The CVA’s mission to promote the appreciation for the visual arts has never been more focused.  With the expansion of the new gallery space on ArtsBlock, the CVA has seen a record number of people attending “After Glow” receptions as well as touring the gallery during the week.  This past  calendar year, the CVA had over 9,000 visitors in the Gallery, an increase of 850 people in 2004.  The exhibit schedule ended the year with a strong show featuring the local talent Dave Junion and Randy Verhasselt in Our Home –Black & White, NO GRAY.   Exhibitour opened the doors to many new faces by inviting downtown businesses to convert their shops into galleries for one evening, and adopt an artist.  The CVA sits on this committee and plays an active roll in encouraging attendance and promoting artists.  Between 700-1,000 people attend this event twice a year.  The interest and excitement created by this new event encourages people to attend our regular exhibits and receptions as well.

In general, the CVA has between 7-9 exhibits each year.  To cover the costs of marketing and hosting a reception, the CVA solicits sponsors.  The $1250 sponsorship does not entirely cover the costs of an exhibit, but it goes a long way in subsidizing the expenses.

One lesson the CVA learned about the Our Home exhibit is that the public likes to support our local talent.  A record number of people toured the gallery for this exhibit, topping off at 2,796 people.  We’re seeing similar results with the Julie Daul Exhibit, Ephemeral Paths.   Her amazing talent with oil paints have impressed the visitors and encouraged sales of her artwork in the Gallery, as well as in the Gift Shop.    

EDUCATION

We believe that artistic talents are nurtured and encouraged through exposure and instruction.  We tailor our classes to age-appropriate groups and always offer the basics in drawing, painting and ceramics.  We complement these with an ever-changing selection of special instructions. 

This year it was our goal to expand our class list with new teachers, new topics and new procedures.  The Education Committee and the Education Coordinator have begun searching for a guest artist to conduct a workshop for our advanced adult artists in the region.  We’ve also added new classes to our repertoire, that have proven to be popular with the public, such as storybook illustration, lost wax jewelry casting, digital photography and for children we added a cartooning class and a haunted Halloween party. 

CVA GENERAL OPERATIONS

The CVA currently has a staff of six paid employees, of which one is full time.  We rely heavily upon volunteers to teach classes, assist in the Gift Shop, sit on our Board of Directors serve on committees, as well as greet visitors in the Gallery.  Our programs are mission based and offer this community rewarding art experiences and opportunities.  Next year it is the objective of the CVA to propel and promote the Center to the community and broaden our existing programs.  We’ve begun this by serving on Exhibitour and ChalkFest committees. 

Exhibit receptions have already experienced an increase in numbers, it is our goal to build upon that and encourage Gift Shop sales with these patrons.  Classes being offered at the CVA will also be a primary focus next year and efforts made to do more outreach and marketing. 

As always, the CVA will remain dedicated to it’s mission to promote the arts to the community, while offering opportunities for local artists to teach, sell their work and exhibit their art.  We are a strong contributor to the vitality of the community and an important member on ArtsBlock.   As we look forward to the future, we ask for continued support and encouragement from our supports and friends.

Current Staff of the CVA: 

Katie Crotteau – Executive Director

Jessica Brys – Executive Assistant, Gift Shop Coordinator

Mary Riedel – Education Coordinator

Mary Stremlau – Marketing Coordinator

Deb Wolf – Finance Coordinator

The Center for the Visual Arts Annual Report

A record number of people attended the "After Glow" reception, topping off at 300. The CVA continued it's solicitation of the television media with the shows that followed and have been regular guests on Channel 7 and in the Daily Herald ever since.

Increased marketing outside the area has provided the CVA with many new visitors to the shop from Madison, Chicago and Minnesota.

As always, the CVA will remain dedicated to it's mission to promote the arts to the community, while offering opportunities for local artists to teach, sell their work and exhibit their art.