The Rutherford County Visual Artists Guild ("The Guild") is dedicated to promoting and enhancing opportunities for visual artists in Rutherford County and surrounding areas. Membership in The Guild is open to anyone interested in being part of our mission of sharing the love, appreciation, and fervor for art with our local community. There are a number of ways to participate:

Displaying Artist Membership

Displaying Artists are the public face of The Guild. After a successful initial Jury evaluation, you are invited to offer a selection of your artwork for display and sale in the Visual Arts Center. Benefits available to all Displaying Artists include:

Special Show Opportunities: Participate in exclusive exhibitions and events.
Online Exposure: Feature your artist profile and work on our website and social media platforms.
Community Engagement: Collaborate with local businesses to display your artwork.
Member Events: Attend special gatherings, forging connections within the artist community.
Exclusive Invitations: Participate in invitation-only events designed exclusively for our artist community.
Business Card Display: Showcase your business cards in our gallery, gaining additional visibility.
Discounts on Classes & Workshops: Enjoy significant discounts on our classes and workshops.
Teaching Opportunities: Share your expertise by teaching classes.
Access to Our Arts Library: Explore a wealth of creative resources in our arts library.

We offer two types of Displaying Artist memberships, tailored to accommodate different levels of involvement:

Displaying Artist (Co-op)

As a Co-op member, your volunteer involvement is integral to our artistic community, and your dedication enriches our creative endeavors. In return for your volunteer commitment, here's what you gain in addition to the benefits available to all Displaying Artists :

Year-round Gallery Presence: Exhibit your art throughout the year, receiving a generous 70% commission on the sale of your creations.
Gallery Showcase: Enjoy the opportunity to be prominently featured in the gallery window at no cost one month each calendar year on a space-available basis.

Displaying Artist (Consignment)

If you're passionate about art but cannot commit volunteer time, our Consignment Membership offers all the standard benefits of Displaying Artist membership, with the following additional benefits:

Year-round Gallery Presence: Exhibit your art throughout the year, receiving a 60% commission on the sale of your creations.
Gallery Showcase: Enjoy the opportunity to be prominently featured in the gallery window at a cost of $25 for a calendar month on a space-available basis.

Non-Displaying Member

If you're not an exhibiting artist but are passionate about the arts, our Non-Displaying Membership is your gateway to artistic experiences:

Connect with the Community: Attend special member events and become part of our artist community.
Exclusive Invitations: Join our artist community for invitation-only events.
Class and Workshop Discounts: Benefit from discounts on our classes and workshops.
Teaching Opportunities: Explore the chance to share your knowledge by teaching classes.
Access to Our Arts Library: Dive into a treasure trove of creative resources in our arts library.

Academic Student

If you are a full time student in an academic institution and want to further your interest in the visual arts, you are invited and encouraged to join The Guild at a discounted membership rate. If interested, you may offer a selection of your artwork for display and sale in the Visual Arts Center after successful Jury evaluation. (Note that parental permission is required to exhibit and sell art if you are under the age of 18.) Our Academic Student membership offers benefits tailored to accommodate full time students:

Become Part of the Community: Attend special member events and interact with our artist community.
Special Show Opportunities: Upon invitation, participate in selected exhibitions and events.
Year-round Gallery Presence: Exhibit your juried art throughout the year, receiving a 60% commission on the sale of your creations.
Discounts on Classes & Workshops: Enjoy significant discounts on our classes and workshops.
Access to Our Arts Library: Broaden your arts exposure by exploring the wealth of creative resources in our arts library.

Patron of the Arts

Elevate your support for the arts by becoming a Patron of the Arts, enjoying all the benefits of a Co-op Member, plus:

Recognition and Acknowledgement: Acknowledgement of your generous support of The Guild on our website and in our membership newsletter (with your explicit permission).
Exclusive Invitations: Participate in invitation-only events designed exclusively for our artist community at no charge.
Class and Workshop Discounts: Benefit from Patron-only discounts on our classes and workshops.

Join The Guild