The Cuyahoga Valley Art Center (CVAC), founded in 1934, is a non-profit visual art organization. They advocate for a greater understanding of the visual arts through the promotion of art education, exhibition, and community engagement. They are supported by memberships, grantors, women’s auxiliary, class registrations, art shows, and workshops.
Mission Statement
To foster an appreciation of visual art through education, exhibition, and community enrichment opportunities.
Vision Statement
Envisions a community where everyone has access to visual art opportunities.
Core Values
Commitment to the learning community of practicing artists: CVAC is committed to serving the learning community of practicing artists by providing diverse educational programs tailored to the unique needs of artists at all skill levels.
Commitment to visual art enrichment opportunities: CVAC is committed to serving the local community by creating pathways to accessible visual art.
Commitment to networking and learning opportunities: CVAC is committed to supporting networking and learning opportunities for the visual artist community.
A Culture of Creativity is Life at the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center
We strive to create an environment that reflects the communities we serve, where everyone feels included and valued. We are committed to building and nurturing a culture where inclusiveness is a reflex, not an initiative. We recognize that different ideas, perspectives, and backgrounds build a stronger more creative community.
Celebrating a culture of creativity is the life force that drives CVAC forward.
Executive Director, Danielle Dieterich
Danielle Dieterich is the Executive Director of the Cuyahoga Valley Art Center, a non-profit visual arts organization dedicated to advocating for a greater understanding of the visual arts through the promotion of art education, exhibition, and community engagement. Over the past 7 years, Dieterich has more than doubled CVAC’s membership, educational offerings, class sizes, and community footprint. Dieterich holds an MA in Arts Administration and a BFA in Studio Art both from the University of Akron. She currently serves on the Women’s Board of Akron Children’s Hospital and served on the former Volunteer Board of the Cleveland Orchestra where she managed the summer volunteers at Blossom for many years. Dieterich has been a member of TWIGS at Akron Children’s Hospital and CVAC’s Women’s Auxiliary for over 20 years. She recently celebrated her 24th consecutive year volunteering at the PGA’s Bridgestone Senior Players Championship.
Organization History
In 1934, a group of women came together and founded The Arts and Crafts Club. Their first painting classes were held on Cook Street in Cuyahoga Falls, taught by a Cleveland School of Art instructor Sonder Vago. They quickly outgrew this location and would continue to outgrow many others. With the entire country suffering from the Great Depression, art classes within the public school system were suspended. Recognizing the need for a community-oriented art center, supporters decided to alter the clubs’ focus. They met with representatives from the Falls Board of Trade and the Superintendent of the Falls School System to reorganize. In 1937, the name was changed to the Cuyahoga Falls Art Institute and their mission was to develop art appreciation within the community through classes and exhibitions for adults and children.
The M. O’Neil Company donated a piano and the Institute broadened its scope. Offering community classes in art, piano, voice, and dancing, the institute became a center for instruction, lectures, and social affairs. During the 1940’s the Institute relocated and changed its name several times however, its focus as being a community-oriented art center stayed the same. It was not until 1959 that the name Cuyahoga Valley Art Center (CVAC) was adopted.
CVAC was founded as a membership-driven organization, supported by its members and its Women’s Auxiliary, which was formed in 1960. Through the efforts of countless volunteers, CVAC supported their main objective; to promote an active interest in fine and applied art, and to develop and strengthen art appreciation by maintaining a center and meeting place where qualified instruction in the arts and related crafts will be available to all interested persons, and to conduct and participate in shows, exhibitions, and contests relating to art in all its media. CVAC purchased the building at 2131 Front Street in 1987 with aid from the Women’s Auxiliary. The building purchase gave the center a permanent home with 3000 square feet of the main gallery and much-needed classroom space and multiple levels.
It was not until 2016 that CVAC hired its first full-time Executive Director, Danielle Dieterich, and transitioned from being membership governed to a board-governed organization. CVAC now focuses exclusively on the visual arts, hosting upwards of 150 classes & workshops, and 7 annual exhibitions. For 89 years, CVAC has been the cultural destination within Cuyahoga Falls, OH. And they continue to advocate for a greater understanding of the visual arts through the promotion of art education, exhibition, and community engagement.
Extended Version:
On November 19, 1934, Mrs. Virginia Hudson Clarke, Ms Hallie Soleleather, Mrs. Arion Shaffer, Mrs. Joe Reager, and Mrs. N.G. Rongone founded The Arts and Crafts Club. At their original meeting place on Cook Street in Cuyahoga Falls, They held their first painting class. The instructor was Medford D. Nehr a student of noted Cleveland painter Sonder Vago. By the end of 1936, the group had outgrown the original Cook Street location. In March 1937 the club relocated to the Apollo Building on the corner of Front Street and Portage Trail. With the entire country suffering from the Great Depression, art classes in the Public School System were suspended. Recognizing the need for a community-oriented art center, supporters decided to alter the clubs’ focus.
With support from the Falls Board of Trade and through the efforts of Laura Vaughn, I. Schoner, and Gilbert Roberts, Superintendent of the Falls School System, they reorganized. The name was changed to the Cuyahoga Falls Art Institute and its mission was to develop art appreciation within the community through classes and exhibitions for adults and children. In February 1939, the institute relocated to the Plum Building on Portage Trail. The building was then owned by Mrs. H.M. Hagalbarger of Silver Lake, Ohio, and consisted of nine rooms. The first floor served as a gallery and workshop space while the second floor was subleased to defray expenses. The M. O’Neil Company donated a piano and the Institute broadened its scope. Offering community classes in art, piano, voice, and dancing, the institute became a center for instruction, lectures, and social affairs. During the 1940’s the Institute relocated and changed its name several times. The first move was to the Schoner Building at Front and Broad Boulevard where it operated as the Art and Study League. In 1945, the name was changed to the Falls Civic Art Center. In 1946, the center moved to N. Front Street and changed its name to The Falls Art Center.
In 1959 the name changed once more and the center moved to the second floor at 1886 Front Street. Thus was born today’s Cuyahoga Valley Art Center (CVAC), with a new identity and location Patsy Sigler, Joe Ferriot, Larry Quackenbush, Marc Moon, and other artists seized the opportunity to reorganize and reestablish the centers’ purpose and goals.
Membership Chairman Patsy Sigler led a successful drive for new members. After this, several individuals brought together by the effort organized the Women’s Auxiliary of the CVAC. Their purpose would be to help promote the activities of the art center, conduct fundraising projects, provide financial aid to the center, provide scholarships to talented students, and assist in membership drives. Patsy Sigler was elected as the first President.
For more than 59 years, The Women’s Auxiliary Board has provided essential support and assistance to the center. Through their efforts and those of countless volunteers, the staff has been able to focus on pursuing their main objectives; to promote an active interest in fine and applied art, to develop and strengthen art appreciation by maintaining a center and meeting place where qualified instruction in the arts and related crafts will be available to all interested persons, It was not until 2016 that CVAC hired its first full-time Executive Director, Danielle Dieterich, and transitioned from being membership governed to a board-governed organization. CVAC now focuses exclusively on the visual arts, hosting upwards of 150 classes & workshops, and 7 annual exhibitions. For 89 years, CVAC has been the cultural destination within Cuyahoga Falls, OH. And they continue to advocate for a greater understanding of the visual arts through the promotion of art education, exhibition, and community engagement.
2023/2024 Benefactors:
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The Sisler McFawn Foundation |
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