The Visual Arts Society of Texas (VAST), organized in 1975, is based in Denton, Texas, and functions as a non-profit, professional organization dedicated to supporting artists and art lovers. VAST is registered as a 501(c)(3) organization with the Internal Revenue Service and donations to VAST are tax-deductible.
Mission Statement
Artists and community connecting to create and celebrate visual arts!
Goals
- increasing community appreciation for the visual arts
- continued improvement of individual artistic expression
- offering fellowship with people of similar interests
VAST coordinates a number of activities throughout the year to support the organizational mission statement and goals.
Monthly Meetings
Everyone is welcome to attend the monthly meetings, which are held at 6:45 pm on generally the first Wednesday of each month (September through May) at the Patterson-Appleton Arts Center in Denton. Members or students currently enrolled at an educational institution may attend free, and guests are charged $5 per meeting.
Monthly meetings feature an art demonstration/lecture given by artists of varying media. Meetings also include an informal exhibit upon which the attendees vote to select the Artist of the Month.
VAST members are encouraged to bring a piece of art to our monthly meetings for a member’s choice competition. We vote on our favorite pieces during the break. At the conclusion of the program, we name “Artist of the Month” to our first place winner, who receives a $25 gift certificate from Asel Art Supply, redeemable at any of their locations. The second place winner receives a $15 gift certificate from Asel.At the May meeting, all “Artists of the Month” bring back their winning piece, and from these pieces, we vote and select our “Artist of the Year.” The mini-show does not take place at the meeting when we have our High School Art Competition.
Other Activities
In addition to the monthly meetings, other VAST activities include an annual calendar competition, workshops, monthly critique group, monthly figure drawing group, VAST Artist Day Out (VADO), regional juried exhibition, Members Exhibition, and exhibition opportunities at various public local venues, mini-competitions and more! VAST also sponsors an annual art competition for Denton County high school art students.
Membership
The VAST membership year is June 1 – May 31. Anyone desiring membership in the organization may join by paying the required dues. Various levels of membership are available. For more information on becoming a VAST member or how to renew your membership, click here.
Governance
VAST is governed by a Board of Directors consisting of not less than three (3) and not more than twenty-five (25) members. The Board of Directors has full responsibility for the management of the business of the Organization within the structure of the approved Bylaws. The Board of Directors determines the policies governing the administration and operation of the Organization and has full responsibility for the financial affairs and for the ethical and professional standards of the Organization.
Please feel free to contact any member of the VAST Board of Directors.
