Visual Arts Cooperative
Pink Rocks
Brian Alworth
Photography
The Visual Arts Cooperative will be the monthly artists featured in our new gallery at Scout Hall. This cooperative partnered with the Arts Council in 2003 and has been a staple of our organization ever since. We are honored to continually have such a talented group exhibiting their artwork in our space and hope they continue to inspire regional artists, anyone new to Southeast Missouri, and students pursuing a career in the arts.
All of the artists in the VAC have been juried into the cooperative. This means that samples of their artwork and their artist statement or resume were reviewed and accepted by a panel of current VAC members. The panel looks for intriguing composition or subject matter, evidence of ability to create new works monthly, and overall professionalism in presentation.
As a cooperative, these artists are responsible for more than submitting their work – they are members of teams that install and deinstall exhibitions, greet guests at opening receptions, and support one another. Each month, the VAC meets to prepare the gallery for a new exhibition. They often brew a pot of coffee and spend time catching up with each other, as this is more than just a group of artists working in a professional setting. Being a VAC artist means having a group of peers who help you reach new milestones in your work and be a positive influence to keep you creating.
2024 - 2025
Visual Arts Cooperative Artists
Brian Alworth, Laura Bain-Selbo, BelaOlga, Wade Cannon, Taylor Crowe, Anita Dickerson, Kelly Downes, Lesley Eby, Anne Foust, Terry Godwin, Don Greenwood, Clay Guthrie, Joni Hand, Katherine Hicks, Patricia Holloway, Hunter Hale, Carol Horst, Tiffany Johnkoski, Susan Koen, Linda Lovewell, Robert McCool, Barbi Myres, Rachel Pollock, Marty Riley, Lynn Robey, Brenda Seyer, Thomas Shaner, Mike Tenholder, Helen Towner, Robert Towner, Keith Whetstone, Abby Williams
In loving memory of Elizabeth Burns
"Go With the Flow" by Barbi Myres
"S is For..." by Susan Koen
"Medieval Kabhalistic Tree of Life" by Bob Towner
"Green River Overlook" by Brian Alworth
"Aspens" by Brenda Seyer
"Beyond the No Trespassing Sign" by Marty Riley
Interested in becoming a Visual Arts Cooperative member?
Visual Arts Cooperative Membership Expectations
Artists may choose a full or half-time membership. Full-time members are expected to show work 11 months out of the year and half-time members should show 5-6 months out of the year. January is the only month that new work is not installed.
Currently, the membership fee for a full-time artist is $215 and half-time is $100. These prices include Arts Council memberships.
The expectation is for artists to become working artists, meaning new artwork must be shown each month and it must be for sale.
Each artist exhibits one “large” piece each month. This includes hanging or pedestal artwork.
Artists are encouraged to create unlimited “art in miniature” or “minis”, with a size restriction of 8”x10“ and priced under $75. Artists must retrieve any minis that haven’t sold in a three month time period.
Matted and backed minis are a new addition to the VAC! These minis must be matted to fit a standard size frame, have adequate backing, and be protected with a clear sleeve. These pieces must also be retrieved after three months.
Each artist has the opportunity to show multiple works in the gallery window. New artists are featured in the window each month.
The Arts Council keeps a 20% commission on all sales.
Applying to Become a Visual Arts Cooperative Artist
The Visual Arts Cooperative’s fiscal year begins in July. The easiest time to apply for the cooperative is in May and June of each year with the expectation to start showing in July. You may apply at any other time during the year, however, depending on the size of the cooperative you may have to be reconsidered at the beginning of the fiscal year.
Please fill out the application by clicking the “Apply Today” button on this page.
Provide six images of your current works. If applicable, showcase professional framing in at least one of the photos. Carefully choose your strongest works, as the panel will only review the images provided in the application.
While a resume and artist statement are optional on the form, they are strongly encouraged.
Ensure that your contact information is spelled correctly, as the VAC Chair, Brian Alworth, will contact you via email. Please check your spam folder regularly!
You will be contacted with the status of your application within 4-6 weeks after submission. Please remember that the VAC meets once a month and needs adequate time to review your application before contacting you.
If you do not get selected to be in the Visual Arts Cooperative, the panel often provides you with feedback. Use this feedback to grow! You may submit another application in the next fiscal year for membership consideration.
Questions?
VAC members would love to speak to you during our opening receptions on every First Friday of the month from 5:00 PM-8:00 PM at the Arts Council!
You are also encouraged to stop by and talk to the Assistant Director, Lauren Bishop.