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In 1982 the Internal Revenue recognized the Beach Art Center as tax-exempt under code 501(c)3. In 1982 money was raised for a 1,400 square foot addition to be added to the building. It was completed and paid for in 1983. More classes were added and workshops and demonstrations plus workshops were booked. The Beach Art Center thus became (an currently is) an important part of the island beach communities. Mr. King suffered a stroke in 1989. Mrs. JoAnne King continued operation the Center until her retirement in 1997. Elizabeth Schoepf (Betsy) was hired as the Executive Director in 1997, and retired in 2007. Grace Dimm was hired by the Board of Directors in 2007. David Shankweiler currently holds this Ex. Dir. position. By the 1990's the fifty-year old building had begun to fall into serious disrepair. Neither the Legion nor the Art Center was in a financial position to pay for the extensive building work required. However, in 1998 the Beach Art Center purchased the property (Corporation) and began a program of extensive renovations. This purchase and renovation of the building required taking out a mortgage. With the help of the membership and local businesses, a new roof, ceiling, air-conditioning and interior refurbishing was thereby accomplished. In June of 2000, a generous donor paid off this entire mortgage.A growing population of young families has changed the demographics of the beach communities from primarily retirement and tourist. To meet this cultural and artistic need, the Beach Art Center developed various successful Children's programs including: popular Pottery Classes, children's chalk walk at Beauty and the Beach, etc. At this time the Beach Art Center continues to serve the beach community with a broad curriculum of fine arts and crafts. The Center offers watercolor, oils, plus acrylics, sumi-e, pottery, plein air painting, drawing and photography. Previous workshops have been offered in stained glass, paper-making, silk-dying, advanced watercolor, oils, plus various marketing techniques. In 2003 the Beach Art Center was awarded, from the State of Florida, Division of Cultural Affairs, through the Florida Arts Council, a Cultural Facilities Grant of $143,000 to complete building constructions and bring it up to standards. All renovation completed over these past years has resulted in an increased awareness, and use, of the Beach Art Center throughout the county, locally, and with our winter visitors. This past year has been an extremely active year in adding members, classes (via diversity and workshops), fund raising events, to assist our mission of continued sharing, and having fun, with all forms of art. For further information, please contact
our Executive Director, David Shankweiler.
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