Valley Art Gallery

The history of Valley Art goes back 60 years. Through the years, we have brought local art from emerging and established artists to the community. The endeavor began in September of 1949, when the first outdoor art show was held in Walnut Creek City Park in conjunction with the Walnut Festival. The show was artistically very successful and featured paintings, weavings, sculptures, and music. However, the organization showed a large deficit for several years. In 1952 the original organizers each gave a substantial contribution of $100 and changed the name from "Outdoor Art Show Inc and Artists Market and Gallery" to "Valley Art Center." In 1955 Valley Art moved to Lafayette and started a rental art gallery where paintings by local artists were available for sale and for rent. They also sponsored visual art classes for adults and children as well as dance classes. During this time plans were made to establish a permanent art center in Walnut Creek and Valley Art was invited to become a part of it. In 1963 Walnut Creek's first commitment to art was the clay arts program. Valley Art established a rental art gallery sponsored art classes next to the clay arts building. In 1965 Valley Art's art classes were turned over to the Walnut Creek Civic Arts program. In 1967 the city of Walnut Creek converted a large nut processing plant, "The Nut House" into the Civic Arts Center and invited Valley Art Gallery to be a part of the Center. For 20 years the Civic Arts Center was home to Valley Art Gallery as well as the Civic Arts Gallery and Theater until it was torn down in 1987. At that time Valley Art moved to its present location on Botelho Drive in Walnut Creek. Since 1987 Valley Art has continued with its original mission of bringing good local art to the community. The rental program offers the community an enjoyable and affordable way to experience a wide variety of original artwork in the home and office before one decides to make a purchase. Fine crafts and jewelry are also an important part of what the gallery offers to the community, and for the last 34 years Valley Art has sponsored an annual Holiday Craft Sale. The gallery also continues its educational commitment by contributing cash awards to supplement the art programs of local schools.