Members Benefits

1. Enter into our many Member exhibits  and events.

2. Sit at the Art Gallery. Its a great opportunity to talk with the visitors about your work and the exhibit.

3. Check your inbox regularly for important VAL announcements.

4. Experiment and learn new art techniques and ideas attending our monthly meetings (Held the 2st Tuesday of each month at 7pm).

5. Participation  in the ARTIST OF THE MONTH -competition to win prizes.

6. Opportunities to teach workshops or classes.

7. Collaborate with other member artists and explore new mediums.

8. Opportunities to participate in public arts.

9 Display your artwork in the heart of Old Town – participate in City events such as Western Days, Art Festival, and Holiday at the Hall.

10. Opportunities to show your work around town in our many satellite galleries in restaurants, shops, libraries, theaters.

11. Bring your ideas and put them in action participating on Committees and the Board

12. Opportunity to attend hands on workshops  offered by well known artists.

13. Enjoy the Acoustic Fridays at the Art Gallery where local musicians gather every week on Friday to play and sing.

 Student $20 per year
Educator $25 per year
Individual $35 per year
Family $40 per year
Patron $75 and above

Membership dues are paid annually.

When was the Visual Art League formed and
what is the purpose of the Visual Art League?

The VAL was organized in 1978 with the purpose to increase the enjoyment of the arts and enhance appreciation of art talent. We have done this through classes and workshops for art instruction, exhibitions of professional arts as well as emerging artists, providing judges for various groups and schools.

Are all the members of the Visual Art League painters?

No, not at all. Members include professional artists, art educators and others whose passions are the visual arts. That includes those who just like to look at art, those that collect art and those that want to know more about art. Some may not be artists when they join, but the creative environment usually rubs off. We do have artists who paint, but also artists who sculpt, create jewelry, are photographers and on and on.

What does the Visual Art League do, to interest non-painters?

We have lectures and presentations by professional artists in a wide range of subjects.  Most exhibits are open to other art genres.

How does VAL give local artists exposure?

Through exhibitions in the art gallery of the MCL Grand Theater and Center for Creative Arts as well as other locations and through publications and news articles.

As Lewisville has grown, what changes have there been
in the Visual Art League (VAL)?

As Lewisville has grown, the needs of the community for exposure to art has grown. There are more people interested in the stories art has to tell, and in giving their children art education, and there are more local artists who want to give to the community and show their works. Therefore, the Visual Art League is more important today than ever to satisfy these needs.

The VAL has always been a non-profit organization, but we applied for and received non-profit status from the IRS in 1995. This means that donors may deduct contributions. This also opened an opportunity for the VAL to apply for grants.

At the same time, VAL located in a small space on Main Street. It has since moved into its current location with three exhibit areas. Plans are now being made for the establishment of a summer education program.

Is there an entry fee to get into the exhibits?

Yes, there are fees to enter our juried main shows at the MCL GRAND Art Gallery. North Corridor exhibits, show case, and community shows  do not have fees.

How much commission does VAL receive?

VAL receives 20% if the artwork sells.  10% of that goes to the MCL Grand.

How long will my artwork be on display?

Currently our shows are running approximately one to one and a half months.  No pieces may be removed from an exhibit until the close.

How is artwork selected for the exhibits?

All entries are accepted for some shows.  Some are judged exhibits, i.e. a judge of some expertise judges the artwork for awards and ribbons; all entries are accepted if possible.  Others are juried by a juror of expertise who selects the work that goes into the exhibit and makes the decision on awards

I want to show my artwork in the gallery, what do I do?

Be member – follow the prospectus – prepare your piece following VAL guidelines – see schedule of upcoming shows – see schedule of intake – volunteer to assist in some aspect of producing the exhibit.

Do I submit digital images of my artwork or the actual artwork? 

Submit the actual artwork to our intake schedule.  If selected will remain at the art center. However, some juror’s may select work via digital images in the future.

What happens next if my artwork is accepted?

The artwork remains at the art center.  A time is set up for installation.  You will be notified of the opening reception date and strike date.

If the juror did not select my artwork, can I try again?

Yes.  Because the judge or juror feels a piece submitted is not right for the current show, does not mean it won’t be accepted at another exhibit.  However, once a piece has been exhibited at the MCL Grand Art Gallery  it cannot show there again.