West Valley Art Museum Permanent Collections contains over 4000 items from more than 75 countries.

Our permanent collections holds over 1000 pieces of Ethnic Dress and textiles. Currently, West Valley Art Museum has the largest collection of ethnic dress in the southwest. Due to the already strong representation, a special emphasis is given to Asia, Africa and Latin American cultures.

19th and 20th Century American Paintings, Drawings and Prints: West Valley Art Museum's 19th and 20th Century fine art collection contains over 850 paintings, drawings and prints with a focus on American artists. A major representation in that catagory is artist Henry Varnum Poor which was made possible by the donation of 52 Henry Varnum Poor paintings, drawings and ceramics from Mr. and Mrs. Charles Stone and a single donation of 325 George Resler etchings and drawings donated by Mr. and Mrs. Alvin Pierce.

In addition, Fine Art prints from American artists such as Andy Warhol, Peter Max, Fritz Scholder, and T.C. Cannon further enhance the definition of collective cultures. In total our collection contains 302 prints. Fifty-four are 19th century historic Japanese woodcut prints, which support our Asian section of Ethnic Dress. These prints include well known Japanese artists such as Hiroshige, Kaoru Kawano, Kiyoshi Saito and Kunichika Toyohara.

Ethnographic Artifacts help to define and explain the nature of the cultures of the ethnic dress collection. To that end, the Collection contains 91 Chinese snuff bottles, 26 calligraphy tools, 115 ethnographic sculptures, Japanese fans, chopsticks, scrolls, including examples of cloisonne and repousse bowls, candlesticks, vases and platters.

The Permanent Collections, like the communities and the constituents it reflects, is dynamic. Through display of ethnic dress, in all its diversity, our collection highlights the commonality of the human spirit. Donations by Museum members and friends from our community are the foundation of our expanding permanent collection. Originally a second-home vacation-community for the well traveled and more recently a preferred all-year-around living for a growing culturally diverse group which requires diversity in its museum collection and exhibitions. Many museum members and visitors actively collected works from Asia, Africa, Europe, North and South America and have donated important pieces to the museum to ensure ongoing viewer enlightenment and education.

Loan of Collection Materials: As a Cultural Center, West Valley Art Museum continues its outreach program through the loan of artworks. Loans have been to facilities such as Minneapolis Institute of Art, Sky Harbor International Airport, Peoria Library, ASU West and Surprise City Hall.

When an item is donated, the Curators interview the donor for provenance and any other history known by the benefactor. The Collections Committee researches materials that are under consideration for accession. When funded, professional appraisers are hired to authenticate and evaluate potential accessions

Docent training: Docents research and report on pieces within the Permanent Collection as part of their educational program.

Operating within the Museum's Mission Statement we strive to be relevant and responsive to our culturally diverse and growing community. Collaboration and teamwork are important ingredients in the development of our exhibition program.

Comments from Museum visitors are always taken into consideration when reevaluating at the conclusion of an exhibition.