To enhance the quality of life within the community by elevating the stature of visual art and educating the public to its significance.
Upstate Visual Arts began officially in 1991, when a small group of area business and cultural leaders resolved to serve both area artists and the community by celebrating the vast talent of local artists. UVA now exists as a thriving non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization, almost 500 members strong.
UVA promotes its artists through excellent exhibitions such as Art in the Park (September), the Claude E. Smith Jr. Juried Show (previously named Small Works Show) (April), and the Holiday Gallery (November/December). Along with these large exhibitions, UVA artists may also participate in smaller rotating exhibits such as the exhibits in the UVA Gallery, The Commerce Club & Art in the Market.
To meet the educational needs of members and non-members of all ages, the UVA School of Art offers classes in a variety of media on a seasonal basis. Classes are taught by professional artists at 701 Pendleton Street, Greenville, SC. Periodically, workshops are offered featuring nationally recognized visiting instructors. In 2004, UVA launched its monthly Artists' Hour discussion forums with guest speakers.
Besides its usual exhibitions and educational programs, UVA teams up each year with the Alzheimer's Association to produce a fundraiser consisting of silent and live auctions, a formal dinner, live music, and dancing. This event, called “An Affair to Remember,” benefits both UVA as well as Greenville's Respite Care Program, created by the Greenville Chapter of the Alzheimer's Association to alleviate the stress on caregivers of Alzheimer's patients.
In addition, UVA is planning a photography exchange between Greenville and one of its Sister Cities, Kortrijk, Belgium. This photography exchange, called “Trading Faces,” is open to all Greenville area photographers. The Greenville exhibit is slated to appear in Belgium in the spring of 2006. A joint show with photography from Belgium and Greenville is planned for the following summer.
A major UVA goal is to create a permanent exhibition facility with studio space for practicing artists. This facility would enable the public to enjoy visual arts educational activities and exhibitions on a regular basis. UVA hopes to see this goal accomplished within the space of 3-5 years.
Anyone interested in the visual arts is welcome to join for a yearly membership fee of . UVA members include, but are not limited to, art lovers, collectors, students, professional galleries and working artists from the upstate and beyond.