The Tobacco Valley Artists Association (TVAA) is an organization of professional and amateur artists and patrons of the arts who reside in Western MA and Northern CT.

The mission of the TVAA is to promote interest in creative art forms, educate, enlighten, and entertain artists and art lovers in the communities we serve.  We accomplish this through art demonstrations at our meetings, through public exhibitions, member shows, sponsored workshops, and working with other organizations, businesses, and institutions in the area.  We have served our members needs since 1964.

Our meetings are held monthly, September through June, on the 3rd Wednesday of each month, at the Somers Senior Center, 19 Battle Street, Somers, CT.  Meeting begin at 7:00PM with a brief business session, refreshments, and an art demonstrator each month.  Video equipment is used to project close up views of the demo to everyone in the room.  We have enjoyed presentations by such renowned artists as Tom Lynch, Charlto Plummer, Jack Flynn, Joan Rudman, Helen Van Wyck, Al Stine, Frank Federico, Paul Leveille, Susan Pecora, Sandra Saitto, Peter Barnet, and many more.

We offer to Member shows yearly, in the Spring and Fall.  These are open to Regular members, and feature work in a variety of media.  A small entry fee allows us to offer cash awards and ribbons to winners in several categories.  These are selected by independent judges.  The shows are typically hung in local libraries.  Recent shows have been in Simsbury, Enfield, Suffield, Chicopee, and South Windsor.  Each show includes an Artists' Reception and presentation of awards.  These events are open to the public.

Our newsletter is publish bi-monthly and mailed or e-mailed to all members.  It serves as a great way to share information with members about area shows, exhibits, and other activities.  We maintain a large collection of "How-To" art instruction videos, and several books which are available on loan to members without charge.  We also enjoy the support of many area art supply dealers, who often offer discounts to TVAA members.

Recent activities include bus trips to museums in New York City, Boston, New Haven and New Britain.  We have a Painting Club which meets weekly on Monday mornings.  Periodically, there are plein aire painting field trips open to members.  We run an Annual Fine Arts Show & Sale in Suffield, offering an opportunity for members and other area artists to sell their work in their own booth.  Members may choose to display artwork in the TVAA booth.  Mini workshops are offered monthly on Friday mornings, at the Somers Senior Center.

With over 150 members, you're sure to find others who work in your medium.  Members may be beginners or accomplished artists.  You'll find that we're all willing to share information about techniques, materials, suppliers, workshops, shows, and other resources.

You're welcome to attend a meeting as a guest.  You will not be pressured to join.  Should you decide to become a member, you will find our dues are very reasonable, at $20 per year.  We also offer an Associate Membership for non-artists, at $10 per year.

Shouldn't you join us?  Download the TVAA Membership Application form.

For more information, contact Fran Milliken, president at 860-668-7282 or email here.

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