"Enriching Lives by Creating the Bridge between
the Visual Arts and Our Community"
The History of AVA Community Art Center
Did you know that 'AVA' is an acronym for Advocacy for the Visual Arts?
AVA Community Art Center is a visual arts community center located in downtown Gillette, WY. AVA hosts a professional ceramics studio, instructor-led workshops in a spectrum of mediums, two gallery spaces featuring a rotating calendar of monthly exhibitions, an extensive inventory of locally made artisan items available for purchase, and several community outreach programs in partnership with local organizations.
AVA was formally organized in 1998 by a group of local artists and citizens dedicated to helping make the visual arts more accessible to community members. In 1998, the founding group obtained Campbell County’s former Wyoming Department of Transportation building. With the help of grant writing, numerous fundraising activities, generous donations, and countless volunteer hours the facility was completely renovated and opened to the public in January 2003. AVA Community Art Center recently celebrated its 20 year milestone Anniversary, and since its opening has become a vital and integral part of Northeastern Wyoming's creative community.
AVA Community Art Center is a visual arts community center located in downtown Gillette, WY. AVA hosts a professional ceramics studio, instructor-led workshops in a spectrum of mediums, two gallery spaces featuring a rotating calendar of monthly exhibitions, an extensive inventory of locally made artisan items available for purchase, and several community outreach programs in partnership with local organizations.
AVA was formally organized in 1998 by a group of local artists and citizens dedicated to helping make the visual arts more accessible to community members. In 1998, the founding group obtained Campbell County’s former Wyoming Department of Transportation building. With the help of grant writing, numerous fundraising activities, generous donations, and countless volunteer hours the facility was completely renovated and opened to the public in January 2003. AVA Community Art Center recently celebrated its 20 year milestone Anniversary, and since its opening has become a vital and integral part of Northeastern Wyoming's creative community.
How does AVA make an Impact?
AVA's vision is to enrich lives by creating the bridge between visual arts and our community.
AVA’s Staff and Executive Board support this vision with three pillars of creative impact in mind:
INSPIRE artists of all ages to experience art. Whether it be for the first time or continued expression, AVA strives to inspire growth and further the creative opportunities in our community. CONNECT AVA works to connect Artists with opportunities to continue to learn, grow, and market their art throughout Wyoming and other regional areas surrounding our state. AVA partners with numerous organizations within our community; providing programming, art awareness and sharing visual arts opportunities. We strive to connect with citizens in our community who may not have access to art programs. AVA is fortunate to include Campbell County Suicide Prevention, The YES House, Climb Wyoming, & BOCES, Gillette College, Campbell County School District as our art partners in the region. CREATE a space for artists of all ages to further explore creative expression of the visual arts in various workshops. AVA provides professional development opportunities, a formal exhibit space, and a member-based Artisan Market for artists to market and sell their artwork. |
Meet our Director
Appointed Director of AVA Community Art Center in August 2019, Quinn Goldhammer has a passion for Arts Advocacy as well as an education in Studio Art, Art History and Exhibition Strategy.
Raised locally in Upton, Wyoming, Quinn received a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Wyoming with an emphasis in Museum Studies. After completing several years of Operations and Administrative Experience in the for-profit sector, the role of Director at AVA was a natural combination of Quinn’s passions and professional experiences. Quinn believes that Fine Art encourages diversity, freedom of expression and opportunity for growth and understanding within the community. It is her priority to advocate for Wyoming Art and Artists and she feels fortunate to pursue that vision as Director at AVA! Contact Quinn with questions or concerns at 307.682.9133 or [email protected]. |