Penelope Lassiter Halsey “Penny” is a member of Youngs Chapel Baptist Church in Grayson County, VA. She has served as a music director, adult Sunday school teacher, and a deacon within this congregation.

Professionally, she has served within Virginia Public Schools from 1972–2021 as a Communication Disorders Specialist with emphasis on Speech, Language, and Hearing Impairments. She has worked in Portsmouth City Public Schools, Grayson County Public Schools, and Chesterfield County Public Schools.

Currently, she lives in Grayson County, VA, with her husband, John. They live on an 80-acre farm in the Appalachian Mountains, enjoying retirement alongside their two cats, two dogs, and a menagerie of woodland wildlife.

How did you hear about the Art for the Not Yet?

I attended the BGAV Annual Meeting in Abingdon, Virginia, last November where I learned about the call for the Art for the Not Yet project to be created and submitted for the 2026 Annual Meeting.

Briefly explain your piece for the “Art for the Not Yet” exhibit.

I will be submitting a booklet of poetry entitled “Never Alone” as my contribution to the Art for the Not Yet project.

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Visit the "Art for the Not Yet" exhibit at BGAV's 2026 Annual Meeting to see Penny's art as well as many other pieces submitted from BGAV's family across the globe!