WPAG Logo

Founded in 1963, the West Pasco Art Guild and Gallery, is the largest art association in Pasco County. It is a valuable resource for artists and artists-in-training.

Workshops are planned once or twice a month from September through May with visiting artists.

Monthly shows with artwork from Guild members and the wider community are hung in the Gallery and are open to the public. Each show begins with an opening reception. See the Exhibits & Show Openings page for the schedule. 

Opportunities to exhibit in the surrounding area are also occasionally avaiolable.

Goals

Our facilities, talented members, and activities, are invaluable resources for artists and artists-in-training, on both a professional and social level.

Our objectives are to:

  • create, foster and sustain interest in the fine arts
  • sponsor education, programs, displays and exhibitions
  • increase the skills of our members

Officers

Marilyn Wescott

President

Pamela Varricchio

Vice President

Helen Hanley

Secretary

Suzanne Marisa

Treasurer

Directors

Christine Cooke

Director

Janet Kardas

Director

Kathleen Clarke

Director

Carol O'Connor Eisenberg

Director

Valerie Brandau

Past President

Committees/Chairs

Membership: Janet Kardas
Gift Shop: and Gallery Manager: Carol O’Connor-Eisenberg
Webmaster: Lyn Rodger

Show Coordinator: Marilyn Wescott
Workshop Coordinator: Helen Hanley
Building Manager: Pamela Varricchio

Origins

The guild had its origins in 1959 when a small group of people who met to paint at Sims Park, New Port Richey, became interested in forming an art organization. This interest grew and the guild was formally founded in 1963. The first meetings were held in the New Port Richey Civic Center. In 1966 the group moved to the old Firehouse building on East Main Street. Membership increased rapidly and soon outgrew that place. With the help of the city council, permission was granted to move into the unoccupied Old Kentucky Inn at 100 South Boulevard. This location was used for 5 years.

Our Building

WPAG original buildingThe group was able to purchase its own building, the former St Stephans Episcopal Church, in 1971. This site at Jefferson and Missouri remains the center of activity today. The building has been renovated and is home to our Exhibition Show Gallery, a large Painting Studio, the Boutique Gift Shop, and our vast Art Library (which began in 1972 with 64 books and now contains over 3,000). This is one of very few art guilds to own its building with members maintaining the building and providing instruction in the arts.

The organization is entirely self sustaining and receives no state or federal funding. Funds come from member dues, workshop fees and donations. Member volunteers oversee the business operations, maintain the building and provide instruction in the arts, through classes, mentoring, demonstrations, workshops, and shows.