Beaumont Art League facts for kids
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| Established | May 1, 1943 |
|---|---|
| Location | 2675 Gulf Street, Beaumont, Texas, USA 77703 |
| Type | Art museum |
| Collection size | 120 |
| Owner | Board of directors |
| Nearest car park | On site (no charge) |
The Beaumont Art League (BAL) is a special place for art in Beaumont, Texas. It is the oldest non-profit art group in the area. Being "non-profit" means it uses all its money to help the community.
The BAL does many cool things. It holds art shows where artists can display their work. It also has "juried shows," which means experts judge the art. The league offers art classes for both kids and adults. It also keeps a collection of art, mostly by artists from the local area.
How the Art League Started
The Beaumont Art League began in 1943. A group of artists met every week at the studio of Robert Stapp. They wanted to create a group to support fine arts and crafts. They hoped to make art more popular in the Sabine area.
Some of the first members were Will-Amelia Sterns Price and Tom Tierney. By 1944, the group moved to the YWCA. There, they held their very first art show. They continued to have yearly shows for members. They also brought in traveling art shows. The league hosted workshops and talks about art. They even had summer art camps. Famous artists like Frederic Taubes and Jacob Getlar Smith taught at these camps.
Finding a Home for Art
In 1949, the league raised money to rent a house. They used it to start the Beaumont Art Museum. This museum opened in 1950. Today, it is known as the Art Museum of Southeast Texas. The league helped organize many of the museum's activities for years.
In 1956, Colonel Sanford Perry Brown and his wife gave money for a new building. This building was called the Brown Gallery. It was located at the Fairgrounds in North Beaumont. The league moved around a few times in the late 1950s and early 1960s. But the museum stayed at the Brown Gallery.
The Browns gave more money for a second building in 1967. It was named the Scurlock Gallery. The league moved back to these buildings in 1968. They have been there ever since. The museum grew and moved to other buildings. In 1987, it found its current home in downtown Beaumont.
Bringing Art from All Over
In 1962, the league started the first Tri-State Exhibition. This show brought art from Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. It was a big event for artists in the region.
In 1998, this exhibition became even bigger. It was renamed the BAL National Exhibition. Now, it brings in art from all over the United States each year. This helps many artists share their work. It also lets people see amazing art from different places.
