“Creativity is the combination of both intelligence and imagination.
Intelligence is the ability to apprehend and perceive what is.
Imagination is the ability to perceive what could be.”
Are you an artist looking to connect with other artists?
Meet fellow artists, enjoy the support of an active creative community and take part in various opportunities to share your work throughout the year. You don’t have to live on Mercer Island to be a member.
The purpose of the organization is to promote and encourage artistic endeavors on Mercer Island and the surrounding area, to stimulate awareness and appreciation of the visual arts in our community, and to sponsor art exhibits and workshops. We also award scholarships to High School Students annually.
Memberships and Contributions
We welcome all people interested in the visual arts. Dues are $30/year. Members must be at least 18 years of age and dues are payable by December of each year. Members who contribute $10 or more beyond the dues payment become a Patron of MIVAL.
MIVAL Scholarship funds help visual arts students to achieve their passion for the arts. Your contributions impact our youth in transformative ways.
MIVAL is a 501(c) 3 non-profit organization and accepts contributions from the community-at-large towards scholarships and awards.
You may either download the MIVAL Membership Form or apply online
Your membership form is required with payment. Make your check payable to MIVAL. Please mail your completed membership form with attached personal check to:
MIVAL, PO Box 134, Mercer Island, WA 98040
To pay by credit card or with your PayPal account, contact Ken Claflin at ken@mival.org. You will receive a MIVAL PayPal Invoice.
Or you can deliver you check and application during business hours to the gallery during business hours.
MIVAL Gallery, 2836, 78th Ave SE, Mercer Island, WA 98040.
MIVAL Gallery business hours: Wednesday – Sat. Noon – 6 PM, Sunday Noon – 4 PM
Questions about Membership? Contact Ken Claflin, ken@mival.org
Benefits of Membership
MIVAL Gallery
When you join MIVAL, you are welcome to consider joining our local gallery on Mercer Island. Our gallery of provides a platform for artists to showcase and sell their work, encourages appreciation of art, and fosters connections between artists and the community. For more information contact Judith at jroan@fredhutch.org.
Share your work
One of the best aspects of membership is our active community of working artists. We share our work by entering in exhibits at our gallery as well as other island venues. Our gallery is where we meet with friends share our work, and discuss the work on exhibit. We also share our knowledge of future show opportunities and meet to discuss art in general.
Be Featured on our website
We can display examples of your work with your artists statement on our Artists page as well as include a link to your website.
Share your talents and skills
We’re a diverse and talented group. Have you ever taught a class, written an article or a book? Would you like to share what you know with others and the community? Let us know what you’d like to do. We have monthly presentations by members and non-members at our general meetings. If you have a suggestion let us know.
Artist Venues for Members on Mercer Island
All members are invited to show their art in local businesses. Venues vary and can accept 2-D and/or 3-D work. Contact Ken Claflin if you are interested in showing and what kind of art you have to show.
Art Explorers
Join fellow artists to explore new art, share your work and gain valuable support and feedback. We go to museums and galleries as well as visit artist studios.
The Membership Directory
The Membership Directory is created annually and is made accessible to members from our website.
Renewals
MIVAL Membership is renewable annually. We ask that you renew by the end of each year. You will receive an email reminder. The annual fee is $30, and to be a Patron, the fee is $40 or more. If you would like your Patron amount to go toward scholarships, just Ken know.
You may pay in the following ways. Please include your membership form with your payment.
- You can send your check to MIVAL PO. Box 134, Mercer Island, WA 98040.
- You can leave your check at the gallery in the membership envelope.
- If you would like to pay by credit card, email me at ken@mival.org and I will send you a PayPal invoice.
- If you have a PayPal account, you can log into your PayPal account and email your membership dues to mival@mival.org.
If you have any questions, email Ken at ken@mival.org.