New Elevator Installed!

[September 15, 2025… Fairhope, AL]

Editorial by: Academy Director, Reanna Watson

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The Eastern Shore Art Center has participated in several exciting grant projects over the years:

  • providing beautiful art supplies for Art Bashers
  • fully funding glass blowing experiences
  • outfitting the studios with custom made tables
  • building a new gift shop
  • embarking on wild clay expeditions

We are happy to announce that we have completed our latest grant project which included… Ballast removal, bulb installation, and a new lift??? Wait… That doesn’t sound too “Creative” or “Stimulating”, does it?

Well, wait until you hear about the impact that this boring, old facility project has had on the Art Center!

Front Desk Coordinator, Margaret Neely, and Academy Director, Reanna Watson

A couple of years ago, I hired an electrician to replace a few bulbs in various studios. Because of the height of the ceilings, a professional needed to be called out, periodically, to perform the task. Therefore, more than a few bulbs needed to be out before replacing. He informed me that several ballasts needed replacing and that our fluorescent lighting system was extremely outdated and inefficient, soon to be “OBSOLETE”. After discussing costs, it was clear that we would need to update 114 light fixtures which meant removing over 200 ballasts and replacing 456 bulbs. We filed the quote in the “FACILITY” folder and bided our time. After all, who needs adequate lighting while painting, figure drawing, wheel throwing, etc???

“Obsolete”. This is a dreaded word for those that manage facilities as old as our beloved Art Center. And it is one we hear often. In fact, shortly before the lighting bomb was dropped, we had encountered it regarding our elevator. The old lift had served us well… transporting countless pedestals, patrons, and paintings from one level of ESAC to another. There was a time when it was a rite of passage for an ESAC employee or volunteer to get stuck in the lift with a guest. We called EdCo Elevators for yet another service call and that’s when he delivered the dreaded news… “This lift is OBSOLETE”. They were no longer manufacturing parts for the lift and it would need replacing. Let’s add that quote to the “FACILITY” folder, too.

Thanks to the Single Tax Corporation and the Alabama State Council on the Arts, ESAC has "LIFTED AND LIGHTENED UP THE ARTS!!!" Over the past summer, all of the Academy studios were upgraded to LED lights, saving us on our utility bill and shining light on our amazing student work! Two days ago, our new lift was installed and it has already been used by one guest, a student, and ESAC staff for the latest exhibit installation. Although "Ballast Removal" and "Lift Installation" don't sound as exciting as "Glass Blowing" and "Wild Clay Expedition", this project has helped us to continue our vitally important mission to provide ACCESS TO THE ARTS FOR ALL!!
Reanna Watson
Reanna Watson
Academy Director