Art League: Promoting Visual Arts Since 1914 Submitted/written by: Mary Vinnedge

Galveston Art League: Promoting Visual Arts Since 1914
     Ambition runs high at the Galveston Art League, a community force supporting visual arts since its founding on June 12, 1914.
    The organization recently experienced two significant growth spurts. In 2016 the Art League opened a second gallery, this one at 611 Sixth St. N. in Texas City. And this year the league took the plunge on an expansion to its well-established gallery at 2117A Post Office St. in Galveston by purchasing the adjacent storefront at 2119 Postoffice St. The Art League is planning renovations to merge the Post Office spaces into one multifunctional site that plays host to exhibitions, workshops, receptions, and children’s summer camps as well as a small store for logo merchandise and other artsy items.
    As these major changes have occurred, the Galveston Art League has stayed on course in its mission to promote art and art education throughout Galveston County and neighboring areas. That was the original aim, more than a century ago, of a group of women led by Frances Kirk, superintendent of drawing for public schools in the city of Galveston. To that end, the founders quickly began holding juried competitions, with the first in 1915.
    These competitions continue today, with three held annually at each gallery. The league also holds juried children’s art shows at its Galveston site. In addition, both galleries host monthly exhibits in which members display paintings, drawings, sculpture, collage, jewelry, and other artworks for sale to the public.
The organization, which is the oldest continuously operating membership-based art league in Texas, is operated solely by volunteers. Because of its nonprofit status, contributions are tax-deductible.
The Art League depends on community support through the sale of artwork, membership dues, fees from participants in educational workshops, contributions to its building fund, donations of materials for its programs, and proceeds from tickets sold for varied events, including an annual gala. This year’s gala, to be held at the San Luis Hotel on Seawall Boulevard in Galveston, is scheduled for Oct. 6 and celebrates the theme “An Evening of Art & Music.”
The league’s galleries in Texas City and Galveston are open to the public from noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays. And both participate in their cities’ Art Walks, offering refreshments to visitors and shoppers who stroll through their galleries during extended evening hours.
To access further information about the Galveston Art League, please visit GalvestonArtLeague.com. The website also offers detailed information about juried competitions, membership, volunteer opportunities, workshops, and participating in league endeavors in other ways.

CAPTIONS AND CREDITS:

PHOTO  CREDIT: Sharon Jones
The Galveston Art League opened its second site, 611 Sixth St. N. in Texas City, in 2016. Each of the Texas City and Galveston galleries host three juried competitions every year.

PHOTO CREDIT: Pat Jakobi
The Art League’s downtown Galveston site, 2117A Post Office St., is expanding into an adjacent space. Like the Texas City site, this gallery is open from noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays through Sundays.

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