Incorporated in 1978 as 501 (c) (3) non-profit corporation in Pulaski, Virginia, the Center was initially located in the Fairview Home, which was a 1928 Alms House located across from Pulaski County High School.
In 1982 the Center moved to its present location, the former Cato's, a women's clothing store. Considered a prim example of Victorian commercial architecture, the brick two-story building was built in 1898 and is part of the Downtown Historic Landmark District. This honor was designated by the Virginia Historic Landmarks Commission.
The Fine Arts Center was created out of a need to augment the arts education offered in the school system and to provide a vehicle for the arts presentation to residents of the New River Vally. In its more than thirty years of operation, the Fine Arts Center has touched the lives of approximately 500,000 patrons by way of visits to the gallery, classes, performances, and special events. The Center has hosted a combination of 4,100 classes or programs (visual or performing arts) involving 15,000 artists.
The members and board of the Fine Arts Center for the New River Vally believe that art is important to the life of a community and nourishes human development. Our purpose is to foster and enjoyment, appreciation, and understanding of visual and performing art by the residents of the New River Vally and to encourage and support its artists. We carry out this mission through an annual educational program of rotating exhibits of art from both within and without the area, classes for adults and children, lectures, performances, and sales of related merchandise. We collect and maintain a permanent collection of the works of the New River Vally and Asian decorative arts.
Benefits of Membership:
The "Centerpiece", a newsletter and calender of events is mailed to all members. In addition, invitations to special events and art openings and notice of upcoming events are tendered. There are discounts to members for rental of facilities, classes, workshops, and purchases from our gift shop. Knowing that you are encouraging the arts in the New River Valley and making a positive impact on your community should be a source of pride. Contributions are tax deductible.
