About
The Virginia Beach Art Center is a volunteer-run organization formed to provide an educational and supportive environment that inspires people of all ages and skill levels to experience, engage with and create art.
We fulfill this mission by bringing together The Artists Gallery, the Pottery Program, Exhibitions and Classes with a full program of events and activities to engage the community.
We fulfill this mission by bringing together The Artists Gallery, the Pottery Program, Exhibitions and Classes with a full program of events and activities to engage the community.
History of Artists Gallery Cooperative
In 1987, seven local artists created an informal cooperative in order to affordably share the expenses of leasing studio and gallery space. Two years later, they incorporated to become The Artists Gallery cooperative for local artists. Over the next 29 years, under the direction of Constance Fahey, they continued to grow and thrive. As they continue to succeed, there is the need to further expand, increasing the number of studios and exhibition spaces offered so that more artists can participate.
In 1987, seven local artists created an informal cooperative in order to affordably share the expenses of leasing studio and gallery space. Two years later, they incorporated to become The Artists Gallery cooperative for local artists. Over the next 29 years, under the direction of Constance Fahey, they continued to grow and thrive. As they continue to succeed, there is the need to further expand, increasing the number of studios and exhibition spaces offered so that more artists can participate.
History of Pottery Program
Elaine Goulart began the pottery program in the late 1970s by teaching a class for the city’s Parks and Recreation department. Elaine and a team of instructors slowly built a robust program of classes. They gradually added wheels, kilns and other equipment, often purchasing it with money raised by sales of their own works. The city is now in the process of razing the building that housed the program. Rather than allow this treasure to dissolve, the Virginia Beach Art Center is adopting the program to ensure its continued success.
Elaine Goulart began the pottery program in the late 1970s by teaching a class for the city’s Parks and Recreation department. Elaine and a team of instructors slowly built a robust program of classes. They gradually added wheels, kilns and other equipment, often purchasing it with money raised by sales of their own works. The city is now in the process of razing the building that housed the program. Rather than allow this treasure to dissolve, the Virginia Beach Art Center is adopting the program to ensure its continued success.
Board of Directors:
Jean Rawls, Chair
Howard Rodman, Vice Chair
John Betts, Treasurer
Martha Tompkins, Secretary
Sheila Braithwaite
Edwin Brown
Vinnie Bumatay
Bill Campbell
Constance Fahey
Jan Fine
Carole Gutterman
Elizabeth Hamberg
Maggie Kerrigan
Larry Perkins
Don Perry
Amy Ratliff
Joan Rhodes-Copeland
Sandi Snider
Kathy Staicer
Ann Wolcott
Howard Rodman, Vice Chair
John Betts, Treasurer
Martha Tompkins, Secretary
Sheila Braithwaite
Edwin Brown
Vinnie Bumatay
Bill Campbell
Constance Fahey
Jan Fine
Carole Gutterman
Elizabeth Hamberg
Maggie Kerrigan
Larry Perkins
Don Perry
Amy Ratliff
Joan Rhodes-Copeland
Sandi Snider
Kathy Staicer
Ann Wolcott