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Our Mission and Vision

Mission Statement

The mission of the Wickenburg Art Club is to encourage and exhibit creative works of art and provide a fellowship venue for artists, craft persons and friends of the arts; provide educational opportunities for members and the public,and to develop further artistic skills and knowledge while promoting community-wide awareness of local art talent and activities.

Vision statement:
The Wickenburg Art Center and Gallery is the historic cornerstone of our community’s vibrant art scene where artistic expression thrives. We are dedicated to the creation of dynamic opportunities for the exploration, engagement, and enjoyment of the visual arts enriching the cultural fabric of our town.

History

Wickenburg Art Club – More than Fifty Years of History

MISSION

The mission of the Wickenburg Art Club is to encourage and exhibit creative works of art and provide a fellowship venue for artists, craft persons and friends of the arts; provide educational opportunities for members and the public, and to develop further artistic skills and knowledge while promoting community-wide awareness of local art talent and activities.

The Wickenburg Art Club was formally organized as the Wickenburg Art and Craft Group on November 23, 1964 with 20 members.

Its primary objectives have been to stimulate and encourage creative works in the arts, to provide educational opportunities for members to develop further in artistic skills and appreciation, and to promote and enrich community-wide awareness of local art talent and activities.

When first organized in 1964 the club dues were $1.00 per year. By 1975, dues had gone all the way up to $3.00 per year, and rose again to $5.00 per year in 1985. Meetings were held in Smoke Eaters Hall, and various places after that, locations unknown to us today. Sometimes meetings were held in various members’ homes. In the 1990’s, the banquet hall of the Community Center was used, with workshops being held in a small building in Coffinger Park, free of charge for cleaning and painting the building. Curtains were made, and tables and chairs added.

WAC has had a long association with Wickenburg’s Gold Rush Days, which began in 1961 when Chuck Brown was asked to chair an art show held in the parking lot of what is now Ben’s Saddlery on Tegner Street. In 1964 the Gold Rush Art Show was held on the American Legion lawn with 100 paintings exhibited. Earl Huff, who was president of the club in 1968, received permission from Dorothy Coons of the Town of Wickenburg for the club to hold the Artisans Fair on the library grounds. Cost for a booth was $25 for 3 days. The Artisans’ Fair at Wickenburg’s Gold Rush Days has been the main source of funds for the club ever since. Earl Huff was an acrylics artist. His wife Betty made baskets. In celebration of the WAC 50th anniversary, the upper section of the WAC classroom was reserved for showing paintings and art of the founding members, and Betty and Earl’s pieces were prominent in the display.

In the 1970’s, membership had dropped drastically, but the club was saved when Walter and Bonnie Johnson, gallery owners, opened their home for meetings. In 1973 there were 33 members, and assets of $103.07. Currently we have more than 200 members. An Annual Art Festival was organized in 1981, held at the Community Center for several years. Classes were given around this time by members who were proficient in various media. Fees were $0.50, $1.00 or $2.00 to be paid to the club. In November, 1983 WAC hosted the Friends of Music concert by a famous pianist, and at least once again with another musical artist. Thus, began our association with them, where we displayed art at almost every free concert until 2017.

We have long had a close relationship with the Town of Wickenburg, and it has been said that all of Wickenburg is our gallery, as we display currently in seven venues and other Town buildings.

We have an ongoing relationship with the Desert Caballeros Western Museum, too.

In the early days of the Museum, WAC not only exhibited our artworks there, but also held fundraisers for the Museum from time to time. Now, this partnership has grown into the West of Center event, where WAC displays artwork by our members in the DCWM Cultural Crossroads Learning Center during the summer.

The first Art Club logo was selected in 1988, created by Don Linn. It consisted of a horseshoe enclosing Vulture Peak. The name Artifacts for our newsletter was adopted in 1990 submitted by member June Jennerjahn. Our present logo of an artist’s palette flanked by a Stetson hat and cowboy boots was a joint creation of several members in 2002.

In 1988 was the first History Day art show by the club, and in 1992 Art Walks were held. The hard work of our many volunteers has benefited the club, allowing us to grow and develop.

2001 brought the purchase of our present property, the building at 188 South Tegner Street under the leadership of Helen Jenson, Louise Carty and Sharon Pearson. It was a former church, and cost $65,500. Many improvements have been made since then. Work days were held, with members showing up with scrub brushes and mops, hammers and nails.

Under the presidency of Marian Koegele, the building was repainted, with the sign “Wickenburg Art Center” now alongside our logo, previously painted by Tamara Thomas. The inside walls were painted, and the office and library updated. Heat and electric cooling unit additions and other remodeling along the way have resulted in a beautiful building.

New flagstone walkway and patio, with iron grillwork also enhanced the appearance. The hard work and effort of the club, and prudent handling of our funds enabled us to purchase the building and through the income from the Gold Rush Days Artisans’ Fair, we are able to keep the dues low and our programs intact.

A Charter member, Wanda Chrzanowski, recently visited a board meeting and brought a painting for display. In 2005 Dave Hill planned the first plein air outing, and in 2013 Joan McDermott began field trip outings to various art events.

The extra space of a large meeting room has enabled the club to sponsor workshops by professional artists. The meetings total at least 50 people during the winter months, and often more at our twice a year potluck dinners. Open studio on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays are for all members to work on their art projects. We have a writers’ group, photography group, and clay group (with up-to-date equipment). Our Artist at Work show, as well as the Artisans Fair at Gold Rush Days and the associated Library Fine Arts Show and Sale attract many visitors to see our art. The club offers a scholarship to a high school student who is pursuing further art education. During our history, we have made donations to many community organizations, not the least of which was donating more than $10,000 to the Wickenburg Unified School District in 2018 for its Art and Music programs.

An example of WAC’s commitment to community involved members donating art pieces to Yarnell, Arizona, residents who had lost their homes in the dreadful fire, and are rebuilding. This “Make a House a Home” project was initiated by JoAnn Simpson. More than 90 pieces of art were gratefully received by the victims.

Through efforts of the many volunteers in the membership, WAC has been able to enrich the cultural life of Wickenburg by donating to arts programs in the schools, scholarships, and town organizations. These include the town of Wickenburg, Desert Caballeros Museum, Chamber of Commerce, Sheriff’s Posse, Library, Friends of Music, Police Department and Community Action Programs.

All who visit the Wickenburg Art Club are delighted with our accomplishments, and we are grateful to the early members who had the vision to establish our club.

from Jeanine Brown, Historian

The Wickenburg Art Center and Gallery

Where Creativity Happens

Location

Gallery Hours

Sunday and Monday. CLOSED

Open Studio Hours for Members

Our Mission and Vision

History

The Wickenburg Art Club was formally organized as the Wickenburg Art and Craft Group on November 23, 1964 with 20 members.

In 1988 was the first History Day art show by the club, and in 1992 Art Walks were held. The hard work of our many volunteers has benefited the club, allowing us to grow and develop.