaks also cites the flexibility of his schedule as another reason for staying with the Wesleyan community all these years.
“They have allowed me to arrange my teaching schedule so I can do my own personal painting. They’ve been very understanding about that,” he said.
A renowned professional artist, Sheaks’ artwork has been displayed in many exhibits over the years and is owned by a number of museums, in addition to a host of university, corporate and private art collections. Students can also view a collection of his work in the Barclay Sheaks Gallery in Godwin Hall.
“I paint landscapes and figure paintings, mostly because I have a strong feeling for the natural environment,” said Sheaks.
In addition to painting, Sheaks also enjoys writing books. Currently, he has written and published eight books on how to paint and draw.
Senior art major Jennifer Thornton respects and admires Sheaks for his talents and teaching style.
“He opens your eyes to new perspectives while teaching with style and a sense of humor,” she said.
For Thornton, Sheaks is responsible for teaching her one of the most difficult concepts of art.
“Sheaks taught me abstract art and how to think that way,” she said. “Before him, I thought only realistically, I painted and drew realistically, and I have him to thank for my abstract work.”
Phil Guilfoyle, assistant professor of art at Wesleyan, hates to see Sheaks leave because they have become more than co-workers over the years – they have become friends.
“I’m going to miss him,” Guilfoyle said. “We’ve gotten to be close friends, and now I’m going to have to visit him in Newport News.”
Being a 3-dimensional art teacher, Guilfoyle understands what it takes to teach students the elements of art.
“Sheaks lives art,” said Guilfoyle. “He loves to teach and he loves his paintings and he has strongly correlated that with the students.”
Sheaks says that he is leaving Wesleyan with only good memories and feels his experience has been enriching.
“It’s fulfilling to see young students catch fire and become inspired,” he said.
As for retirement, he plans to teach workshops around his hometown in Newport News and over the summer he’ll stay at his summer art studio in Poquoson.
One cannot be surprised that what he’s most looking forward to in retirement his what he’s done his whole life.
“My big plans are to do more painting. And spend time with my family and travel,” he said. “I’m most looking forward to having more time to paint.”
As Wesleyan says goodbye to a professor that will be missed by all, they commend him for his hard work and dedication in over 44 years of service.
The Virginia Wesleyan community wishes Mr. Barclay Sheaks a very happy retirement.