Lake County Museum of Art facts for kids
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| Established | 1995 |
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| Location | 213 W Ruby Street Avenue Tavares, Florida |
| Type | Art museum |
The Lake County Museum of Art (LCMA) opened its doors in 1995. It shows off amazing artwork from artists who live nearby, in the region, and across the country. You can see both historic art (from the past) and contemporary art (from today). LCMA is special because it was the very first museum in Lake County completely focused on visual art.
Contents
Museum History
Early Years and Growth
In 1995, a group of 66 artists and art lovers started the Lake Eustis Center of the Arts. They wanted to share culture and beauty. It was located in an old store building from 1881 in downtown Eustis.
Soon, they changed the name to the Lake Eustis Museum of Art (LEMA). They promised to show and collect fine art. The museum quickly began holding exhibitions and art events. They also had special art programs just for children and fun field trips for adults.
As more people joined and volunteered, the museum grew. In 2004, LEMA needed more space. So, it moved to a bigger building across from Eustis City Hall.
New Programs and Recognition
Around 2009, LEMA started asking for a small donation to visit the gallery if you weren't a member. The museum also joined important groups like the AAM. This helped them connect with other museums.
From 2009 to 2010, the museum's collection of art grew a lot. LEMA was even nominated for an award for its community work. One very important exhibit showed art made by talented autistic young people. The museum also started offering guided tours.
LEMA began a national competition for paper artworks in 2009. Adult painters continued their weekly art sessions at the museum. The museum also created the Bonnie Gillespie Reference Library. This library has many art reference books for people to use. A special group called the FRIENDS Literary Guild also meets monthly to discuss art-related books.
The museum also offered art classes for students who learn at home. They even had a 10-week class for adults to learn sketching. In 2009, LEMA partnered with the Central Florida Water Color Society. Together, they put on art exhibits at City Hall.
New Leadership and Location
In 2012, Richard D. Colvin became the new director of LEMA. He used to be a curator at the Art & History Museums in Maitland. Later in 2012, LEMA moved to a new home. This new spot was right on Lake Eustis in Ferran Park.
Since then, the museum has held many popular exhibits. These included shows by museum members and famous artists. They also had a special exhibit about the artist Catherine Haynes Stockwell. More people joined the museum, and adult art classes became very popular.
The museum also held successful fundraising events. These included a "Wine-A-Fare" and a fun 1950s dance. LEMA also became more involved in local events in downtown Eustis. They even worked with the Chamber of Commerce for a big event in Ferran Park.
Renaming and Current Home
In April 2019, LEMA had to leave its home in Ferran Park. The museum then teamed up with the Herbert Lehner Foundation. This led to a new name: the Lake County Museum of Art (LCMA).
The LCMA reopened in June 2019 in its new location in Tavares. The first exhibit in the new space featured art by Liz Wincup.
