ABOUT US
GVA was founded in 1957 and is one of the oldest art groups in the Midwest and the oldest in Michigan. Not happy with the then-popular modern art focus of the local art community, Bill Kubiak, Armand Merizon, and Carl Forslund decided to start a group to focus instead on Realism and traditional art. GVA has grown to be a place where artists of all levels and media are welcome to meet, discuss, learn, practice their skills and grow. Over the years, GVA has come to embrace all styles, from representational to abstract to non-representational art in all its forms, and to welcome a full range of creatives from the explorer, to the emerging, to the professional artist. Find out what our artists are doing now at Grand Valley Artists Online Facebook Page.
Grand Valley Artists studio is located at 2661 29th Street SE, Suite B, Grand Rapids, MI 49512. Check out the calendar and come visit us when the gallery is open for sketch, open studio or events.
Our Mission
The mission of Grand Valley Artists is to nurture excellence in the visual arts by providing opportunities for self-expression, education, and exhibition within West Michigan’s dynamic, cultural community.
Our Vision
Grand Valley Artists envisions an inclusive community where artists come together to learn, create, and share.
Our Values
Creativity and Innovation
Grand Valley Artists (GVA) considers art essential. Our organization is committed to freedom of artistic expression. We prize the individual and collective contributions of artists in society and the ingenuity and innovation resulting from the creative process.
Learning
GVA promotes and provides varied learning and skill-building opportunities. Doing so nourishes excellence in the visual arts and increases the value of Grand Valley Artists to its members and to the larger arts community in West Michigan.
Partnership
GVA regards the interdependence of artists, organizations, and others interested in the arts as fundamental to community vitality and artistic success. Through partnerships, we seek to identify priorities, enable alignment of resources, and leverage knowledge to create greater opportunities for artistic expression.
Inclusion
GVA values an equitable, diverse, and inclusive Michigan. We interpret this as fair access to the tools and resources needed to realize a creative cultural community for all.
Community
GVA is part of the West Michigan arts community and supports engagement and collaboration. We work toward the expansion of artistic expression, education, and exhibition for our members and for the larger creative community.
Trinity United
Methodist Church
1100 Lake Dr.
Grand Rapids, MI 49546
Biggby Coffee
Various Locations
Members of Grand Valley Artists proudly display work at:
Our 2024 Leadership
President – Diane Haworth
(President@grandvalleyartists.org)
Vice President – Mary Jane Pories
(Vicepresident@grandvalleyartists.org)
Treasurer – Julia Berry
(Treasurer@grandvalleyartists.org)
Secretary – Denise DeVries (Secretary@grandvalleyartists.org)
Director of Education –
(Education@grandvalleyartists.org)
Sketch Studio – Kathy Bechtel, Jim Johnson, Diane Haworth
Director for Marketing – John Altena
Newsletter –
Website – Open
MailChimp – Dana Donnell
Director for Facilities – Dale Kenel, Richard Schaf
Director for Engagement – Gloria Russau
(Engagement@grandvalleyartists.org)
Director for Development – Dana Donnell
Additional Roles
Membership – Marty Klar
(Membership@grandvalleyartists.org)
Photography – Randy Nyhof
(photography@grandvalleyartists.org)
Hospitality – Open
Library – Richard Schaf
GVA Gallery – Jim Johnson
(Gallery@grandvalleyartists.org)
Gallery Assistant – Sara Youngman
