VALA, Venues for Artists in the Local Area, Eastside, is a 501c3,non-profit arts organization based in Redmond,WA, committed to connecting artists to artists, artists to the community, and the community to art.
Vision
A thriving art venue enabling the showcasing of artwork for artists on the eastside community of Washington as well as invigorating the cultural scene of this community.
Mission
Connecting artists to artists, artists to the community, and the community to art.
Brief history of VALA
VALA [Venues for Artists in the Local Area], is a 501c3, non-profit arts organization founded in 2010 by Jessica and John Lambert based in Redmond, Washington. VALA’s mission to connect artists to artists, artists to the community, and the community to art is achieved by featuring local artists who are particularly interested in connecting to the community in meaningful ways. VALA connects artists to artists through the VALA Artist to Artist Series which spotlights featured artists to discuss their inspiration and process with other artists and is open to the local community. VALA further connects the community to artists by facilitating events and programs like the VALA Artist Studio that invites community members to create art alongside featured artists. VALA creates partnerships with local businesses and organizations to create non-traditional venues for artists. All VALA events and programs are free to the public.
By partnering with Redmond Town Center, VALA has tapped into the deep commitment that RTC has to the Redmond community and its willingness to afford in-kind space and staff time in order to support local artists and the visual arts in the community of Redmond. VALA also works to connect to local artists that are creating compelling artwork from jewelry to painting to whimsical yet ripe with meaning fiber artworks. VALA strives to create space for artists and artworks to be honored and appreciated by the public at large.
Founders
Jessica and John Lambert
Founding Board Members
Jessica Lambert, City of Redmond Arts Commissioner, Seattle Art Museum Docent, VALA President and Executive Director
John Lambert, Partner Director at Microsoft Corporation, VALA Treasurer and Vice President
Dave Cross, Partner Director at Microsoft Corporation
Christine Cross, Cross Properties, Real Estate Manager
Tami Jones, Interior Designer, Tami Jones Interiors, LLC
Donna Wallace, UX Design Manager, Microsoft Corporation, Member Artist at Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, Wa
Current Board Members
Jessica Lambert, City of Redmond Arts Commissioner, Seattle Art Museum Docent, VALA President and Executive Director
John Lambert, Partner Director, Microsoft Corporation, VALA Treasurer and Vice President
Donna Wallace, UX Design Manager, Microsoft Corporation, Member Artist at Parklane Gallery, Kirkland, Wa.
Sandra Baker, Artist and Art Historian
Christina Henning, Sr. Marketing Manager at Redmond Town Center
Crystal Edwards, Graphic Designer, Artist, VALA Secretary
Phil Jensen, Redmond-based Artist
Current Staff
Jessica Lambert, Executive Director
Marianne Johnson, Assistant Director
Brett Mathewson, Program Assistant
Thomas Spencer, Installation Engineer and Gallery Master