Sally Leppala joined VVAA in 2014, bring her talent for finely detailed landscapes such as this acrylic, By the Sea.
The Virgin Valley Artists Association (VVAA) operates the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery. Its members show and sell their work at the gallery, launching a new display each month.
The organization and gallery are unique for a city the size of Mesquite. VVAA boasts membership of over 200. This includes about 150 artists and a sizeable group of supporting members and patrons. Attracting such a large membership helps make VVAA a vital force in the community and notable among artist groups of the area. “Many hands help lighten the load” when it comes to hosting receptions and events, staffing the gallery and pottery studio, which run on 100% volunteer service, and fundraising efforts.
VVAA also hosts a free art lecture on the first Tuesday of each month. These lectures and demonstrations provide fresh insights on the value of art training in everyday life, whether it be in developing a career, building personal skills, or simply providing an enjoyable hobby.
This arts organization, which welcomes new members and provides art learning opportunities, is a natural magnet for new residents. Too, having a beautiful gallery that will show every members’ art is a surprisingly unique situation for an arts group. Commercial galleries are much more closed in their requirements for accepting work. Few organizations can boast of having a facility that equals the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery. The collaboration between the stewardship of VVAA and the City’s ownership of the art center complex has established a treasured symbiotic relationship that benefits the entire community.
89 Cents a Pound, acrylic by VVAA member Moss Picard.
A third factor in the success the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery is the generous financial support received from local businesses and individuals who sponsor gallery exhibitions and contribute to various fundraising efforts held by VVAA. Each year, businesses underwrite member competitions and VVAA’s national competition, Lucky 13. The generous purse for Lucky 13, made possible by Mesquite businesses, is a real draw in attracting fine artwork from distant states.
While developing its members’ artistic abilities, VVAA also looks to the future and provides support to young students of the valley by hosting Student Art Month each May, funding post-high school scholarships, and offering free art classes. VVAA has recently joined with many others in the community to support the Mesquite Reads initiative and the High School Counselors fund that helps defray class enrollment fees for qualified high school students who wish to enroll in classes that cost anywhere from $11 to $300, depending on the subject and level of credits given.
VVAA welcomes residents and tourists to enjoy the hundreds of pieces of artwork shown at the gallery, which keeps regular business hours throughout the year. Each month the artists host a free public reception to recognize participating artists whose work is on display, and to simply provide a nice social event for anyone in the community who wishes to attend.
New VVAA member Patricia Nay offers her polymer clay art, Desert Beauty.
Those who are looking for art lessons might find exactly what they want in moderately- priced drawing, pottery and painting lessons sponsored by VVAA. Classes are taught throughout the year, with enrollment open almost every month. Classes are small enough for instructors to work with individuals at varying levels, from beginner to accomplished artist.
The success of VVAA can be seen in the fine work its members display at the Gallery. Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery is located at 15 West Mesquite Blvd, Mesquite, Nevada. Visit the gallery during its business hours, 10 a.m.-4 p.m., Monday through Saturday, or visit the VVAA website, www.mesquitefineartscenter.com. Members and visitors are always welcome!
Dianna Schwierzke uses painted metallic strips in this fascinating abstract.
Photographer David Bailey is Artist of the Month at the Mesquite Fine Arts Gallery
