About Us

Humber Valley Art Club offers an inclusive art program for adults in Studio A at Neilson Park Creative Centre.  

Our courses include Monday half-day classes for beginner and intermediate students, as well as Wednesday full-day workshops for intermediate to advanced painters.  Our program runs from September to June.   

Humber Valley Art Club  –  Then and Now

Our Beginnings

Humber Valley Art Club sprang into vibrant life in 1951 when a “Group of Eight” women with a variety of art backgrounds decided to organize themselves into a club dedicated to artistic pursuits.  They enjoyed getting together to paint plein-air in the Humber Valley, the Old Mill area and also in more northerly destinations.  Painting primarily in oil and watercolour, they challenged themselves to capture the vibrancy of the varied, seasonal Ontario landscape.  So successful were these founders, that by the end of the first summer, this loosely structured group boasted a membership of over forty enthusiasts. 

Originally meeting in each-others’ homes, they soon got together in larger facilities including the Pavilion in High Park, Kingsway Lambton United Church and Humber Valley United Church.  Over the years, regular juried exhibitions were held in a variety of locations such as the O’Keefe Centre (juried by Doris McCarthy), the Canadian National Exhibition and High Park.    

HVAC’S  most exciting and welcoming home was finally realized when the move was made to the newly constructed Neilson Park Creative Centre in 1993.  The Club settled eagerly and happily into this custom-designed, spacious art facility in beautiful Neilson Park by Etobicoke Creek.  The design of our Studio A included architectural input by several HVAC members to feature its bright, expansive north-facing windows, its airy high ceilings, bright lighting and also the spacious size to accommodate its large classes.  And it’s important to point out that a small and very dedicated group of our own HVAC members at that time, along with other local artists and artisans, were instrumental in the fundraising, lobbying of the Etobicoke government and also donating HVAC’s own financial contribution to construct this wonderful city-owned art facility that we are still privileged to call our home.  We owe these determined, forward-looking HVAC members our boundless thanks!

When Humber Valley Art Club moved its program into Studio A at NPCC in 1993, membership numbers exceeded 300.   Workshops often filled Studio A to its capacity of 30, with many workshops experiencing waiting lists.  An inspiring roster of artists provided excellent instruction in watercolour, acrylic, mixed media/collage, sketching etc. on Mondays and Wednesdays.  A one-page annual workshop flyer was sent out in hard copy by mail every June to outline the complete program for the next instructional year, September – May.  Courses often fill up within a few weeks, with many members rushing to get their registrations posted in July / August to ensure a space the following term.  These were enthusiastic times!

The Present

The computer age has so dramatically changed our way of functioning that it is difficult to remember pre-computer days for our club! The last decade or more has seen a grand leap in members embracing computer skills, thus facilitating a smooth transition to email communication, e-transfers, an annual E-Brochure for our Monday Classes and Wednesday Workshops and more recently to Zoom courses and online art exhibitions during the pandemic years. 

Our Club, a not-for-profit organization, is run by an Executive Committee of approximately eight members, elected annually.  Our executive members and other helpers are all volunteers. 

We are dedicated to ensuring that our Club offers its members a friendly and welcoming environment, regular HVAC News E-Blasts to stay updated and also a chance to share their own art-related news through our news e-blasts. 

New Members and Friends are ensured personal attention through e-mail or phone communication with our Registrar, should it be requested.  Our social functions include an annual Holiday Luncheon in December, usually at a golf club, as well as a fall AGM Luncheon at NPCC, to provide our members with the opportunity to socialize outside of regular courses.

We also endeavour to provide our members ample opportunity to showcase their own paintings throughout the year.  This includes the Members’ Online Gallery on our website (October – August), the Annual Members’ Choice Exhibition at NPCC in the fall and our Annual Juried Exhibition at the Etobicoke Civic Centre (or alternate location) in the spring, which includes an Opening Reception.

Our Vision

Humber Valley Art Club’s vision has remained consistent over these many exciting and eventful years since its founding in 1951.

We endeavour to provide welcoming fellowship and top-quality instruction for our members at all skill levels, from beginners to advanced.  Our best efforts are made to contribute positively to the enjoyment of a richer life through the Visual Arts. 

Our Motto

“Join us in experiencing the Joy of Creation through Painting!”

HVAC Board of Directors 

Co-Chairs  -  Bev Morgan, Rose Robertson

Vice-Chair  -  Karyn Sturtridge 

Treasurer  -    Heather Thornton 

Secretary / Communication  -  Rose Robertson

Executive Committee  - Bev Morgan, Rose Robertson, Karyn Sturtridge, Heather Thornton 

Workshop Committee  -  Bev Morgan, Karyn Sturtridge, Rose Robertson, Marilyn Donofrio

Workshop Registrar  -  Sandy Lincoln

Show Committee  -  Vlad Rasper

Convener Coordinator  -  Marilyn Donofrio

Library  -  Marilyn Donofrio