History
Recognizing the need for more cultural activities in Suffolk, a small but dedicated group of art appreciators formed the Suffolk Art League in 1976. Members initially worked with staff from the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts who provided valuable information on best practices for starting and running local arts organizations and institutions. During the early years, events and exhibits were held in a variety of places including bank lobbies, public buildings, schools, and private homes. SAL soon became an affiliate of the Virginia Museum of Fine Arts which increased the types and quality of the programs offered.
From 1979-1984, SAL worked out of Riddick’s Folly, an historic house museum, which was serving as Suffolk’s community cultural center. When that building closed for major renovation, SAL again used a variety of venues for programming and events.
In 1985, upon hearing that the Morgan Memorial Library would be moving from its Bosley Ave. location to a larger facility, members of the art league's Board of Directors approached the Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Affairs about creating an art museum in the former library building with the understanding that SAL would support the museum with a variety of programs including classes, lectures, and exhibitions. The Suffolk Museum (now Suffolk Art Gallery), which is owned and operated by the City of Suffolk, opened in the Fall of 1986 with the Suffolk Art League’s Annual Juried Exhibition. SAL has a permanent office at the Suffolk Art Gallery and continues to provide exhibitions, workshops and classes, lectures, and other programs. We also provide staff and volunteers for both art league and gallery activities.
The Suffolk Art League offers a variety of visual arts workshops and classes at the Suffolk Art Gallery, in Suffolk’s schools (including all of the Public Schools & Nansemond-Suffolk Academy), and in the community. We have presented workshops for the Western Tidewater Community Services Board’s Tidewater House (adult daycare), the Boys & Girls Club, Suffolk, at the North Suffolk Library, and at community events such as the Farmer’s Market and Taste of Suffolk. We offer the Melissa Darden Odom Speaker Series that is held at the Gallery and Lake Prince Woods (retirement community). Exhibitions are primarily held at the Gallery. Annually four exhibits are sponsored by SAL and at least one per year in partnership with the Gallery. One of these exhibits, "The Exhibit of Excellence: Suffolk Student Art," features Suffolk high school students’ artwork while the Annual Juried Exhibition offer cash awards to adult artists. We also partner with the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts to present programming such as the Plein Air Festival and gallery exhibitions. Other community partnerships provide us the opportunity to create public art and bring the arts into the community.
In 1987, using a Virginia Commission for the Arts Salary Assistance grant, a part-time Administrative Assistant was hired (now Executive Director). SAL implemented an Annual Fund campaign in 2014. With this additional funding, we were able to hire a part-time Education Coordinator in July 2015. This has allowed us to expand our programming to include venues in the northern Suffolk area such as the North Suffolk Library and other locations in Suffolk such as Lake Prince Woods, retirement community, and the Boys & Girls Club, Suffolk (J.F. Kennedy Middle School). In July 2021, a part-time Marketing and Technology Coordinator was hired to assist with online communications and videos, marketing and other communications.
In addition to the Annual Fund, Suffolk Art League is supported by a variety of funding streams. The last full weekend of February brings our only major fundraising event, the Antiques Show and Sale. Currently held at Kings Fork Middle School, the Antiques Show features approximately 40 antiques, collectible, and vintage dealers along with a variety of vendors. SAL is a membership organization. Membership is open to anyone interested in supporting our mission of making the arts accessible and providing education in the Arts. Additionally, the art league receives grant funding from government, foundation, and private granting agencies. We also receive memorial donations, donations for specific programs such as the speaker series and exhibit awards. In-kind gifts provide such things as venues for programming, housing for speakers and visiting artist, and art materials.
From 1979-1984, SAL worked out of Riddick’s Folly, an historic house museum, which was serving as Suffolk’s community cultural center. When that building closed for major renovation, SAL again used a variety of venues for programming and events.
In 1985, upon hearing that the Morgan Memorial Library would be moving from its Bosley Ave. location to a larger facility, members of the art league's Board of Directors approached the Director of Parks, Recreation and Community Affairs about creating an art museum in the former library building with the understanding that SAL would support the museum with a variety of programs including classes, lectures, and exhibitions. The Suffolk Museum (now Suffolk Art Gallery), which is owned and operated by the City of Suffolk, opened in the Fall of 1986 with the Suffolk Art League’s Annual Juried Exhibition. SAL has a permanent office at the Suffolk Art Gallery and continues to provide exhibitions, workshops and classes, lectures, and other programs. We also provide staff and volunteers for both art league and gallery activities.
The Suffolk Art League offers a variety of visual arts workshops and classes at the Suffolk Art Gallery, in Suffolk’s schools (including all of the Public Schools & Nansemond-Suffolk Academy), and in the community. We have presented workshops for the Western Tidewater Community Services Board’s Tidewater House (adult daycare), the Boys & Girls Club, Suffolk, at the North Suffolk Library, and at community events such as the Farmer’s Market and Taste of Suffolk. We offer the Melissa Darden Odom Speaker Series that is held at the Gallery and Lake Prince Woods (retirement community). Exhibitions are primarily held at the Gallery. Annually four exhibits are sponsored by SAL and at least one per year in partnership with the Gallery. One of these exhibits, "The Exhibit of Excellence: Suffolk Student Art," features Suffolk high school students’ artwork while the Annual Juried Exhibition offer cash awards to adult artists. We also partner with the Suffolk Center for Cultural Arts to present programming such as the Plein Air Festival and gallery exhibitions. Other community partnerships provide us the opportunity to create public art and bring the arts into the community.
In 1987, using a Virginia Commission for the Arts Salary Assistance grant, a part-time Administrative Assistant was hired (now Executive Director). SAL implemented an Annual Fund campaign in 2014. With this additional funding, we were able to hire a part-time Education Coordinator in July 2015. This has allowed us to expand our programming to include venues in the northern Suffolk area such as the North Suffolk Library and other locations in Suffolk such as Lake Prince Woods, retirement community, and the Boys & Girls Club, Suffolk (J.F. Kennedy Middle School). In July 2021, a part-time Marketing and Technology Coordinator was hired to assist with online communications and videos, marketing and other communications.
In addition to the Annual Fund, Suffolk Art League is supported by a variety of funding streams. The last full weekend of February brings our only major fundraising event, the Antiques Show and Sale. Currently held at Kings Fork Middle School, the Antiques Show features approximately 40 antiques, collectible, and vintage dealers along with a variety of vendors. SAL is a membership organization. Membership is open to anyone interested in supporting our mission of making the arts accessible and providing education in the Arts. Additionally, the art league receives grant funding from government, foundation, and private granting agencies. We also receive memorial donations, donations for specific programs such as the speaker series and exhibit awards. In-kind gifts provide such things as venues for programming, housing for speakers and visiting artist, and art materials.