The Newport Visual Arts Center, located at the historic Nye Beach Turnaround, is a facility built by the City of Newport as a public art exhibition space and for art education programs and maintained by the Oregon Coast Council for the Arts.
Opening in 1983, the Newport Visual Arts Center (or “VAC”) is the largest facility on the Oregon Coast built specifically for the exhibition of visual art. The VAC includes three traditional gallery spaces, as well two classrooms/event spaces.
The William Runyan Gallery occupies approximately 1,100 square feet on the 1st floor and features rotating exhibits throughout the year. (Click here for Runyan Gallery layout)
The 300-square foot Upstairs Gallery, located on the 3rd floor, also hosts rotating exhibits — primarily featuring new and experimental artists in the northwest region. (Click here for Upstairs Gallery layout)
The Coastal Oregon Visual Artists’ Showcase (COVAS), established in 2011, is located on the 2nd floor. Rotating exhibits in this space are typically 3-dimensional and feature work from coastal artists. (Click here for COVAS Showcase dimensions)
Hours: Wednesday-Saturday – 12pm to 4pm (unless otherwise noted)
All exhibitions are free and open to the public.
The Visual Arts Center also offers classes, workshops, and community events.