Welcome to the Valley Art Center
Our vision includes everyone. We cultivate art appreciation and the growth of creative potential for people of all ages and backgrounds to advance the arts in the community.
About Us |
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Valley Art Center is the hub of the visual arts in the Chagrin Valley, providing local communities with art classes, art exhibitions, and art shopping for over 50 years. Each year, we offer over 400 classes, workshops and summer camps for students, from children to seniors, who range from beginner to seasoned professional. Explore drawing, painting, ceramics, photography, jewelry, metalwork, and more. Our Bowen & Patron Galleries host 9 exhibits annually with curated, invitational, and juried shows. On the second weekend of June each year we host Art by the Falls, a fine art and contemporary craft outdoor festival drawing over 120 artists and over 15,000 visitors. Our calls to entry draw local, regional, and national artists from the Cleveland area and beyond. The Valley Art/Shop and galleries host hundreds of unique original pieces of art for sale, from functional to flashy, at a wide variety of price points.
Our Mission and Values |
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Our mission is to enrich and inspire the community through meaningful visual art education, exhibitions, events and partnerships. We accomplish this by living our values:
SUPPORTING ARTISTS AND CREATIVITY: We support artists, creativity and art appreciation through excellence in art education, programming, events and community partnerships.
COMMUNITY BUILDING: We cultivate community through engagement and shared experiences in an environment where all are welcome.
EQUITY/INCLUSION: We foster an environment that advances principles of social equity, inclusion and equal access to resources and opportunities.
STEWARDSHIP: We value the careful stewardship of our human, financial, physical resources and organizational history.
Please find our 2023-2025 Strategic Plan Summary to the Community here:
SUPPORTING ARTISTS AND CREATIVITY: We support artists, creativity and art appreciation through excellence in art education, programming, events and community partnerships.
COMMUNITY BUILDING: We cultivate community through engagement and shared experiences in an environment where all are welcome.
EQUITY/INCLUSION: We foster an environment that advances principles of social equity, inclusion and equal access to resources and opportunities.
STEWARDSHIP: We value the careful stewardship of our human, financial, physical resources and organizational history.
Please find our 2023-2025 Strategic Plan Summary to the Community here:
Our Commitment |
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VAC’s Diversity Policy: Valley Art Center is committed to authentically and intentionally reflecting the rich diversity of Northeast Ohio by doing the work of inclusivity through openness, broadened opportunities, continuous evaluation, and engaging supportive culture across all of its programming, activities, and actions. VAC promotes involvement and expanded access to arts opportunities regardless of race, ethnicity, gender, religion, age, sexual orientation, nationality, disability, appearance, geographic location, or professional level.
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Find out more about us in our 50th year with this documentary about us, Art Finds a Way; Valley Art Center at 50.
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Find your way to Valley Art Center events, shopping, and classes
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Where is VAC?
Valley Art Center is located at 155 Bell Street near downtown Chagrin Falls on the east side of Cuyahoga County near Cleveland, Ohio. See driving directions and a map to Valley Art Center.
Parking
Wondering where to park?
Parking is available in all of the spaces behind our building and in the spaces surrounding the office buildings next door. These lots are accessible via the driveways at 139 and 147 Bell St. You may park in any space in these lots. Please reserve the upper parking lot, by the mural wall, for those who require barrier-free accessibility to upper level classrooms. The east entrance is a dedicated barrier-free entrance. Please use the buzzer to alert staff when you use this entrance. During special events, overflow parking is often available at the Intermediate School off Philomethian Street. The city will not allow parking across the street. Cars parked there may be towed. Students and visitors are often unsure of where to park, so please don't hesitate to ask staff! Drop Off
Please come into the center and check in with the instructor or the front desk when dropping off and picking up minors.
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Accessibility
At Valley Art Center, we strive to provide an inclusive and supportive environment for all students, including those with disabilities. Our facility is wheelchair accessible, and we welcome students to bring an assistant or caregiver to class for individualized support. While we can accommodate some visual and hearing impairments, we are unable to provide specialized medical care, one-on-one assistance, or behavioral support during classes. For those who require more tailored care, we offer private art therapy sessions with a trained therapist. For further information about our private sessions, accessibility accommodations or to request an accommodation, please contact us at [email protected].
Experience more of the arts in Chagrin Falls
Valley Art Center is part of the Chagrin Falls Village Arts Commission. Check out the Village's other fantastic arts organizations and plan a great day out in Chagrin Falls!
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A first-of-its-kind mural in Chagrin Falls
Valley Art Center's mural can be viewed every day at 155 Bell Street
Valley Art Center's mural is the first sanctioned mural in the Village of Chagrin Falls. It was painted by Chagrin Falls resident and artist Charles “Bud” Deihl, whose design was selected in a 2014 juried competition.
The mural employs hyperrealism and surrealism and includes many references to Chagrin Falls and the arts. It incorporates features of the building, including a door, light fixtures and two windows.
The mural cost over $6,000 to create and was partially funded through the generosity of Sherwin-Williams Company, J&K Painting, ALL Aerials, and individual contributors including a “Kickstarter” online crowd-funding campaign. Mural competition jurors were Dana Davis, Kirk Gebler, George Kozmon, Scott Lax, Lynne Lofton and Nancy Rogoff.
Deihl is a VAC instructor and past board member and works primarily in oils on canvas. He is a former graphic designer and illustrator as well as former President and Professor of Art at Columbus College of Art & Design among many other prestigious positions. In 2007, he designed VAC’s current front façade. He has been part of VAC’s evolution in a significant and meaningful way.
The mural employs hyperrealism and surrealism and includes many references to Chagrin Falls and the arts. It incorporates features of the building, including a door, light fixtures and two windows.
The mural cost over $6,000 to create and was partially funded through the generosity of Sherwin-Williams Company, J&K Painting, ALL Aerials, and individual contributors including a “Kickstarter” online crowd-funding campaign. Mural competition jurors were Dana Davis, Kirk Gebler, George Kozmon, Scott Lax, Lynne Lofton and Nancy Rogoff.
Deihl is a VAC instructor and past board member and works primarily in oils on canvas. He is a former graphic designer and illustrator as well as former President and Professor of Art at Columbus College of Art & Design among many other prestigious positions. In 2007, he designed VAC’s current front façade. He has been part of VAC’s evolution in a significant and meaningful way.
