The Visual Arts Society of Texas (VAST), organized in 1975, is based in Denton, Texas, and functions as a non-profit, professional organization dedicated to supporting artists and art lovers.

Artists and community connecting to create and celebrate visual arts!

• increasing community appreciation for the visual arts,
• continued improvement of individual artistic expression, and
• offering fellowship with people of similar interests.

VAST coordinates a number of activities throughout the year to support the organizational mission statement and goals.

Everyone is welcome to attend the monthly meetings, which are held at 7:00 pm on the first Thursday of each month (September through May) at the Center for the Visual Arts in Denton.  Members attend free and guests are charged $3 per meeting.  Directions.

Monthly meetings feature an art demonstration/lecture given by artists of varying media.  Meetings also include an informal exhibit upon which the attendees vote to select the Artist of the Month. Calendar.

VAST members are encouraged to bring a piece of art to our monthly meetings for a member’s choice competition. We vote on our favorite pieces during the break. At the conclusion of the program, we name “Artist of the Month” to our first place winner, who receives a $25 gift certificate from Azel Art Supply redeemable at any of their locations. The second place winner receives a $15 gift certificate from Azel. The mini-show does not take place at the meeting when we have our High School Art Competition. At the May meeting, all “Artists of the Month” bring back their winning piece, and from these pieces, we vote and select our “Artist of the Year.”

In addition to the monthly meetings, other VAST activities include: annual gala, annual calendar competition, bi-annual workshops, monthly critique groups, regional/national juried exhibitions, open exhibitions, invitational exhibitions, mini-competitions and more!  VAST also sponsors an annual art competition for Denton County high school art students.

• discounts on all VAST workshops and juried exhibitions,
• subscription to Vision, the VAST bimonthly newsletter
• subscription to E-Vision, the VAST bimonthly e-newsletter
• listing (including one free image) in the online membership directory
• 20% discount on full-price items at Asel Art Supply, Dallas and HMS Art and Frame Shop, Denton

VAST is governed by a Board of Directors (link to VAST org chart) consisting of not less than three (3) and not more than twenty-five (25) members. The Board of Directors has full responsibility for the management of the business of the Organization within the structure of the approved Bylaws (link to Bylaws). The Board of Directors determines the policies governing the administration and operation of the Organization and has full responsibility for the financial affairs and for the ethical and professional standards of the Organization.

Please feel free to contact any VAST Board Member or the Executive Director for additional information.