Mission Statement

All people are entitled to exposure and involvement in the arts. Our goals are to stimulate creativity and art appreciation through classes and/or informal sessions at the studio or in the field, to appreciate and understand the accomplishment of others, to provide artists with places to exhibit their work and to act as a resource center for members and the public.

DAL Executives

Kim Puzey

Co-President

Kolleen Asaad
President

Sue Tinkle
Corresponding Secretary

Carol Garver
Vice-President

Sue Moudy
Treasurer

Mari Marno-Martin Recording Secretary

Department Heads

  • Kolleen Assaad

    Budget & Financing

  • Sue Moudy

    Budget & Financing
    Clay Studio

  • Jim Sheehan

    Building & Grounds
    Clay Studio

  • Carol Garver

    Children's Classes
    Gallery

  • Becky Engel

    Fund-raising
    Social Committee

  • Nancy Meeker

    Grant writing

  • Sue Tinkle

    Historian

  • Kim Puzey

    Membership

  • Sabrina Donnelly

    Newsletter

  • Dorothy Fava

    Gallery Exhibit

  • Dennis LeCount

    Website Coordinator

Our History


In the heart of Danville, in the early 1900s, the tale of the Danville Art League unfolded like an epic masterpiece.

It all began in 1938 when a small group of artists, guided by Vern Keesling and Professor John Rauschenberger, founded the Danville Art League. But the chaos of World War II briefly hushed their creative symphony. Yet, in 1947, their brushes ignited again, breathing life into their artistic dreams.

Their numbers swelled by 1949, each artist a vibrant stroke in the league's tapestry. In 1955, the Art in the Park festival had its first annual event, a celebration of art for the whole community.

The 1960s ushered in a new era as they found a home at 502 Sherman Street. Amongst shared canvases, art flourished, adorning places from hospitals to the local airport.

A dip in membership in 1980 almost ended the DAL Dream for good, but it was merely a pause before a creative renaissance. In 1991, led by Sharon Schmitz, the league was reborn. Creativity surged, infusing the city with a renewed zest for art.

Their golden age arrived in the late '90s, with 300 members showcasing their masterpieces across galleries, even in unexpected places like the Vermilion County Museum.

In 2010, the league reached for the stars, turning the vacant Red Cross building into a vibrant haven for art. With each stroke and festival, the Danville Art League etched its legacy—a testament to the belief that art belongs to all and thrives in the embrace of a passionate community.