Artcofair life began a rainy afternoon of August 2014. We had been painting at our easels for a while, and as always, the conversation was about the few opportunities we had to show our hard work. We recognized that our chances of reaching the community at large were extremely limited. One alternative were the art galleries. But we knew galleries are very fussy requiring highly priced framing and presentations. Moreover, most professional galleries only accept a very narrow selection of art styles and charge very high percentages on any sales. Although our work was good to excellent, our exhibit opportunities were basically none.
We started considering the possibility of founding an organization to benefit the artist community including members or non-members. Our idea was for this organization to become a strong nexus between artists and the community. Our main goal was to reach the community by creating a platform to show our art combined with cultural activities.
That rainy day gave birth to the Artists Coalition of Fairfax. We founded a Non Stock Corporation and by November 2014 we got our nonprofit certification from the IRS. We started curating the Sherwood Center Rotary Gallery sponsored by the City of Fairfax, VA. Since then we have had many successful shows and receptions there, and our group became recognized by Fairfax’s art lovers and the artist’s community. We have exhibited more than 1,800 paintings by 200 artists reaching an estimated 30,000 community members a year. From our very beginning our exhibits and activities embraced all the fine artists in the NOVA area. Our members had certain benefits and privileges over non-members, but everybody had a chance to exhibit in the places that we curated.
After all these years, still on hold is our objective to getting our own gallery. The lack of having our own venue has been preventing us from including fellows from the performing arts, conducting meetings, have workshops, special exhibits, and cultural events.
On December 27, 2019 we had a brief experience opening the New Fairfax City Gallery located in the center of Fairfax City. In our first show we had 120 paintings in exhibit by 14 local artists. Our first reception brought more than 100 visitors and was showcased in a full page of the Fairfax Times. By the end of January 2020 we were ready for our first art classes with many participants joining. The future was looking good.
Then February 2020 came and with it the COVID-19 crisis. By the end of February we had to comply with the anti-Pandemic measures and we closed the gallery doors. We reopened on July 1 during the second stage of prevention but nobody was around, any gatherings, workshops, or even hanging new shows where out of the question. Eventually we had no choice but to shut down. The shutdown was not only Artcofair’s loss but also a loss for our local artists’ and the community as well. We had lost our dream…
As a nonprofit fine artists’ organization the Artists Coalition of Fairfax has an excellent record providing needed support and show opportunities to our fellow artists. Now with COVID-19 measures more relaxed we are eager to continue organizing interesting art and cultural events for our local community to enjoy. Our aim is still to create fine art and activities for you to enjoy and relax during these hard times. Your help is essential to our future. Please help us to continue our quest to provide high quality community events for everybody to enjoy. Contribute by donating any amount you can afford.
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Thanks for your generosity, stay safe.