A 501(C) (3) Non Profit Corporation serving Mustang and North Padre Islands.

History

The idea for the Art Center for the Islands was begun in l995 and l996 with Ann Adams and Cheryl Grundy (Orr). Cheryl  talked to Ann West’s class about the idea of the art center, and some of the class signed on to help with the incorporation.  They were Shirley Harrison, Audrey Bennett, and Karen Winship.  At the same time, there were some artists & friends who had been involved with the cooperative in Port A.  They were Mary Rose, Pat Holt and  Nancy D’Herde.  Audrey Bennett’s husband, Bob Bennett, and some interested friends on Padre Island; Karling Kolter, Barbara Cheshire, and Susan Lewis also expressed an interest.  These became the incorporators for the Art Center and formed its first board of directors.  Of these, Mary Rose and Karen Winship still remain on the board.  Mary Rose served as Treasurer /Board member for 6 ½ years and now serves as the Executive Director of the Center. Karen Winship served as President for seven and one half years, and is now President Emeritus of the Center.   Shirley Harrison, who taught drawing classes for many years at the Art Center, has since passed away.

  The Art Center has grown phenomenally over the last ten years.  It has become one of the premier Art Centers of the Coastal Bend.  The Art Center for the Islands has over 335 members and of these, over 200 are artist / members who display their works of art at the center.

   The Art Center for the Islands is a very active part of the community and the surrounding area.  It offers a host of ongoing art classes and workshops; a monthly First Friday Reception, featuring artists of every kind, including the musicians of the area who play at the reception as a gift to the center. We hold a student art show every December featuring the artwork of students from four area school districts; have a scholarship program for students in the Port Aransas ISD who express an interest in art; while we also offer opportunities for youth camps-Spring and Summer, in conjunction with the Parks and Recreation department. The Art Center participates in various other community projects such as Dine Around, the Celebration of Whooping Cranes and other Birds, Sandfest, the Songwriter’s Showcase, (in conjunction with), the Centers own Art Festival and the City’s Millennium activities. We also participate in hosting special traveling exhibits; the International Crane Foundation’s Children’s International Art Exchange-“Crane, Bird of Peace”, Port Aransas Preservation and Historical Association Photo Exhibit, and The Coastal Bend Wildlife Photo Contest Winner’s Exhibit. In 2003, the Art Center selected a logo to represent the center. With the plans and help of artists Guy Morrow, and hard work of Guy, Ed Bokamper, John Morrow, and Helene Mora, the Art Center has expanded and redone the gallery space and classroom space.  With four years of grants from the Coastal Bend Community Foundation, the Art Center has purchased  office equipment, a Pottery Barn, a large storage unit, three pottery wheels and stools,  installed new lighting plus  carpet, paint, and lumber to remodel the whole gallery. And recently we are in the process of acquiring new tables, chairs, a sink and art supplies for adult and children’s classes. 

   The Art Center has many sponsors: Lifetime Members, Restaurant Sponsors, Monthly Corporate Sponsors, Patrons and a host of extremely valuable volunteers& members who help the Art Center, accomplish all of these marvelous things, which make it such a viable and vibrant entity.  *(and our new “One Square Foot” Supporters) Art Center History by: Karen Winship

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Board of Directors

        

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