The Villages Art League
The Villages Art League was formed in 1989 when a group of artists started painting together in Paradise Recreation Center in The Villages. At that time it was the only Recreation Center. Now The Villages includes Spanish Springs Town Square, Lake Sumter Landing and Brownwood, and there are more than 30 Recreation Centers.
As The Villages grew so did the Art League. So many artists wanted to paint together and soon it outgrew Paradise and the club was relocated to Saddlebook Recreation Center. VAL business meetings are held at 9:00 a.m. on the first Monday of every month at the Saddlebrook Rec Center. All Villages artists are welcome.
We now paint together three times a week in three locations around The Villages:
Mondays 9:00-Noon at the Saddlebrook Rec Center (first Monday of the month is our business meeting)
Thursdays 1:00-5:00 pm at Mulberry Rec Center
Saturdays 8:30-11:00 am at Paradise Rec Center
Members are also encouraged to use their skills by becoming involved in various ways as VAL Volunteers. To see the opportunities, click here.
As The Villages grew so did the Art League. So many artists wanted to paint together and soon it outgrew Paradise and the club was relocated to Saddlebook Recreation Center. VAL business meetings are held at 9:00 a.m. on the first Monday of every month at the Saddlebrook Rec Center. All Villages artists are welcome.
We now paint together three times a week in three locations around The Villages:
Mondays 9:00-Noon at the Saddlebrook Rec Center (first Monday of the month is our business meeting)
Thursdays 1:00-5:00 pm at Mulberry Rec Center
Saturdays 8:30-11:00 am at Paradise Rec Center
Members are also encouraged to use their skills by becoming involved in various ways as VAL Volunteers. To see the opportunities, click here.
Tips for using ZOOM
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, recreation centers in The Villages have been closed or are limiting seating, so the VAL has not been holding in-person meetings. Beginning on Monday, October 5 we will meet remotely using ZOOM. For ZOOM tips, click here.
Eisenhower Art Exhibit
The current exhibit hangs from November 9 to January11, 2021
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The many visitors to Eisenhower Recreation Center give these exhibits great exposure. This not a judged show. The art pieces are a mix of oils, acrylics, photography, collage, colored pencil and watercolor. It's a beautiful show representing the quality of talents in local artists! The art exhibit changes every other month.
Initiated by VAL president Nancy Dias as part of the club’s 25th year anniversary in 2014, Cindy Ewing and Janet Marks are current chairs of this venue. |
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Read about the exhibit opening on August 18, 2014 as reported by the Villages-News.com. For pictures from the opening, click here. For pictures of 2019-2020 Eisenhower shows, click here. For exhibits from 2014-2018, click here.
VAL Holiday Party
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Our annual Holiday Party at Saddlebrook Rec Center was held on December 2, 2019. The fun included a contest between two teams who used supplies provided to create a living Christmas tree. Then those seated at the 12 tables joined in "The Twelve Days of Christmas," each singing their part on their day! Dave Boege captured the delicious food and festivities with photos. |
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30 Years Old! VAL Celebrates with a Hawaiian Luau
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Held at the Savannah Center on November 15, 2019, the 30th anniversary of the Villages Art League, a luau, was a great event! There was a roasted pig, delicious sides, leis for everyone, and many desserts made by attendees. People were entertained by a DJ and a wonderful Hawaiian dance group. The VAL started in 1989 because a small group of artists wanted to paint together. They met at Paradise, which was the only rec center in The Villages at that time. We have grown to over 250 members so the club has come a long way! Once again, Dave Boege captured the event with his camera (thanks, Dave!) - Click here to see all of the photos.
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The planning committee for the 30th Anniversary Celebration
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Jan Balow's video of the event. Thanks, Jan!
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Fall Fine Art Festival
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The Eisenhower Rec Center was a hub of activity on Saturday, October 26 as 97 artists of the Villages Art League displayed their artwork to the large, steady crowd. Longtime artist, Freddie Venturoni, was unable to attend, but her pen and ink art was displayed in her absence by her friends Vivian Chaska and Gail Parker. Once again our thanks go to Dave Boege who photographed the day. Click here for the photo gallery. |
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Inspired by the Masters Exhibit
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VAL's 7th Annual exhibit was hung on Saturday, September 14 in LaHacienda Rec Center's LaGalleria. Judge of this year's exhibit was Sharon Harris. The artwork will hang until December 14.
Ribbon awards were given:
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First Place awarded to Peggy Lefebvre for her watercolor "Mother and Child"
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Member-to-Member Art Show and Tell - September 9, 2019
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Several times a year our monthly meeting is devoted especially to 'us' - a time when we can display a piece of our art just for 'us' to see and enjoy. The artwork is placed on tables around the room for all to view. In addition, this time each of us were given a minute or two to talk about our piece. For photos of some of the art, click here. |
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VAL's Summer Art Festival
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More than 70 artists displayed their work on Saturday, July 13, 2019 at the Lake Miona Rec Center. Click here for a photo review of the event, courtesy of photographer Dave Boege.
Earlier a contest was held among members of the Villages Art League to design the ad for the art show and sale. Nine entries were submitted; all were wonderful. But Greg Smith's entry caught the jury panel's eyes unanimously. Greg was awarded first selection of location for the show, free show registration and an article in The Villages Daily Sun highlighting his work. |
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For a free download for the PDF reader, click here.