37 Elizabeth St

The Valley Arts Council is issuing a Call to Artists for the first exhibit in our new art gallery at 37 Elizabeth Street in Derby. All artwork must be suitable in content for general audiences and ready to display subject to approval of the Gallery Advisory Board. Two dimensional artwork, including painting, drawing, photography, fabric and mixed media must be wired for hanging. No sawtooth hangers will be accepted. Artwork on canvas must be framed or gallery wrapped. Prints of original artwork on display will be accepted only with suitable display racks. Bases for sculpture and freestanding displays for jewelry and other small items must be provided by the artist and must be presentable and in good condition.

This exhibit is open to all current members of the Valley Arts Council. Renewal applications will be available at the gallery and must be submitted with full payment of dues prior to acceptance of artwork. Due to the time and cost required to operate this gallery, artists must commit to two hours of gallery sitting or pay a fee of $20.00 for each piece of artwork submitted. Fee for small items will be based on the size of the collection. Fee for prints of original artwork will be included in the fee for the original artwork submitted.

Collection of artwork will take place on Tuesday March 18 and Wednesday March 19 from 5 to 8:30 pm at the gallery at 37 Elizabeth Street. Name and contact information must be attached to any artwork, case or pedestal brought into the gallery. Please include a biography and some information regarding the artwork (style, time to complete, inspiration, past exhibits, rewards, etc.) Every picture has a story to tell and any information you provide will help to promote and sell your artwork.

To facilitate the collection process, please print and fill out an Entry and Release Form and artwork identification labels and bring completed forms to the gallery with your artwork. Questions can be directed to this email address or by contacting Rich DiCarlo at 906-4343. The success of this venture depends on your participation. Be part of history in the making for the new direction of the Valley Arts Council. Stay tuned for an announcement of the grand opening.

Art of Giving

The Valley Arts Council is collaborating with the Valley Philanthropic Council to offer the community the first annual, “Art of Giving” show, at the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce in Shelton.  The purpose of the show is to celebrate the essence of giving of oneself to another, unselfishly and without an agenda, and will take place in November, a time of national thanksgiving to honor our country’s veterans.

This exhibit is open to all artists and paintings, drawings, sculpture or music that interprets the meaning of the "Art of giving" are welcome. Theme examples are: Our troops, caregivers, mothers, fathers, Red Cross, Volunteers, food drives. Entering art into the show is free to all Valley Arts Council members. A fee of $15.00 will be charged to all non-members. We invite all non-members to join the Valley Arts Council for the annual dues of $20.00 a year.  Please print and fill out an Artist Registration form and mail to the address below by October 18th.

The artist can offer the artwork for sale, although it is not necessary. We suggest a donation of 20% of the sale to go to a charity of the artist choice. All submittals will be considered. VAC/VPC reserves the right to refuse artwork that is not based on theme or in any other way inappropriate.

The gala opening will be at the Greater Valley Chamber of Commerce, 900 Bridgeport Avenue, Shelton, CT, Sunday, November 9th from 1-5 pm. The art will remain on display until Sat. Dec. 6th. All are welcome to attend. There is no admission charge, although a can of food or a donation to a charity of your choosing is always welcome.

Valley Arts Council

900 Bridgeport Ave, 2nd fl

Shelton, CT 06484