Art Center for the Islands

The idea for the Art Center for the Islands was begun in l995 and l996 with Ann Adams and Cheryl Grundy. 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 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.
Classes:
- Drop In and Draw Class. learn to draw or improve your skills.
- Soft Pastels.
- Oil Painting. We’ll teach the basics of Oil Painting and the use of Color. The Basics in Oil will be brush techniques, color washes, blending and mixing paint, use of a palette knife in painting and more.
- Beginning/Intermediate Watercolor,
Workshops: Jewelry Workshops, Pottery Workshop, Watercolor Workshop.
Come in to learn to draw, view & collect.