New lighting has been installed and more greenery went in thanks to Espalier Landscaping! The front looked fantastic for April Art Walk! Now for some more painting…
CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
ART BUILDS COMMUNITY
THANK YOU TO THOSE WHO HAVE DONATED!
Progress Update:
The front of the building has been freshly painted white, new trees have been delivered, and the sidewalk poured… Looks like a mischievous little puppy has made some sweet little paw prints too!
Laying in the new brick pavers…
1) Roger Guilian of Volkert, Inc. presents a $1,000 donation to the Eastern Shore Art Association’s Capital Campaign to ESAC Executive Director Bryant Whelan.
2-3) Assembling the new pavilion…
Laying in the footers for the pillars that will hold up the new awning…
Pouring cement for the serpentine wall…
Getting down and dirty! The front lawn has officially been dug up. Visitors can enter through the side Academy entrance or we have added temporary accessibility ramp to the main level during construction.
Bruce Larsen’s sculpture at the entrance to ESAC is being carefully disassembled to be moved indoors during our renovations to the front of the facility. When asked about the name “Woodie” given to the heron sculpture by women associated with the Art Center, Bruce said he generally does not name them. But that they are like children to him.
The awning and sign above our studio entrance is also getting revamped!
November 6 Release:
Eastern Shore Art Center Breaks Ground on $500,000 Renovation and New Outdoor Space
Area supporters and dignitaries gathered Monday morning to break ground on a new outdoor plaza for the Eastern Shore Art Center in Fairhope. Board president Gaye Lindsay recognized the chairs of the capital campaign, Jack and Jolane Edwards, who announced an additional pledge to help the center in reaching their $500,000 goal. Matching funds of $200,000 offered by the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation have been met through funding from the Poarch Band of Creek Indians and other many corporate and individual donations. Lindsey noted that the center still needs to raise another $40,000 to complete the planned renovations and encouraged community donations.
Recently appointed executive director Bryant Whelan said, “The art center is a crown jewel of the Eastern Shore and should be a source of pride of everyone in the community as they drive by or visit. Today marks an exciting day for building community through art.” Pitman Brown Building Company will begin construction this month, and the renovation is expected to be completed by March 1, 2018.
To donate to our Capital Campaign, click below:
I want to help ESAC!
A knee wall has been added above the Courtyard Gallery’s exhibit space. This will aid in soundproofing and increasing storage space.
The ceilings have come down and the new ones are in place for our next exhibit!
Join us for Art Walk next week to see the final product! New insulation, ceiling tiles, track lighting, and event lighting!!
Insulation and ceiling tiles have been replaced in our Woolley and Wilson galleries. Event lighting has been added and track lighting for the artwork is currently going up as we speak!
Aaaaaaand a new ventilation system has been added in the clay studio!
The Woolley Gallery is the first of three galleries to get renovated! The Woolley, Wilson and Whiting Galleries are all getting new ceiling tiles, insulation and lighting. We can’t wait to see the final product!
Capital Campaign
Our Art Center has served us so well over the past 50 years, but now it is time for us to face some serious and long overdue facility issues. We have embarked on a $500,000 capital campaign to address the necessary improvements to our facility!
Improvements through the Campaign
- Bring mechanical, electrical and other systems up to peak efficiency
- Create a stunning entrance and facade befitting the Art Center
- Provide greater access for handicapped members of the community
- Improve the Art Center’s layout for better flow through the galleries
- Address health, safety, and comfort issues in the galleries and classrooms
ESAC yesterday...
The Eastern Shore Art Association was founded in 1954 by a group of local artists and art patrons who recognized the importance of art to a meaningful and full community life. Construction began that same year on a one room gallery on the site of the former Pinewood Pottery Studio that had operated in Fairhope for over twenty years making functional ceramics from local clay.
ESAC today...
The Art Center has continued to grow in the same location over the past 60 years to a facility that houses five exhibit galleries and four teaching studios. ESAC now includes among its activities monthly exhibits; quarterly classes for adults and children; an annual outdoor show; monthly Art Walks; outreach programs for assisted living residents and children and adults with disabilities and chronic illnesses; and extensive programs for both public art and arts education in local schools.
ESAC tomorrow!
Among other improvements, we will use the funds from this campaign to:
- Replace our inadequate heating and cooling systems with an energy efficient HVAC system that will insure the necessary humidity level required for an art gallery
- Contruct an exciting new entrance that will include a beautifully landscaped plaza, creating an area for public events and off-street handicap parking
- Update the lighting and acoustics in the galleries to display our exhibits in the best way possible
- Upgrade our security system to include surveillance and smoke detection, which is necessary to bring the facility up to code
How you can help
Donate, donate, donate! The Fairhope Single Tax Corporation has pledged their support in the form of a $200,000 matching grant. Plus, the ESAC board and other benefactors have already generously donated over $60,000 towards this project! Click the button below, select one of the donations in the Donation Shop, or call 928-2228 ext. 100 to give to the campaign!
Donation Shop
Some people assume that the Art Center is owned and maintained by the City, but is is not. For more than 50 years ESAC has been the epicenter for the arts on the Eastern Shore through grant funding, contributions, memberships, and fundraising activities. The facility is owned by the Association and governed by its volunteer board of directors.
You can show your support for the Art Center and all of its programs; first through membership, and then by making a contribution to the Capital Campaign – a contribution will be matched by the Fairhope Single Tax Corporation dollar for dollar.
Naming opportunities
ESAC has established the following naming opportunities for major contributors. This is a chance to receive ongoing recognition for your financial support of the Art Center, or to publicly honor a family member. Options include:
Courtyard Gallery (lower level exhibit space) $250,000Claimed!- Front plaza $100,000
- Front entrance pavilion $50,000
- Studio $25,000 1 Claimed, 2 Remaining!
- Pottery studio ventilation system $5,000
Handicap parking area $5,000Claimed!- Outdoor benches $5,000/bench 1 Claimed!
- Gallery benches $3,000/bench 1 Claimed!
Thank you for your faith in and support of the Eastern Shore Art Center, and thank you for any contributions you may make. We’re so excited about this project and hope you are too!