About Us
Penn Yan Art Guild was founded in 1962. The late Bill Madden, Bluff Point artist, helped in its formation 'to improve skills and get people interested in the arts' to quote the late Florence Middlebrook in her interview in 1977 to Dick Eisenhart of the Elmira Telegram Newspaper. 'One of the goals was to establish a gallery where members could have a permanent place to work and leave their equipment'.
Hence, PYAG is the engine for the Arts Center of Yates County's (formerly known Yates County Arts Council) evolution into gallery and workshop space.
PYAG members have been very active in the Arts Center development over the years. PYAG has grown from its 16 original members to nearly 65 artists. Activities include an Annual Art Exhibit at the Flick Gallery of ACYC, demonstrations, workshops, plein air days, open studio days and day trips.
We welcome aspiring, beginning, and established artists and anyone interested in exploring and creating art.
The objectives of the Penn Yan Art Guild are:
1) To foster an interest in, and to increase knowledge and appreciation of the visual arts among members and in the community.
2) To provide a flow of technical information among members which shall be to their mutual benefit.
3) To provide exhibits of art for the general benefit of the area.
4) To cooperate with organizations with similar interests.