Become an Artist Member

Gallery

This is the backbone of the organization and provides a place for our members to sell their artwork year round.

Located next to the Cody Country Visitor Center, a large portion of their 100,000-plus yearly visitors also come through our doors and many of these drop in on us again during their next visit.  Additionally, local and regional people have come to know CCAL as the go-to place to purchase quality, unique and handmade artwork.

Workshops

These are the key part of our education efforts and are open to the public.

They cover a wide gamut of the Visual Arts and feature nationally known instructors as well as some of our very talented local and regional ones.

Special Events

Connecting our members, the community, and visitors from the region and beyond.

Many are timed to coincide with area promotions and holidays to increase public exposure to our members' artwork.  There are also a diverse range of other events from unique fundraisers to artist demonstrations at our gallery or out in the community. 

Outreach

This involves our efforts to bring art to underserved areas by partnering with organizations specializing in those areas.

We exist in an area with a diverse range of demographics and are relatively isolated from the levels of cultural opportunities and support capabilities available in typical large metropolitan communities.  We partner with or otherwise assist existing organizations in providing visual art experience where needed.

Facilities

These consist of a two-room gallery, a separate classroom and a storage area.

The main gallery floor easily supports exhibits of over 150 paintings of varying sizes. In addition, a multitude of other types of artwork are displayed using shelving and reconfigurable panels. The later allow optimal arrangement to meet individual show needs. The other smaller room has similar display options. Our expanded classroom is 46' x 21' and can easily accommodate classes of 20 or more.

Operation

We are a 501c3 non-profit organization pertaining to the visual arts. We are governed by a board of directors and operate with limited staff.

Our funding relies on donations, membership dues and a percentage of Gallery sales as well as grants and additional sponsorships. Operation is guided by the Vision, Mission and Objectives statements laid out by the Board in support of the visual arts.

History

CCAL was established in 1964 and located in the former Buffalo Bill Museum on Sheridan Avenue in downtown Cody, Wyoming.

We are a culmination of the “impossible dream realized through the benevolence of a progressive community” and particularly by our founding members, which include Mr. & Mrs. Paul Stock, Dr. Harold McCracken, the Nielsen family, Mrs. Doris May and the Coe Family, to name just a few.

Annual Show

This is our flagship event and is open to all visual artists living in the United States (members and non-members alike).

This is a non-juried show with the number of entries limited only by our display capacity.  Entries are categorized by media type & skill level (professional/amateur/youth) and should be family friendly.  All are judged and awards are provided through the generosity of our donors.  The show is held during the very height of our visitor season providing a large number of viewers.   

Volunteers

Supplying the behind-the-scenes work that keeps us going, these indeed are our “League of Extraordinary Members”.

Their efforts support almost every aspect of our activities and have allowed us to undertake a number of special improvement projects.  They are vital to our continuance & success and we are so very thankful to have them. 

Members are encouraged to volunteer.

"The Cody Country Art League is the place where I started my art career.  I entered a painting of my father in the Cody Art League Show in the early 1970's.    My painting won best of show and my father bought the painting for $200.  I could pay my bills and my rent, back then the dollar stretched way farther than today,   and I felt like I could do this as a living.  

Fast forward over 40 years.  My career has been successful.  I was able to support my family and raise my children through art.  I supported the Cody Art League and encouraged young artists to show their paintings there.  The Cody Country Art League is more than just a place to show art.  It  is multifaceted.  The annual art show helps emerging artists who want to become professional.  There is no other venue in our community for this.  It has been an educational  entity where I as well as other professional artists teach classes to those interested in pursuing an art carer. It is supported by these artists who owe their start to the Art League. It has a broad  community love and support.  Many volunteer their time, talents and energy it making this entity work,  It would be a shame to lose such an important part of Cody history  The Arts are an integral part of our human lives.  In a time when the schools are cutting back on the arts and music in our school's entities like the Art League become more not less important.  Art and music integrate the right and left hemispheres of the brain helping children learn better and faster. Our Art League teaches classes for young students as well.  I can't tell you how passionate I  am about this huge part of our town and what it does for us.  Please support something so important."

— Mike Poulsen