The Center for the Visual Arts boasts a 30 year history of fostering visual arts education in downtown Wausau, Wisconsin.  The seed was planted in 1982, by an established watercolor artist, Rita Crooks.  Rita recognized the need for art education beyond that available through the school system.  With area artists and community leaders, the goals were established that remain core to the Center for the Visual Arts today:

To enhance the appreciation of and education in the visual arts

To promote creativity

To support an exhibition gallery

To maintain a juried gallery shop

The journey began in artists’ homes, moving to the First Presbyterian Church on Grant Street, Wausau Lakeside Plywood, The Crooks’ Law Firm Library, and the Wausau Conservatory of Music before setting up shop in 1990 at the present location on the 400 Block.

As Tom Berger, Opinion Page Editor wrote in 1989:

“It was a match made in Wausau.  The Center for the Visual Arts has a new home in the former Wausau Area Chamber of Commerce building at the corner of Fourth and Scott Streets. 

It fits nicely there, next to the Performing Arts Foundation – its landlord – and the Grand Theater, kindred souls of our arts community. 

The juxtaposition creates an arts corner….Wausau is blessed….  ” 

The Center for Visual Arts embraced the new space, creating a gallery, gift shop, classroom and pottery studio offering classes for adults and children in all visual art mediums.

In 2000, the Performing Arts Foundation completed a major fund drive to remodel the Grand Theater and to create a new space between the theater and The Center for the Visual Arts with galleries resulting in a premier juried exhibiton space.   Arts Block was completed, showcasing The Caroline S. Mark Gallery which houses new shows regularly.    The Loft Gallery, on the second floor provides space for locally themed  exhibits and programs. 

Today, like The Grand, The Center for the Visual Arts leases  administrative and classroom space from The Grand Theater Foundation.

The Grand Theater Foundation with The Grand offers the gallery spaces for event rental for up to 100 participants with The Center for the Visual Arts providing ever changing backdrops for receptions, celebrations and presentation ceremonies.

Directors of the Center for the Visual Arts