Happy 60th Bday: Beach Art Association gains Citizens of Distinction award
The Fort Myers Beach Art Association is comprised of an “easy-going, fun-loving and art-loving bunch of down-to-earth friendly folks,” according to a self-description on their website.
They can now add ‘award-winning’ to that personal title.
On Tuesday, Jan. 17, the Fort Myers Beach Town Council approved the local art association as the recipient of the Citizens of Distinction Arts and Culture Award for its efforts, dedication and investment to the Beach community. The group, which is comprised of about 190 members, will be recognized at the Feb. 21 Town Council meeting.
The Fort Myers Beach Art Association was founded in 1951 when artists met in a chickee hut on the beachfront. After two temporary homes, land was purchased on the corner of Donora and Shell Mound boulevards where their current home sits. That building was built in 1968 and houses the working artists who are instrumental to further art education in the community.
“This recognition reflects our being a long-time organization that has been here long enough to own our own facility, which is a wonderful place to work,” said FMBAA President Meg Bushnell. “The building is full of light and space for artists to work and a real attribute for the Beach.”
Town officials also selected Bryanna Walker, age 14, to the Citizens of Distinction Youth Award of Merit. Beach Elementary School Principal Larry Wood nominated her.
Bryanna attended the Beach school from second to fifth grade and moved on to Lexington Middle School where she has collected a laundry list of distinctions. They included high honor rolls within advanced IB program classes; a member of the National Junior Honor Society; Kiwanis Builder’s Treasurer; school district recognition for Pride & Patriotism poetry and Constitution essay winner; Junior Thespian Society member; and theater and voice selections (including two-year invite to Hammond Stadium National Anthem and New Jersey High School ceremonies.)
According to Town records, the awards annually recognize outstanding citizens, groups, organizations or businesses that have brought credit to the town. Council adopted the program on Aug. 15, 2011.
The purpose of the Fort Myers Beach Art Association – a volunteer, nonprofit organization which recently turned 60 years old-is to promote the study, practice and appreciation of art, hold art exhibitions and programs that are open to the public and encourage art instruction of children and junior artists.
“We bring people from all over the United States and Canada together to enjoy what we like to do best, which is create, create and create,” said Bushnell. “Our members all have to work together to keep the association going. It is a truly all-volunteer organization. That means you have to take on some responsibility when you join.
Members of the Beach Art Association have offered assistance and worked with students at Beach Elementary. The recent plein air festival entitled “Paint the Beach” is one good example of students learning how to use watercolors to paint in the outdoors.
The local art association has also provided scholarships to senior high school students who wish to pursue a visual arts education in an accredited school beyond the secondary level. Cypress Lake High art students have benefited by competing with portfolio work that is hung and judged in the FMBAA gallery. A partnership with the Town enables the group to secure funds to provide awards for the cause.
In the nomination letter written by Mary Bushnell, the Fort Myers Beach Art Association has a long history of Town contributions with its programs, events and culture that has “enhanced tourism, volunteerism, created benefits to children and adults.” The organization is supported by member art sales, various workshops, classes and membership fees.
“We work to keep the doors open by trying to keep our dues low, so we have opportunities for artists to sell during the year, said Bushnell, who noted the next sale will take place at Century 21 TriPower Realty (across from DiamondHead Resort) on Feb. 12. “People can stop by, meet the artists and find art pieces that represent the Beach and our homes.”
For more information on the Beach Art Association, call 463-3909.