About WBCA
At White Bear Center for the Arts, we believe that everyone has an artist inside them waiting to be discovered. We offer hundreds of art classes for all ages and abilities, for a chance to learn something new, build community, or grow as an artist. Whether you’re an experienced artist or you’ve never picked up a paintbrush before, WBCA offers classes in ceramics, fiber arts, painting, drawing, woodworking, writing, dance, and more that will meet you where you are.
If you enjoy appreciating art more than creating it, we offer free gallery exhibitions for the whole community to enjoy. Our exhibition spaces are a vibrant platform for showcasing diverse perspectives and a place for people to gather. Each year, we host around a dozen exhibitions throughout our gallery spaces, including the premier Ford Family Gallery. See the artwork of fellow community members, and well-known or emerging artists on display.
"WBCA is a jewel and an epicenter of discovery that wants to grow stronger and evermore rooted in the fabric of our community. Please come and find out how the universal language of art brings people together and builds friendships."
- Kim Ford, past WBCA Board Member
WBCA's Mission:
ENRICH LIVES by Celebrating Art
NOURISH IMAGINATION by Inspiring Creativity
BUILD UNDERSTANDING by Connecting People
WBCA's Values:
CREATIVITY: It's at the heart of what we do. We are open to what’s new and willing to experiment in the interest of adventurous programming that inspires creativity.
HOSPITALITY: We strive to maintain a culture, environment, and inclusive community where all feel welcome, cared for, and valued.
RESPECT: We treat each other and all we encounter with respect. We respect diverse art, cultures, and ideas.
GROWTH: We believe in learning and enriching lives by experiencing art and the creative process. We strive to provide growth opportunities for all abilities and ages.
QUALITY: We seek to provide art, learning experiences, and work products of the highest quality.
INTEGRITY: We are committed to fulfilling our mission, authentically living our values, and being accountable and responsible stewards of WBCA’s resources.
WBCA History
Edna Imm Brings Artists Together
The roots of the present-day art center can be traced back to Edna Imm, an art teacher in White Bear Lake in the 1930s and 40s who brought together groups of artists for classes.
Sister Florentine Starts the Arts Council
In the 1960s, a teacher named Sister Florentine saw the burgeoning artist scene in White Bear Lake started by Imm and decided to organize it. She created the White Bear Arts Council in 1968, along with artists such as Polly Shank, Nels Femrite, and Frank Zeller.
WBCA Finds a Home
The Arts Council moved to a permanent building, the Armory, and changed their name to White Bear Center for the Arts.
WBCA Moves to Long Ave.
Art classes at WBCA are in high demand, and the Armory is feeling smaller and smaller. In 2013, WBCA moved to its current home on Long Ave.
WBCA Reopens
After an extensive renovation and addition, WBCA reopens to the public in 2021, introducing a new Ford Family Gallery, retail shop, outdoor campus, and expanded clay wing.
Diversity & Inclusion
To ensure an atmosphere of joy and wonder for WBCA and that its programming is accessible to all members of the community, we must be a culturally responsive center that reflects the diversity of our local area.
WBCA believes that diversity, inclusion, and equity are essential to fulfilling our mission to enrich lives by celebrating art, nourish imagination by inspiring creativity, and build understanding by connecting people for all in the Northeast Metro suburban area who wish to participate. WBCA embraces differences and commonalities across race, gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, mental & physical ability, religion, age, and socioeconomic class.
We believe that in order to build a more diverse foundation of members, we must work to identify barriers and commit to removing these limitations.
We commit to expanding our awareness about, and representation in, the greater diverse arts experience and strive to make art an intrinsic part of everyday life.
To meaningfully and measurably foster a culture of inclusion, we will focus on:
- Building our cultural capacity through education, cultural training, and intentional engagement with diverse artists and audiences.
- Providing accessible programs of relevance by engaging diverse artists in planning and delivery of programs at WBCA.
- Seeking opportunities that expand outreach to diverse populations in our community.
WBCA stands behind the importance of long-term, sustainable relationships built on genuine respect for the creative, social, and cultural spirit of each individual. This initiative is the bedrock for all action and planning done by the Board and Staff at WBCA.