About WAC

Willamette Art Center: A Place to Learn and Grow in the Arts

The Willamette Art Center is Salem’s only community art center for hands-on activities in art, with a primary focus on ceramics. The Willamette Art Center’s programming, services, and activities revolve around three main areas: art education and promotion, art opportunity and the betterment of the community through art. These services and activities are accomplished by offering exciting classes, workshops, studio workspace for the independent artist, Family Clay Sundays, Artists in Classrooms and the Empty Bowls sale to benefit Marion Polk Food Share.

Mission

Willamette Art Center’s mission is to maintain a sustainable and welcoming community for lifelong learning and exploration of the arts.

The mission statement communicates the WAC’s purpose.

• “Welcoming” tells the world what we do and strive to cultivate – a safe space where artists can create in a community setting.
• “Sustainable” indicates that the board and staff will make decisions that ensure that the WAC remains financially stable by wisely managing resources and seeking additional funding to keep programs affordable.

Outreach

WAC’s programming is focused on access to the arts, promoting the arts, and improving the community.

• WAC classes and workshops (scholarships available)
• Family Clay Sunday (minimal pricing to encourage community use)
• Studio availability
• Artist in Residence programs in the schools
• School field trips
• Empty Bowls event which benefits Marion Polk Food Share

Classes

We offer art classes, events, and fun for all ages at the WAC…

• Take an art class
• Make ceramics
• Throw a birthday party
• Paint your own pottery
• Try Raku Firing
• Enjoy a project at Family Clay Sunday with your kids
• Make some art, with daily or monthly passes
• Host a employee appreciation event or or Club “Arty Party”
• Celebrate graduations and anniversaries

We’re always looking for members, students, and donors. If you love hands-on art and would like to see Salem continue its long tradition of offering quality art classes to one and all, then come on over and see what we’re all about. Have some fun at the WAC!

Meetings

Meetings are necessary for the smooth operations of the WAC. Our board meetings are generally open to the public and we have at least one membership meeting each year. The board meeting is usually held during the second week of the month. Meeting times vary, so please check our board calendar to verify the specific day and time. You can view past meeting minutes here.

Nonprofit Organization

The Friends of the Visual Arts, dba The Willamette Art Center, is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization (Federal Tax ID# 20-3892277) and a member of the Oregon Cultural Trust.