About Us:

The Lakes and Valleys Art Guild is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) association dedicated to promoting visual art and artists in Green Valley, Leona Valley, Elizabeth Lake, Lake Hughes and the surrounding area.

Since the formation of LVAG in April of 2003, a substantial number of artists have come together for the purpose of promoting the visual arts. The guild currently has over 100 members, in a community with a total population of about 5000.

In January of 2005, LVAG opened its Art Center and Gallery in Lake Hughes. In addition to the ongoing exhibit of local artists, each month features either a solo show or themed group show. In June, the Guild sponsors an Art Walk in Green Valley at several locations. In July, art patrons are invited to the Open Studio Tour, with an opportunity to visit the working studios of many of the artists in the Lakes & Valleys area. The Guild's biggest fundraiser of the year is the Moulin Rouge Silent Art Auction & Social.

Hands-on classes and workshops are offered by member and guest artists at the Art Center. Regular children's art classes are given, and children's artwork is displayed on the gallery walls in the Young Artist Corner. LVAG founder and president, Todd Cooper, is Art Editor for the area's newspaper "The Mountain Yodeler" and writes a monthly Art Page, affording the community a source of information on local art related events, showcasing artists, providing basic art instruction and printing artwork by local children. Drawing lessons from the Art Page are regularly used by area elementary school teachers to offset the absence of art education in the state's curriculum.

Two scholarships are awarded each year to 8th grade students graduating Hughes-Elizabeth Lakes Union School, who have shown remarkable interest and potential in visual art among their peers.