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Founding members Bonnie Ligouri, Maggie Carter, Jan Doherty are still painting buddies today. Submitted photo.

The Virgin Valley Artists Association (VVAA) salutes its own founders and the success of the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery during the month of June.  The nonprofit 501c3 organization was formed to foster visual arts in Mesquite. It has been the operator of the gallery since its grand opening in June, 2003. VVAA plans all gallery displays and its members staff the facility entirely through their volunteer work. The gallery and art center complex is a City-owned facility.

VVAA invites the community to celebrate the Gallery’s birthday month on Thursday, June 18.

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Potters Harlo and Kathleen Birkholz with their winning Jinni Bottle, created at the VVAA pottery studio. Submitted photo.

A public reception for the themed exhibition, “Face to Face,” will be held, 4-6 p.m., that afternoon.  Founding members of VVAA will be recognized at that time. All members of the community who have assisted in growth of the arts in Mesquite over the years are cordially invited to attend.   Bank of Nevada is sponsor of the June exhibition, which shows June 1-27.

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Randy McArthur, VVAA President 2003-4. Submitted photo.

In 2013, VVAA staged a celebration of the tenth anniversary of the gallery opening.  A highlight of that celebration was the popular “Mesquite Coyote” public art contest. VVAA also held a symposium that explored aspects of funding and selection of public art, compiled a history of the organization and gallery, and hosted a gala reception with a re-cutting of the gallery’s grand opening ribbon. About 250 people attended the reception, held June 27, 2013.

The Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery is located at 15 West Mesquite Blvd, Mesquite, Nevada. It is open Monday through Saturday, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m., offering original fine art and gifts for purchase. Art sales help support the gallery and VVAA’s art education program, which includes classes in art and pottery for all ages, public lectures, concerts and other cultural and social events. VVAA’s member meeting is held the third Monday of the month (June 15) at 11a.m.   More information about Virgin Valley Artists Association membership and its patron program is available online at www.mesquitefineartscenter.com and Facebook.