AVA Community Art Center

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Gillette, WY
AVA Community Art Center

AVA Community Art Center in Gillette, WY is a visual arts gallery open to the public.
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AVA hosts art programs and workshops, community events, monthly exhibitions featuring Wyoming and regional artists, and a professional ceramics studio. The Advocacy for Visual Arts (AVA) is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating the bridge between the Visual Arts and our community in Campbell County and Northeast Wyoming. AVA Community Art Center was formally organized in 1998 by a group

of local citizens and artists dedicated to promoting the visual arts. In 1998, AVA moved into Campbell County’s former Wyoming Department of Transportation building. With help from the city of Gillette, grants, fundraising activities, donations from community members, and countless volunteer hours, the facility was completely renovated in 2003. Since opening our doors in January of 2003, AVA has become a vital and integral part of Northeastern Wyoming’s creative community and is one of the area’s leading choices for art education, expression, and resources.

06/04/2026

🌞 JUNE EXHIBITIONS NOW OPEN 🌞

Artist Reception is FRIDAY JUNE 26th | 6-8pm

Welcome our two exhibitions this month:

SELF / FIRE & LIGHT JANNA CARTER MFA

On display till June 31st

05/28/2026

✨ Sending out a major THANK YOU to local artist instructor Sandi Aberle, Wyoming Arts Council, & Campbell County Public Library for completing another fantastic Creative Aging Session at AVA this spring! ✨

😍 Join us at AVA tonight, Thursday May 28th from 5-6pm, for a public Artists' Reception celebrating the artists and works they produced throughout the program!

👉 Reception: Tonight, Thursday May 28th from 5-6pm
👣 Location: AVA Community Art Center, 509 West 2nd Street, Gillette WY

🎨 Creative Aging Programs:

10 community members met with Sandi over the last 6-weeks to explore the process of Acrylic Painting, including the foundations of art & design, material handling, and many tips and tricks to make their painting experiences fun and successful!

Each year, Wyoming Arts Council approves applications all over the state for organizations and artists to continue The Creative Aging Project, with the funds available for the development and delivery of arts programs that serve older adults (ages 55+) in Wyoming communities. These programs promote social connection, lifelong learning, and creative expression through sequential, skills-based arts instruction.

💗 Thank you to Sandi and the folks at Campbell Co. Public Library and Wyoming Arts Council for delivering impactful art programs to residents in Campbell County - your generous contributions to our region make our community vibrant and healthy!

05/26/2026

📢 Calling All Artists – The MINI Art Matters is back! 📢

AVA’s Mini Art Matters Auction returns during our Summer Bash on August 21st, 2026, and we want YOU to be part of it!

Create a one-of-a-kind work of art on your very own mini canvas provided by AVA. Whether you’re a painter, sculptor, or mixed media maker, all 2D and 3D original works are welcome!

🖼 Canvases are now available for pick-up at AVA (509 W. 2nd Street, Gillette)
✔ One canvas per artist — available on a first-come, first-served basis
⏳ Submission deadline: July 31, 2026 by 5:00 PM
👉 Auction begins August 11 | Final bids close during the Summer Bash on August 21

Proceeds from the auction directly support regional artists as well as AVA’s year-round programming — so your MINI makes a BIG impact!

Interested in participating? Stop by AVA or call 307-682-9133 for details.

05/15/2026

What’s happens at members night?

- life drawing
-more clay time
- a moment for those getting off after we usually close
- studio mate accountability on projects your trying to get completed
- more time to experiment with new mediums

05/12/2026

✨AVA will be closed to the public on Friday, May 15th at 3pm & Saturday, May 16th at 1pm for private events✨

Help us in congratulating the 2026 Graduating Seniors of Campbell Co. School District!👩‍🎓👨‍🎓

05/05/2026

Seapods: Featured Exhibition by Edie Reno

🪼🌊

“The glasswork in this collection symbolizes the water of the San Juan Islands and the life forces they support like plant seed pods and fish egg sacks.

Glass captures the play of light on the bays of San Juan. Glass is Rahman Anderson’s first language. His Venetian Goblets were partially responsible for my inspiration of light and glass pods. His techniques brought my drawings to life and our back and forth discussions netted these pieces.

Seed pods have been an interest of mine because of their vessel like form. This collection springs from my early steel sculptures of Indigenous Wyoming seed pods, leaves and other fauna.

My thank you to Rahman and Studio 45 Glass on Lopez Island, WA for interpreting my drawings into a cohesive glass collection." - Edie Reno

Join AVA for an evening celebrating featured artist Edie Reno's "Seapods", an exploration of color, light and organic shape brought to life through blown glass sculpture.

Reception Date: Thursday, May 14th | 6:00–8:00 PM
Exhibition on View: Through May 30th
Location: AVA Community Art Center, Gillette, WY
Free & open to the public

05/04/2026

✨VOTE NOW for local Gillette Artist and graduating TBHS Senior Fern Birdsbill✨

👉 https://peoplesartist.org/2026/fern-birdsbill-3HDT

Your vote could help Fern appear in Artforum Magazine, take home $25,000, and display their work at The Art of Elysium's Salon!

As Fern writes, "I take most of my inspiration from the relationships folks form with each other, and the relationships we have with ourselves. Character relationships are the most interesting part of any story, arguably the most important, and really the thing that viewers fall in love with when they watch. Whatever I’m experiencing in my social life at any given time I can promise that echos of it will be found in my work.

The grant money would go towards my education attending Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design. Right now I am short on funds and even with personal loans I will only be able to realistically attend for a year or two. This grant would be a stepping stone to a four year degree. With financial stress off my plate I know I would be better equipped to make the absolute best out of my time at University."

Help us support this young artist and vote today!💗

05/01/2026

Another day, another glaze💭💭

Our potters have been hard at work in the clay studio, and we are forever fortunate for another great kiln unload! Check out the color on this batch of wares 👀

P.S. - Make sure and visit Local Color Spring Art Show this weekend to see the annual exhibition featuring the best art, made by our outstanding regional artists! Details below:

904 Clarion Drive
Gillette, WY

Artist Reception
Friday, May 1st | 6–9 PM
Meet the artists, enjoy the full collection, and be part of the vibrant opening night energy.

If you prefer a quieter viewing experience, you’re invited to visit during open hours:
Saturday & Sunday, May 2nd–3rd | 11 AM–6 PM
A perfect time to stroll through the house and see all the art at your own pace.

04/22/2026

IT IS THAT TIME!!!

Our clay drying racks are getting super crowded with unclaimed projects, so if you have made a clay project at AVA sometime in the last 5 years - we still have it and need you to come claim it

Address

509 W 2nd Street
Gillette, WY
82716

Telephone

(307) 682-9133

Website

http://www.avacenter.org/

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