MISSION
The Wyly Community Art Center fosters creative expression through the visual arts for learners of all ages and abilities.
WHAT WE DO
The Wyly Community Art Center is a place that enriches the lives of our diverse community through the visual arts. From an exciting variety of registration classes for the public to creating community connections and events to working with special needs students, we aspire to fuel creativity, inspire and contribute to the vitality of Roaring Fork Valley and beyond. The art center partners with other non-profit organizations by creating specially designed programs to meet their clients’ needs. We work with teachers and local schools to supplement in-the-classroom arts education, and provide a wide variety of opportunities for volunteers who help with classes and general art center operational support. We create, host, partner and engage knowing that building relationships build community.
CHILDREN’S PROGRAMS
The Wyly provides children of all ages with afterschool art clubs and summer art camps, young artists studio intensives and mentorships for middle and high school students, and student exhibitions.
ADULT PROGRAMS
Adults enjoy weekend and weeklong workshops in watercolor, acrylic, encaustic, collage, drawing and more. All abilities are encouraged, no experience is required!
PARTNER PROGRAMS
The Wyly works with 25 nonprofit partners to provide special programs for young writers, sister city students, bi-lingual students, developmentally disabled adults, teens in addiction recovery, teen parents, and at-risk youth.
VISITING ARTISTS IN THE SCHOOLS
To supplement the arts in local schools, the Wyly provides professional artists to lead special art initiatives in the schools. In 2012, the Wyly led the “Garden Mural” project at Basalt Elementary School with two professional muralists who worked with over 600 elementary students to create three murals now permanently installed at the school.
COMMUNITY ART EVENTS
Free art programs reach out to all community members. Events include Art Talks with area and visiting artists, “Where the Sidewalk Ends” sidewalk chalk art, holiday ornament and cookie decorating in coordination with the Basalt tree lighting, silk screening cloth shopping bags at the Basalt Farmers Market, and the Wyly Halloween “Artful Pumpkin Parade.”
ART EXHIBITIONS
Outstanding local art is always on exhibition at the Wyly. Solo and group shows feature professional artists including Sarah Peterson, Bayard Hollins, Isa Catto, Betty Weiss, Martha Drake, Brian Colley, Sunni McBride, Colleen Clare-Irvin and more. Student shows feature the work of Wyly middle and high school art students.
HISTORY
Founded in 1996 by Deborah Jones, the Wyly Community Art Center began as a project of Compass, a Colorado 501(c)(3) non-profit organization committed to experiential learning and educational excellence. The generous donation of Charles and Dee Wyly and the Communities Foundation of Texas provided for the construction of the original building and established our namesake. For nine years, the art center served the Roaring Fork Valley from its Woody Creek location providing visual arts programs for students, emerging artists, professional artists, and volunteers. The Wyly is indebted to George Stranahan and the Compass staff for their support during the art center’s formative years before launching into the larger community.
In February of 2004, the Wyly Community Art Center established our Board of Directors and incorporated. In February of 2005 we received 501(c)(3) status, becoming a Colorado non-profit organization. In an effort to further expand and reach a larger, more diverse audience the art center moved to downtown Basalt, Colorado, a thriving community centralized in the Roaring Fork Valley between Aspen and Glenwood Springs. The relocation of the art center was made possible by our Wyly Stewards; Charles and Dee Wyly, Jr. through the Communities Foundation of Texas, Karen and Bayard Hollins of The Elizabeth Foundation, Thendara Foundation on behalf of Goss, Reed, and Schlumberger, Ann Nichols, Lynn Nichols and Jim Gilchrist Family, Chaffin-Light Associates, Maggie Woods, and Billy Weisman of the Soar Foundation. We opened our doors in Basalt on July 1, 2005. The past several years of expanded programming and active interface with the community have assured us that the relocation is realizing our dreams.
Nondiscrimination Policy
This policy states Wyly Community Art Center’s position on discrimination. This policy applies to all Wyly Community Art Center employees, volunteers, members, clients, students, teachers, and contractors.
Wyly Community Art Center follows an equal opportunity employment and enrollment policy. Personnel and students will be employed or enrolled without regard to race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender expression, age, height, weight, disability status, veteran status, military obligations, and marital status.
This policy also applies to internal promotions, training, tuition support, scholarships for students, opportunities for advancement, terminations, outside vendors, members and customers, service clients, use of contractors and consultants, and dealings with the general public.
GIFT INFORMATION
The Wyly relies on donations for 80% of our
programming. Support the visual arts and the vitality art brings to our community by making a gift to the Wyly Community Art Center today! Your gift in any amount makes a difference. The Wyly is a 501 (c) (3) nonprofit organization. Donations are deductible to the extent allowed by law.
Wyly National Council Members
contribute $1,000 or more annually.
Wyly Partners contribute $500 or more annually.
Wyly Friends contribute any amount up to
$499 annually.
Individual Memberships are $50/year,
Premier Memberships are $100/year.
Members receive 10% off Wyly classes.
You may spread your donation out over the year with automatic monthly credit card gifts. $100/month sponsors one children’s art class teacher. $50/month provides art supplies for a Wyly at-risk or under-served youth program. $25/month funds one
children’s scholarship.
Please make your gift online today at wylyarts.org or give us a call at 970-927-4123.