Mission Statement
The mission of the Beach Art Center is to offer creative educational experiences in the visual arts that stimulate awareness and appreciation of the arts through changing exhibitions, lectures, studio classes and workshops that can strengthen interpretive ability and interactive creativity for both children and adults.
History
The Beach Art Center was founded by George King and was incorporated in May, 1978. The purpose was to improve, enhance, and advance the public knowledge of fine visual art. Mr. King had long desired to start a school of fine art in the beach community in which he lived and later build a gallery for further art appreciation. Mr. King cemented a relationship with the City of Indian Rocks Beach and with the American Legion, Post 128. The Legion donated the use of their building in which to hold classes.
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 became an important part of the island beach communities.
Mr. King suffered a stroke in 1989. Mrs. JoAnne King continued operation of the Center until her retirement in 1997, when Elizabeth Schoepf (Betsy) was hired as the Executive Director. During her ten year tenure, education and exhibition programs grew and the building saw major improvements.
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. 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 construction and renovations. Grace Dimm was hired by the Board of Directors in 2007. David Shankweiler was hired as the Executive Director in 2009 and currently holds this position. 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 continues to develop Children's programs including the Kreative Kids Summer Camp and After School Art Classes. The Center offers adults classes in watercolor, watermedia, oil, acrylic and sumi-e painting, pottery, drawing, jewelry making, photography and more. A variety of workshops are offered to advance the skills of beginning to advanced artists in a variety of art media including all types of painting, fabric dyeing, recycled sculpture, photography and more. Classes are taught by accomplished and recognized artists and teachers.
Exhibitions are a diverse mix of shows of local artists and BAC members, local and regional arts groups. In 2010 and 2011, BAC hosted exhibitions by the Tampa Bay Surface Design Guild (Surfing the Surface), The Florida Artists Group and the Professional Association of Visual Artists, and its first ever ceramics exhibition, (Ceramics on the Beach) based on two private collections, plus the Center’s own pottery instructors and students. Major fundraising events include the traditional Monte Carlo Night in January, the Beauty and the Beach Fine Arts and Fine Crafts outdoor show plus Chalk Walk, both the first Saturday in April, and the Beach Art Center Bluegrass Festival in May. For further information, please download the BAC By-Laws, and/or contact our Executive Director, David Shankweiler.