The Vienna Arts Society's purpose is to bring together area artists to share interests, to enrich their own experience in art and to make contributions to the community. At their first formal meeting in May, they elected Valerie Elmore their President. In their first year they exhibited art work at the First Virginia Bank at Tyson’s Corner, and held the first juried show the ‘Treasury of Art Exhibit and Sale’ at the Vienna Community Center. The purpose of the Society is to bring together area artists to share interests, to enrich their own experience in art and to make contributions to the community. As a volunteer organization, it is highly regarded as a well run organization, respected for always striving for high standards in the art field. Members are encouraged to broaden their interests in all areas of art, through workshops, art excursions, monthly meetings, demonstrations, lectures and critiques. Today, members range from the professional artists who exhibit to teaching workshops around the world to the novice. (Two members have written art books.) Noted world artists (Judy Betts, Mel Stabin, Skip Lawrence, Tom Lynch, Eric Weingardt, etc.) taught week long art workshops in various art media for the Society, helping in the art education of our members. Many years ago, VAS had a popular Spring Show at Tyson’s Corner Shopping Center for 12 years, sometimes having as many as 900 paintings on exhibit. Many nationally known artists of today were participants, such as Ken Marlowe, Dennis Fring, Lena Liu, Pat Berlin, and Elaine Hahn. Pertinent information is given at monthly meetings and in the monthly newsletter and each week there is an e-blast that goes to members to keep them informed of what is going on between meetings. The general membership meetings have a guest artist who demonstrates their work and are held on the second Thursday of the month with the exception of December. The December meeting is a Holiday social for members and guests but open to all. The general membership meetings held at the Vienna Arts Center, 115 Pleasant Street, N. Vienna, Va 22180, and are free and open to the public. The Society established Continuous Show venues where members have the opportunity to exhibit and sell their paintings in local business establishments. These shows will change approximately every eight weeks to give the public the opportunity to view various work from different artists. Fairfax Arts Council gave an award to VAS for their project of exhibiting art at local businesses a few years ago. VAS has a Mini Gallery at Village Green Shopping Center, 513 Maple Ave. W., Vienna due to the kindness of Mr. This is a co-op gallery and each exhibiting artists helps with the gallery operation. In the spring of 2004, VAS opened Vienna Art Center where it holds workshops, exhibits art work and conducts art lessons for adults and children in the community. VAS has approximately 164 members and welcomes those interested in the various aspects of art. The Art Society annual events include the prestigious ‘Treasury of Art’ which has obtained a highly regarded reputation as being one of the best juried shows in Northern Virginia. It has attracted artists throughout the area and has been in existence for over 40 years. The Spring Art Show and sale of VAS members’ artwork is also held yearly. Other activities of the Society, sometimes joined with other art societies, include a yearly trip to New York City to the American Watercolor Society Exhibit along with other art excursions. There are members who give educational programs to groups and organizations. Community activities include illustrations for the Town of Vienna Calendar, an annual printmaking workshop for children held at the Patrick Henry Library, a yearly high school scholarship, working with the Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and local elementary schools. Vienna Arts Center usually holds a Second Sunday reception for the public to view the newest show and to give the opportunity to interact with the artists. The Society deals in original works of art, having no photographic multiple of original work in shows. VAS is a volunteer run organization and members are asked to give six hours of their time during their year of membership and sitting time if they show in venues. The Vienna Arts Society is an organization of people interested in the arts that operates successfully only with the cooperation and volunteer industry of its members. VAS is a non-profit organization under the IRS regulation 501(3)c. VAS was incorporated in October 1975. The Society has an Executive Board, Committees and an Advisory Board of Directors. VAS conducts its business using Robert’s Rules of Order. The membership vote governs this organization. Visit:
http://viennaartssociety.org/
