Chester County Art Association (CCAA)

Organization overview founded in 1931, the Chester County Art Association (ccaa) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, inspiring, and connecting the people of Chester County to and through the arts. As a small non-profit arts center, our goal is to inspire creativity and creative thinking. We believe that Art positively impacts everyone; we help develop individual abilities, foster Art appreciation, and create a sense of artistic community. Fine arts classes and workshops teach fundamental concepts and advanced techniques. Our monthly Art exhibitions, lectures, and artist talks all provide learning opportunities and creative dialogue in welcoming spaces for all ages alike. Ccaa was founded by prominent artists and leaders in the Chester County community, including n.c. wyeth, christian brinton, and william palmer lear. The original group met weekly to draw together and plan exhibits. Often these exhibits included the works of andrew wyeth, horace pippin, tom bostelle, barclay rubincam, philip jamison, peter sculthorpe and harry dunn. While they were looking for a permanent space for the organization, members of ccaa met in the dehaven house in east fallowfield, pa, and spaces at west Chester university. The present main facility in west Chester was built in 1953. The generous gift of land from local residents, totaling over five acres, made it possible for ccaa to have a permanent home in the west Chester community. As a result of renovations completed in 2017, the organization was able to add a new darkroom and digital studio, a library, new office spaces, the shopart gift store, and upgrades to the ceramic studio and both gallery spaces. Mission Chester County Art Association (ccaa) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to educating, inspiring, and connecting the people of Chester County to and through the arts. Membership the Chester County Art Association is grateful for the support of our members throughout 2023. Our work towards fulfilling our mission would not be possible without our membership base. In 2023, membership dues were 30 for a student membership, 40 for a senior membership, 50 for an individual membership and 75 for a household membership. Benefits included the ability to participate in our january member show, october member show and 300 and under member show, as well as discounts on all classes and workshops held at ccaa. 2023 exhibitions january 2023 non-juried member show theresa groff "unabashed" february 2023 expressions & interpretations from 11 artist of color terrill john "resilient spirit of reflections of hue" march 2023 the philadelphia dumpster divers "still upcycling after all these years" trashy women april 2023 cciu high school show may 2023 view: experience the Art of the Chester County studio tour september 2023 Art sisters "ground breaking women" treasures from the collection of philip jamison october 2023 non- juried member show saurabh oza "symphonies of memory and place" november 2023 "landscapes of stroud preserve, the Art of preservation" by gregory blue and students pam mckee "eco dye watercolors" december 2023 300 and under 1st annual ccaa faculty/student exhibition year round Art instruction fee-based instruction is offered for all ages in oil painting, watercolor, acrylic, drawing, sculpture, ceramics, jewelry, photography, printmaking, mixed media, and much more. In 2023, 178 in-person classes and workshops ran safely between january 2023-december 2023. 802 individuals participated in these classes and workshops. Additionally, 114 open studio sessions were offered with 341 individuals participated in ccaa's open ceramics studio between january 2023-december 2023. 2023 summer camp the Chester County Art Association was thrilled to be able to once again offer our signature summer camp in 2023. With safety measures in place to ensure the health and well-being of our instructors and participants, we were able to have a fun and creative summer ccaa was able to offer 98 educational Art camp options for children and young adults aged 4-17. During the 11-week camp period, 791 children and young adults participated, many returning for multiple weeks. Christkindlmarkt ccaa's 4th annual christkindlmarkt took place on saturday, december 9, 2023 and sunday, december 10, 2023. This fun holiday market brought over 7000 visitors to ccaa and featured 75 + artist vendors.