History of Vienna Arts Society & more about VAS

April of 1969, nine lady painters met and formed the Vienna Arts Society. 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, thru workshops, art excursions and monthly meetings, demonstrations, lectures and critiques.

Todays members range from the professional artist who exhibit, teach 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.) have taught week long art workshops in various art media for the Society, helping in the art education of our members. 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 artist of today were participants. Such as Ken Marlowe,Dennis Fring, Lena Liu, Pat Berlin, Elaine Hahn.

Pertinent information is given at monthly meetings and in the monthly newsletter prior to each event. The General membership meetings are held the second Thursday of the month with the exception of December. The December meeting is a Christmas social for members. The general membership meetings usually take place at the Vienna Community Center, 120 Cherry Street, Vienna and are free and open to the public.The Society established 'Continuous Shows' where members have the opportunity to exhibit and sell their paintings. VAS has had a Continuous Art Show at Fairfax Hospital for 37 years.VAS has had as many as 12 Continuous Shows in business locations throughout Fairfax County. Members change the art work at Continuous Shows every six to seven weeks. Fairfax Arts Council gave an award to VAS for their project of exhibiting art in 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. E.Curtis. This is a co-op gallery and each exhibiting artists helps with the gallery operation. Spring 2004, VAS opened Vienna Art Center where it holds workshops, exhibits art work and conduct art lessons for adults and children in the community .

VAS has approximately 300 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 show in Northern Virginia. It has attracted artists throughout the area and has been in existence for 37 years. The Spring Art Show and sale of VAS members art work are held in different area locations,voted on by the membership.

Other activities of the Society include a yearly trip to New York City to the American Watercolor Society Exhibit, also other art excursions are taken.Their are members who give an educational program to groups and organizations, the presentation is titled 'What is Original Art?' Community activities include a annual printing making workshop for children held at the Patrick Henry Library, illustrations for the Town Of Vienna Calendar, Town xmas decorations on Church street, a yearly a high school scholarship, working with the Boy Scouts and local elementary schools, as well as working on the yearly float for the Town's Halloween parade.Vienna Art Center will offer to the public 'Sunday at the Art Center' an opportunity for the public to interact with a artist who will be doing a painting demonstration.The Society deals in original works of art, having no photographic multiple of original work in shows, unless membership votes to include them.VAS is a volunteer run organization and members are asked to give six hours of work during their year of membership. 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.

It is a non-profit organization under the IRS regulation 501(3)c. VAS was incorporated 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.