Beach Art Center

Indian Rocks Beach
 
History
The Beach Art Center was founded by George King. It 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. The City helped with a yearly grant of $3,000.


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 American Legion building. It was completed and paid for in 1983. More classes were added and workshops and demonstrations and more classes were booked. The Beach Art Center was becoming an important part of the beach communities.


Mr. King suffered a paralyzing stroke in 1989. Mrs. JoAnne King continued operation the Center until her retirement in 1997. Elizabeth (Betsy) Schoepf was hired as the Executive Director in 1997 and currently holds that 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 work needed. In 1998 the Beach Art Center purchased the property from the American Legion and began a program of renovation. The purchase and renovation of the building required taking out a mortgage. With the help of membership and local businesses, a new roof, ceiling, air-conditioning and interior refurbishing was done. In June of 2000, a generous donor paid off the mortgage.


A growing population of young families has changed the demographics of the beach communities from primarily retirement and tourist. To meet the cultural and artistic needs afforded by the change, the Beach Art Center developed a successful children's summer Creative Arts Camp, included a popluar children's art tent and children's chalk walk at Beauty and the Beach. After school clay classes for children were added.


At this time the Beach Art Center continues to serve the community with a broad curriculum of fine arts and crafts. The Center offers watercolor, oils and ails and acrylics, sumi-e, pottery, plein air painting and drawing. Workshops have been offered in stained glass, paper-making, silk-dying, advanced watercolor, oils, and 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 continue to renovate the building and bring it up to contemporary standards. The renovation has been completed for over three years and has resulted in increased awareness of the Beach At Center throughout the county, locally and with winter visitors. This past year has been an extremely active year in bringing in new people to help continue the mission of sharing and having fun with art.






Beach Art Center ~ 1515 Bay Palm Blvd. ~ Indian Rocks Beach, FL 33785 ~ 727-596-4331
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