ALL ABOUT OLATHE VISUAL ARTISTS

WELCOME to Olathe Visual Artists (OVA)

The Olathe Visual Artists is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting art and building an artist community in Olathe.

History

The Olathe Visual Artists is a 501C3 & non-profit/Charity, we are a volunteer operated organization dedicated to promoting and supporting local artists and building the Art community in Olathe. The oral history of the Olathe Visual Artists tells us that the organization was formed in 1945 as the Olathe Women’s Art League, which later evolved into the Olathe Artists’ Council. In 1978 the Artists’ Council split into five distinct organizations, Olathe Community Theatre Association, OlatheCivic Band, Olathe Community Orchestra, Olathe Community Chorus and OlatheVisual Artists. Norma Silvers became the first president of the OlatheArts Council when it was officially founded in 1978. In 1987, OAC President Deborah Volkland united theOlathe Theatre, Band, Orchestra, Chorus and Visual Artists under one umbrellato form the Olathe Arts Alliance. In1993, presided over by Don Dane, we became known as the Olathe Visual Artists,Inc. as a non-profit organization, the group was funded in part by membership fees, by money from the Olathe ArtsAlliance, and by the Public Arts and Cultural Commission. At the time that Olathe Visual Artists was established, the mission was to expand the enjoyment of the visual arts within the community while encouraging local artists. In 2020 Olathe Visual Artists received a charity status and is now a non-profit /charity organization dedicated to promoting visual art and building the arts community in Olathe. Demonstrating how art is part of everyday life and enhances daily life guides all of our activities. Our goal is to unify our community through art; to make art accessible through classes, workshops and events open to the public; to make scholarships and internships available to high school students; to provide exhibition and sales opportunities for producing artists; and to facilitate collaboration with other visual artists.

Olathe Visual Artists looks towards the future by offering internships and awarding scholarships to college bound high school students who plan on majoring in the arts, engineering, or architecture.Olathe Visual Artists also sponsors community art fairs, workshops, art exhibitions, contests, and free or affordable art classes for adults andchildren. All of Olathe Visual Artists’ meetings and classes are held at theFirst Art Gallery of Olathe.

In 2018 and 2019 Olathe Visual Artists Inc. successfully sponsored a large community art fair, the “Olathe Station ArtFair”, referencing the unifying spirit of the historical Strang Line trolley system which connected downtown Kansas City to then-rural Olathe and points south. Each two-day fair featured more than 65 regional artists showing and selling their work and live musical performances by local musicians. These free to the public events drew participants and visitors from the entire community and the Kansas City metropolitan area.

Olathe Visual Artists offers opportunities to show and sell artwork by local artists.

Through an agreement with the First Art Gallery of Olathe, members may participate twice a year in the Olathe Visual Artists exhibition and sell artwork. The exhibition includes an art reception open to the public that features live music and refreshments. The Olathe Visual Artists provides aMarket Place inside the First Art gallery of Olathe where members are able to display and sell artwork year round for a fee. We offer local artists opportunities to improve their skills through our free monthly workshops. We show art-inspired movies for free on a monthly basis that give our members a chance to discuss the movie while socializing with other artists. These are held at the First Art Gallery of Olathe.

In 2023 Olathe Visual Artists hosted a variety of art contests including an annual Fall Plein Air painting event to coincide with the Olathe Art Festival. Olathe Visual Artists members are able to show and sell their artwork at no charge in a tent provided by the City of Olathe in return for our assistance at the Olathe Art Festival.

MEMBERSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE.

As a member enjoy are all these perks for being part of our organization.

The First Art Gallery of Olathe has partnered with us as a venue site for many of our activities.

* FREE WORKSHOPS:

Monthly art inspired workshops are led by local artists. They are normally held the 4rd Saturday of each month from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the First Art Gallery of Olathe. Just reserve your spot by email: firstgalleryolathe@gmail.com or call 913-490-3724.

* FREE MOVIES:

Monthly art inspired movies held at the First Art Gallery. It is usually a Matinee, but we are hoping to add an evening event. Just reserve your spot by email: firstgalleryolathe@gmail.com or call 913-490-3724.

* BI-ANNUAL ART RECEPTION for OVA MEMBERS:

There will be an Art Reception held on the First Saturdays in July and December. The receptions include live music, and refreshments. Please invite all your friends and family to come see your work on display. There is only a 20% commission on all sales during the months of July and December.

*OVA MARKETPLACE:

Just for OVA members to sell their art without having to join the Gallery.

Three to five items can be displayed with labels that include a description of the media, title, and prices. There is an addition membership fee of $50. annually to be in the marketplace. 20% commission on all sales and gallery display guidelines apply.