Community Highlights: Meet African American Visual Artists Guild

Today we’d like to introduce you to African American Visual Artists Guild. They and their team shared their story with us below:

African American Visual Artists Guild (AAVAG.org) was organized by Curtis Barnes Sr. and Willis Bing Davis in May 1992. Since then, African American Visual Artists Guild has established itself as a dedicated community leader in support and delivery of fine art exhibitions and curator service. AAVAG serves as a premier Art Exhibit Coordinator offering professional consulting in the Design and Management of Art Exhibitions and Displays for museums, galleries, festivals, and conventions. Our mission is to serve the arts, artists, and community by developing, empowering, and cultivating visual arts and artists. 

We value collaboration with community stakeholders to foster inclusion and access to the arts across diverse sectors of the Miami Valley and societies writ large. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The idea of a group for artists of African descent in the Dayton area came to life in 1992 under the hopeful eyes of Dayton artists Curtis Barnes Sr. and Willis “Bing” Davis. Their vision was to bring together artists and art patrons to share their passion for the visual arts and work to uplift artists of African descent throughout the Miami Valley; so began AAVAG as the Dayton Arts club. The club slowly grew into the African American Visual Artists Guild (AAVAG), which officially became a 501 (C)3) non-profit corporation in August of 1995. A number of challenges AAVAG has encountered are sustaining funding for arts education and programs, garnering broader public recognition of the talented member artists, growing the support for the organization in a highly competitive industry, and expanding venues for artists exhibitions and opportunities.

We’ve been impressed with African American Visual Artists Guild, Inc. (AAVAG), but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The strength of AAVAG is its talented members, patrons, and benefactors who devote their time and resources to bring high-quality arts to the public. We are fortunate to be part of a collaborative community that values the arts. Through the support of the Ohio Arts Council, Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, CultureWorks, the City of Dayton, business and community donations, AAVAG presents the Exposition Through Art, a two-year travelling exhibit; Black Heritage Through Visual Rhythms exhibition, a national juried exhibition that garners national exposure for artists; Annual Art Day, a program to introduce aspiring creatives in underrepresented and underserved communities to the arts. In addition, AAVAG takes pride in promoting arts education and programs in partnership with organizations such as Dayton Art Institute, Springfield Museum of Art, Springboro Performing Arts Center, schools, and civic institutions. The economic impact of visual arts in area communities has made AAVAG and Dayton a destination for the arts. A number of its members are award-winning artists that have garnered high-profile recognition for excellence in their respective crafts. These are all assets that helps to advance AAVAG relationships with communities and grow new memberships nationwide. 

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Our Monthly Members’ Meetings are held the last Saturday of the month, 2 pm to 4 pm at the AAVAG Gallery located at Central State University Dayton at 840 Germantown Street 45402. Visit AAVAG online at webpage www.aavag.org and Links to AAVAG’s social media: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095211353437&mibextid=LQQJ4d 

African American Visual Artists Guild (AAVAG) (@aa__vag) • Instagram photos and videos 

instagram.com 

Pricing:

• Associate Membership $35.00 annually
• Active Membership $50.00 annually
• Patron Membership $150.00 or more annually
• Student Membership $35.00 annually

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aavag.org
• Instagram: African American Visual Artists Guild (AAVAG) (@aa__vag)
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100095211353437&mibextid=LQQJ4d