Mission

The mission of the Verdes Art League is to stimulate, encourage and promote the artistic talent and interests of residents within the Verdes Communities.

About

The Verdes Art League is a non-profit organization. Any resident of the Verdes and/or surrounding communities is eligible to participate in instructional and educational classes and events. However, members will always have priority so we encourage you to join. The League presently hold two art shows a year in which members can apply to share their work.

The Verdes Art League is governed by an executive committee of five elected Officers: Two Co-Presidents; Treasurer; Secretary; Past President. Any member can volunteer his or her name for election consideration to the Executive Committee. Executive Committee officers are elected for a two year term.

VAL 2023-24 Executive Committee + Advisors / CLICK HERE FOR LIST AND CONTACT FORM

Current by-laws of the Verdes Art League are available to view here.

Goals

History

Following are some fun facts on the history of the Verdes Art League.

The Rio Verde Art League was organized in 1985 by Verna Alexander, Mary Lee Eger and Hazel Peterson. At this time the Verdes Art League was comprised solely of oil painters who needed be juried in by the membership. The fifty members paid dues of $10.

The first Verdes Art League show was held in 1986 at the Rio Verde Country Club. While artist work was available for purchase, prices were not posted. Rather, sales transactions were managed through Gridley’s, an art framing store in Fountain Hills.

In 1987 the League organized a get acquainted party at the home of Verna Alexander on Four Peaks Boulevard, At this event—dubbed “Art Walk”—each artist diplayed one piece of their work. Also in 1987, Eddie Lopez was invited to become our resident artist. Today you can still take lessons from a professional artist most Monday mornings in the VAL Art Room. See the calendar and workshops and events for information.

By 1990, there were two Art Walks; the following year a raffle was held to raise money to buy grids for the two art shows. A speaker from the Heard Museum came in 1992 and the dues rose to $20 if you were a displaying artist but just $10 if you were not.  In 1992 the fall art sale was held in conjunction with the CRC bake sale but the next year this became a stand alone event held on the patio on the north side of the Country Club. The first Art Lecture was held in 1992 with a speaker from the Heard Museum. The Art Lecture is now a series of talks each spring by docents from the Phoenix Art Musuem.

In 1995 one class of membership was established and dues were raised to $25.  During the following year Tonto Verde artists were invited to join in classes and workshops. Dues went up again in 1997 to $30 where they remain today.

By 2004 a new Community Center had replaced the Oasis and it included an Art Room. The name of the organization was changed to “Verdes Art League” to be inclusive of all the Verdes. In 2007, Jane Lewis designed, organized and oversaw the painting of the Art Room Mural by members of the VAL.

The League became more expansive, and invited watercolor  and abstract painters and mixed media artists to join. Today you’ll also find weavers, potters, woodworkers, jewelry makers, quilters, and more. At the 2013 general meeting the Verde River Artisans, a Tonto Verde art group, announced that they were disbanding and bringing their membership and their remaining funds to the Verdes Art League.

A monthly newsletter helped to bring the league together—providing information on events, workshops, and member activities, It was originated by Marjorie Barrit and continued from 2012 until 2022 by Susan Murphy. In 2023 member communication has shifted to this website and a monthly e-news update.

In 2021 Marjorie and Toni Lowden published a Verdes Art League directory that showcased members, their artwork, and artist statements (philosophy). Currently, the directory is available physically in the Verdes Art Room and also the Rio Verde Library. A briefer but more current directory is under production and will be available on the website in the future.

As of the date of this short history, 2023, the Verdes Art League has close to one-hundred paid members, two art shows a year which are attended by over 200 people from across the Phoenix valley and beyond. Members attend area art events together, host and enjoy member workshops, enjoy speaker and guest artist instructional sessions, and more.

Verdes Art League membership is no longer restricted to vetted artists. Membership is now open to everyone who wants to experience the joy in making art and the inspiration that comes when people join together to celebrate it. No previous experience is needed. The Verdes Art League is “Art for All.”

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Did you know?

The paintings done by our Founders hang high above the Mural wall in the Art Room.

While the VAL Meetings and art shows were suspended in 2022 they are back now and being hosted in the newly remodeled community center.

The VAL Art Room is open daily to members for gathering, making, and learning. See the events and workshop page on this website for information.