HISTORY
The Vero Beach Art Club was formed in 1936 by six dedicated artists who called their group the "Vero Beach Sketch Club". The Club was later incorporated as the Vero Beach Art Club in 1954. Having served the community for over 88 years, the Club has grown to a membership of over 600 members and is one of the nation’s largest art clubs. In 1978, the art club began negotiations with the City of Vero Beach to obtain a site for the purpose of building an Art Academy and Gallery. The Club was granted space in the Riverside Park Complex and entered into a cooperative relationship with the Alliance for the Arts to pursue a mutual interest in building an art-centered facility. In 1981, ground was broken on the present site of the Vero Beach Museum of Art. The building opened in 1986 on Riverside Park Drive with the Art Club and the Museum as co-tenants.
The Vero Beach Art Club is rich in history and reputation. It promotes the arts by way of educational scholarships, enrichment programs and community projects. It encourages and supports the appreciation and creation of fine art and crafts.
Vero Beach Art Club’s Founder Jeanette Beach
by Mary Taylor Young 1939
1936
The first person here in Vero Beach to form a group interested in art was Miss Janette Beach. Six persons met at her home on 21st Ave. on Jan. 15, 1936. They called themselves the “Sketch Club”.
1975
With 174 members the Art Club continued to grow and started holding classes at the “2001 Building” at 9th Ave & 20th Place 1040 sq. ft, which we quickly outgrew. We held classes in a variety of mediums.
1976
We moved out Arts & Crafts Shop to 1935 Old Dixie Hwy. It was called the Moveable Feast.
1977
We opened an Art Gallery at 1969 14th Avenue
1978 - 1979
We created a brochure for our classes.
1980
In November 1980 a $1 a year Lease (assumed for 99 years) was given to Alliance for the Arts and the Vero Beach Art Club for land to build a Cultural Arts Center and Museum.
1981
Here is an excerpt from the Historian Report May 21, 1981 “When we moved to 1969 14th Avenue with water supply, storage and action space, the classes took off.”
320 students in 25 different classes from 1977-1981 from 16 teachers in a variety of mediums.
It generated enough income for the “rent to be paid and the air conditioning to be available.”
1979-1980 there were 228 Active Members
1983-1984
Excerpt from the Historian Report for 1983-1984 We held Classes TWO LOCATIONS: 1969 14th Avenue (outgrowing the space) & 489 22nd Place
216 classes in one year
45 Seminars and several Workshops
1982-1983 there were 296 Active Members
We also had our lending library
1984-1985
Historian Report for the 1984-1985 we had once again outgrown our space.
307 classes + 6 seminars/workshops in just one year. +42% class increase in just one year!
“The classes came through so that it wasn’t necessary to dip into the Building Fund.”
