Integrating Art into the Cultural Fabric of Rim Country

Empty Bowls is an international project that has raised millions of dollars to fight hunger at the community level. The Rim Country Mud Club, a group of local pottery artists is now bringing this effort to Payson. The group creates and donates hundreds of unique, hand-made bowls for Payson’s yearly Empty Bowls event. This cherished community get-together has become a must attend gathering, bringing in great music, food, philanthropy, and volunteerism. For 2021 Rim Country Mud Club is partnering with Payson Art League to hold the event in conjunction with our Fall Art Festival. Stay tuned for date and location. 

RCA is an annual co-producer of "MCT in PAYSON" with the Payson Longhorn Theatre. The show this year was BEAUTY LOU AND THE COUNTRY BEAST, and played to great success at the Payson High School Auditorium on August 25 and 26, 2023.

Each year, our team brings a production of the world-renowned Missoula Children's Theatre  to Payson. The Tour Directors hold auditions on a Monday, casts 60 local students grades 1-12, rehearses them after school the next three days, then presents 2 hour-long shows -- Friday and Saturday -- filled with singing, dance, abundant speaking parts, colorful costumes, and happy children!

Members of Payson Art League have been dedicated volunteers, raising money for Art Education Scholarships, special in-school art workshops, and large scale community fund-raising campaigns to raise $100k+ for our local elementary schools. We work with local PTO's, the PUSD school district, and private schools to impact the lives of young, aspiring artists. 

ArtBeat: Rhythm of the Rim is a non-profit corporation that serves the Rim Country to enhance the pulse of the arts through education, public art, and community participation in the arts. We are committed to providing performance and

visual art opportunities and facilities for all ages – children through adults. We consider

art and art education to be an essential aspect of fostering a healthy, viable community. Art Beat and Payson Art League were cosponsors,  of the Town of Payson’s AARP funded crosswalk mural project completed in 2019. The project brought community volunteers and artists of all ages and skill levels together to enhance Main Street and a cross walk on Westerly, to bring attention and create a fun, safe walkway for pedestrian traffic. 

Members of PAL were major contributors of small works for the Art Squared fundraiser benefiting the Friends of Rim Country GCC scholarship fund in 2019

Our Artists have been vital partners in bringing together philanthropic foundations, local parent organizations, private donations, and corporate sponsors to get major projects accomplished in our community.