About Us

General Information

The Bay School - located on Main Street in downtown Mathews County - was conceived in 1997 to preserve heritage crafts, encourage eco-tourism and educate and bring together the local community. As a non-profit, 501c3 educational organization it is our goal to provide workshops, classes, lectures, exhibits and cultural opportunities. We provide a center that belongs to and exists for the community.

Mission and Purpose:

The Bay School is more than an arts educational facility and organization. As stated in our corporate mission statement we:

Sponsor or conduct educational workshops, training, conferences, programs and demonstrations of the techniques employed in the visual arts, heritage crafts and performing arts.
Support and encourage the economic development of Mathews County in an environmentally sustainable manner.
Foster an appreciation of the arts, and encourage people of all ages, races, and genders to explore their own creativity.
Provide a resource for life long learning and life living tools.
Aim to become a regional arts center and community asset, supporting all aspects of the arts, including music and theater, and to contribute to the revitalization of Mathews Courthouse.

In pursuit of our goal to bring the creative process into the lives of all of our citizens, the Bay School reaches out to the community and the surrounding areas through programs and projects provided at little or no cost to the recipient.

To this end we need your help, please consider making a tax-deductible contribution. Help ensure our continued health and existence. What will you get out of it? A community center to be proud of, a sense of ownership and community pride, invitations to Special Events and Preview Openings, the knowledge that you are helping working artists earn a living, and FUN!

The Bay School is supported in part by the Virginia Commission of the Arts, the National Endowment for the Arts, the Virginia State Legislature, and Mathews County. For a list of Grant Providers click here.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED!! The Bay School is always happy to welcome new volunteers. There are many exciting projects, special events and tasks for volunteers. Find out more here.

Contact Us

Offices:

279 Main Street

Mathews, VA 23109 (past the Library; look for the blue awning)

Mailing Address:

The Bay School

P.O. Box 1524

Mathews, VA 23109
kimmoore_bsa@verizon.net

804-725 1278 (1ART)

Gallery and Art Supply Shop Hours: Tuesday - Friday, 10am-5pm Saturday: 10am-3pm

A Note about Bay School Founder - Wendy Wells

A Tribute Written by Rosalyn White - Board Chairman, 2003-2005

"Conceived in her fertile brain and nurtured more than 8 years by her remarkable creativity, the Bay School is the embodiment of Wendy Well’s vision. To say that she started it from scratch is to overestimate its starting point. It outgrew two sites before she found and secured financing to buy the present building, planned and found funding for the renovation and turned a paint store into a center for the community’s pursuit of the arts. Ms Wells’ legacy is a vibrant organization that impacts the lives of hundreds of people throughout Mathews and neighboring communities with the uplifting touch of creativity and beauty."

Staff and Board of Directors

An introduction to our Staff and a list of our Board of Directors.

Board members and volunteers add color to the Mathews Active Lifestyle Center

Bay School Volunteers - Our Lifeblood

Join the Bay School Volunteers!

Funding

The Bay School's financial needs are provided in part by state and national governmental agencies and nonprofit organizations. However, we depend on private donations to earn matching grants and for general operating costs.

As a non-profit arts organization we need your personal support to keep our doors open.

Grant Providers

A list of those organizations that recognize the value of the Bay School's efforts to promote the arts in our region

How to Make Contributions
There are many ways to contribute to the Bay School! Some of these ways may be new to you. [ Download/View File ]

Where Are We?
Directions and information about Mathews, VA.