GALVESTON ART LEAGUE: PROMOTING VISUAL ARTS FOR MORE THAN A CENTURY

Ambition runs high at the Galveston Art League, a community force supporting
visual arts since its founding on June 12, 1914.
The organization recently experienced two significant growth spurts. In
2016, the Art League opened a second gallery, this one at 611 Sixth St.
N. in Texas City. And this year the league took the plunge on an expansion
to its well-established gallery at 2117A Postoffice St. in Galveston by
purchasing the adjacent storefront at 2119 Postoffice St. Renovations will
soon merge the Postoffice spaces into one multifunctional site that plays
host to exhibitions, workshops, receptions, and children’s summer camps
as well as a small store for logo merchandise and other artsy items.
As these major changes have occurred, the Galveston Art League
hasn’t veered from its mission to promote art and art education throughout
Galveston County and neighboring areas. That was the original aim,
more than a century ago, of a group of women led by Frances Kirk, superintendent
of drawing for public schools in the city of Galveston. To that
end, the founders quickly began holding juried competitions, with the first
in 1915.
These competitions continue today, with three held annually at each
gallery. The league also holds juried children’s art shows at its Galveston
site. In addition, both galleries host monthly exhibits in which members
display paintings, drawings, sculpture, collage, jewelry, and other artworks
for sale to the public.
The organization, which is the oldest continuously operating membership-
based art league in Texas, is operated solely by volunteers. Because
of its nonprofit status, contributions are tax-deductible.
The Art League depends on community support through the sale of artwork,
membership dues, fees from participants in educational workshops,
contributions to its building fund, donations of materials for its programs,
and proceeds from tickets sold for varied events, including an annual gala.
This year’s gala, to be held at the San Luis Hotel on Seawall Boulevard in
Galveston, is scheduled for Oct. 6 and celebrates the theme “An Evening
of Art & Music.”
Both league galleries are open to the public from noon to 6 p.m. Thursdays
through Sundays. Both participate in their cities’ ArtWalks, offering
refreshments to visitors and shoppers who stroll through their galleries
during extended evening hours.
To access further information about the Galveston Art League, please
visit GalvestonArtLeague.com. The website also offers detailed information
about juried competitions, membership, volunteer opportunities, and
participating in league endeavors in other ways.