About the VFAA & SHAC

You can follow these quick links to our Board and Staff, Funding and incredibly supportive Partners, all listed below. Learn more about the SHAC.

The Village Fine Arts Association (VFAA) has been promoting the arts in the Village of Milford, Milford Township and the Huron Valley area since 1992. Our Mission is to promote the arts by providing fellowship, education and opportunities to artists, art lovers and everyone in our community. We are dedicated and driven to provide equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or disability in all of our programs, services and activities. Art and artistic expression are truly for everyone.

We participate with community groups in art related events to showcase our community’s creativity and increase our reach. Our goal is to engage and mentor artists of all ages and levels of experience who may benefit from encouragement, opportunities, education, and creative support. We invite members of the community to get involved as visitors, students, volunteers, and committee chairs to enhance a positive environment for enriching experiences.

The Suzanne Haskew Arts Center (The SHAC) is the facility where we fulfill our mission, serving our community. This vibrant, well-ventilated industrial space houses our gallery, gift shop, offices, and more. The open space serves everyone with our art classes; rentals for parties, meetings and events; and a highly adaptable environment for concerts, theater, film, gatherings and purpose. Visit us at 125 S. Main Street, in the River’s Edge Brewing Co. building. For the history buff in you, we are in the 1920’s Art Deco period Agnew building and house a 7-ton load lifter!

Read the history of the VFAA and the SHAC.

The Board & Staff of the VFAA

Our Executive Board is voluntary and representative of the community that the VFAA serves. The Board is made up of local artists, civic leaders and business professionals. The VFAA attracts skilled art instructors to teach both in-person and online for the SHAC. These talented teachers engage students representing all generations, and provide classes in all mediums.

Executive Director:  Susan Gollon is a supercharged non-profit volunteer committed to the VFAA vision for the Suzanne Haskew Arts Center. She architected the SHAC launch in 2014.

Board Officers:
President: Linda Onderko – Self Employed Artist/Art Instructor– Commerce, MI
Vice President: Kathleen Fish – Artist/Art Instructor – Commerce, MI
Secretary: Andrea Perry – Huron Valley Chamber of Commerce, former SHAC Director – Milford, MI
Treasurer: Revolving Appointment. Contact Susan Gollon to be a part of a dynamic art organization.

Board Members:
Colleen Kilpatrick – Owner: Red Maple Retreat – Milford, MI
Isaac Perry – English Teacher – Huron Valley Schools – Milford, MI
Stephanie Spackman – Adjunct Faculty – Oakland Community College – Walled Lake MI
Gail Weddington – Director of Audiology, Michigan ENT, – Pontiac, MI

Honorary Board Members:
Harold Haskew Automotive Industry – Milford, MI
Gloria Shulte Retail – West Bloomfield, MI

VFAA Staff at the Suzanne Haskew Arts Center:
SHAC Coordinator:  Keri Cleasby
Bookkeeper, Graphic Design, Administrative Assistant:  Candace Brancik, Artist

Coordinators:
Membership – Andrea Perry
Volunteering – Susan Gollon
Publicity – Susan Gollon
Visiting Artist Program – Joanne Guile, Bob Wesley
Grants – Alicia Brown
Newsletters – Candace Brancik
Artist of the Year  – Kathy Fish
Refreshments  – Kathy Fish
Appreciation & Thank Yous! – Candace Brancik, Susan Gollon 

Programs
Children’s Camps – Sarah Sims 
Peacock Art Club (PAC) – Lori Pas/S. Kay Young

Funding

The Village Fine Arts Association (VFAA) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. We raise money each year through corporate donors, memberships, art class revenue, exhibition fees and artwork sales,  fundraising events, and grant awards. We receive support from Milford Township, the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the Michigan Council for the Arts and Cultural Affairs (MCACA), and the Kresge Foundation.

Find our Guidestar profile at https://www.guidestar.org/profile/38-3037710

Our Accessibility Policy

The VFAA is fully committed to ensuring equal access and participation for all people, regardless of their abilities. We are committed to treating all people in a way that allows them to maintain their dignity and independence. Inclusion is essential to what we do, and to art, fundamentally.  Our programs are conducted in the Suzanne Haskew Art Center, the SHAC,  which is a fully ADA compliant, accessible facility that fits our vision and values of artistic expression, being: open to all, regardless of age, abilities, and level of experience. All information on our programs will be provided in an accessible format on request, or with communication supports that consider a person’s specific needs. The SHAC was opened with people with disabilities specifically in mind and will continue to operate accordingly.