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's the oldest non-profit art group in the area. This means it has been around for a long time, helping the community enjoy and create art. The BAL puts on exciting art shows and offers art classes for both kids and adults. They also have their own collection of artworks, mostly made by artists from the local area.
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The Story of the Beaumont Art League
The Beaumont Art League started in 1943. A group of artists met every week at Robert Stapp's studio. They wanted to create a group to encourage and grow fine arts in the Sabine area. Some of the first members were Will-Amelia Sterns Price and Tom Tierney.
Early Days and First Shows
By 1944, the group moved to the YWCA building. This is where they held their very first art exhibition. After that, they continued to host yearly shows for their members. They also brought in traveling art shows. The league organized workshops and lectures too. Famous national artists like Frederic Taubes and Jacob Getlar Smith taught at their summer art camps.
Creating a Museum
In 1949, the art league worked hard to raise money. They wanted to rent a house and open a museum. This led to the creation of the Beaumont Art Museum. It opened in 1950 and is now known as the Art Museum of Southeast Texas. For many years, the Beaumont Art League helped organize many of the museum's activities.
Finding a Permanent Home
In 1956, a kind couple, Colonel Sanford Perry Brown and his wife, donated money. This money was used to build a special art building. It was called the Brown Gallery and was located at the Fairgrounds in North Beaumont.
In the late 1950s and early 1960s, the league moved around a few times. But the museum stayed at the Brown Gallery. In 1967, the Browns gave more money for a second building. This new building was named the Scurlock Gallery. The Beaumont Art League moved back into these buildings in 1968. They have been there ever since! The museum later moved to its current home in downtown Beaumont in 1987.
Big Art Exhibitions
In 1962, the league held its first "Tri-State Exhibition." This show brought in amazing art from Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. Later, in 1998, this event grew even bigger. It became the "BAL National Exhibition." Now, every year, artists from all over the United States send their artwork to be part of this special show.
