The Island Art Association, located at 18 North 2nd Street in Fernandina Beach, is celebrating 50 years this year. Located in the Historic District’s busy downtown, it is a virtual hub of creative energy. On any given day, the two-building complex vibrates with artistic activity. Its gallery displays a variety of art, including jewelry, pottery, and a wide variety of hanging art. The busy adjacent education center serves as a classroom, meeting center, and social gathering place for its members.
In the late 1960s, like-minded artists met weekly at Amelia Island’s Recreation Center. Daniel McCranie, a local attorney, invited the artists to display their artwork in the Old Schoolhouse, which operates today as a boutique hotel.
The growing group of artists displayed their art at the old train depot on Centre Street, now home to the Amelia Island Welcome Center, at the annual Shrimp Boat Festival in 1971. The art show grew steadily, soon taking up four whole blocks downtown, and featuring over 100 exhibitors. In the 1970s, a fuel crisis forced the shrimp boats to discontinue their traditional yearly race on the first weekend of May.
The focus of the weekend then shifted toward the festival’s arts and crafts show, which currently features close to 400 juried artists. Other attractions have been added to the Shrimp Festival, including the Pirate Parade, musical entertainment, a Kid’s Fun Zone, and lots of food vendors serving up fresh local shrimp any way you like it, making it the largest outdoor festival in the Southeast.
As the festival grew, it became apparent that an organization was needed to manage and run it. That was the beginning of what is now the Island Art Association (IAA). The current IAA continues to run the arts-and-crafts portion of what is now called the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival, which, despite all efforts, is still referred to as just the Shrimp Festival.
FINDING A HOME FOR THE ISLAND’S ARTISTS
The Island Art Association has had many homes before finally settling into the eye-catching mosaic-laced building on North 2nd Street. The first gallery was called “Upstairs” and it was located on the second floor of Allen’s Department Store on Centre Street. It soon moved to street level in what is now the Go Fish store. The gallery remained on Centre Street for 22 years. Anticipating more growth, the organization began to search for a bigger space. Old-timers will remember Maggie’s Diner, with its distinctive black-and-white décor on North 2nd Street. The diner and two adjacent lots were purchased, and in March 2001, the new gallery space was officially opened.
Ten years later, the Education Center opened. The large flexible room offers a great opportunity for a wide variety of uses. There are workshops, drop-in art sessions, and free monthly children’s and adult classes. During the summer months, art venues and children’s art camps are available at little or no cost to the participants. World-renowned artists offer workshops in the welcoming classroom.
The gallery building is a work of art in-itself. The so-called Mosaic Project was inspired by member artist Denise Murphy, who visited the Hunter Wasser Karinna House in Vienna, which is famous for its colorful facade. The year-long project started in 2012 and was a true team effort. Bits and pieces of pottery, china, and memorabilia were incorporated into the stunning winding mosaic trail wrapping the gallery building.
The garden/terrace in front of the Education Center and next to the gallery serves a variety of purposes, including receptions and even chess games. When artist member Joe Winston dreamed of a giant chessboard, the gallery members jumped in. Artists were challenged to adopt a chess piece and paint a unique design. Half the chess pieces were in the blue/green/purple color scheme, and the other half in yellow/orange/red colors. To finish off the open space, benches were added, and artist-decorated fence posts were placed, creating an art garden.
A BUZZING HIVE OF ARTISTIC ACTIVITY
Something is always happening at the gallery. The IAA includes 48 exhibiting artists, who all volunteer their talents to support some aspect of the gallery. There are calls for new artists when there are openings available. You don’t have to be an artist to become an Associate Member of IAA. More than 200 associates enjoy the benefits of membership and involvement in the activities of the busy organization. A weekly news blast coordinated by Susan McGrath updates all members and associates on gallery activities as well as community arts happenings.
A popular program, Nouveau Art, invites community members to submit artwork. It is a themed, juried show, displayed in a designated gallery. Prize money is awarded, and a reception and presentation are held. Every March is dedicated to student artists, with a special display celebrating their talent.
Although the primary display space is the gallery, other opportunities have been open to members and the community. At one time, First Coast Community Bank displayed artists’ works and sponsored receptions. A current relationship with Baptist Nassau Hospital has brightened up the busy hospital’s walls with a variety of original artwork.
The Education Center is constantly busy with free art movies, drop-in studio sessions, and free artist demonstrations. Various community activities use it as a meeting place, including ukulele and photography groups.
The energy and creativity of gallery members emerged again when faced with the challenges of Covid and a closed gallery and Education Center. Member artist Sharon Haffey created a “Bridge Over Troubled Water” project. A call was made for contributors to submit 8 in. by 8 in. squares, which were then put together in a quilt format. The colorful artwork was displayed in the gallery’s front windows for people to enjoy safely.
A VITAL MEMBER OF THE AMELIA ISLAND COMMUNITY
Many fundraising projects through the years have challenged IAA members. A “Chair-ity Auction” offering artfully painted chairs raised $3,000. Soon after, another auction offering decorated mirrors raised additional money to compensate for Covid losses.
The Island Art Association is more than a group of artists creating. It is a vital member of the arts community, contributing in many ways. Yearly grants totaling $13,250 are made to Nassau County art teachers. Annual scholarships totaling $6,000 are awarded to local high school seniors. Free art classes are offered to the Council on Aging, Leadership Nassau, and the two Boys and Girls Clubs of Nassau County.
Richard Restiano, president of the Nassau Council of Arts and Culture, shares: “The Island Arts Association is a first-class act. Some things in a community you may take for granted, but this is far and above, a community gem and a testament to the arts.”
Based on the model of IAA, Restiano is spearheading a West Nassau Arts Alliance that will bring together 40-plus artists in the towns of Callahan, Bryceville, Hilliard and Yulee to create new visibility and opportunity for artists in those communities.
SPECIAL CELEBRATIONS IN THE COMING MONTHS
Many activities throughout the year have celebrated or will celebrate the gallery’s 50th anniversary. Exhibiting members Gwen Cowart and Barb Wylie coordinated the “Big 5-0 Project,” a compilation of artwork created by 80 community members to commemorate this impressive accomplishment. The completed collage can be seen in the courtyard at 18 N. 2nd Street.
Lis Krawiecki, current president and president for the coming year, shared plans for a celebratory fundraiser at the Luna Gallery at the Courtyard by Marriott/Springhill Suites. The fundraiser will feature donated artwork from each of the gallery’s exhibiting artists, which will be available for sale at the event through the end of the year.
“We are so excited to be able to showcase the wonderful and varied work of our artists at the Luna Gallery,” says Lis. “We are a non-profit organization promoting the arts in Nassau County and we want to involve more business and community partners. With continuing support, we hope to be able to add more art mediums, such as pottery, glass, wood, and metal to our educational programs. You don’t have to be an artist to support the arts!”
Local artist and member, Sharon Haffey, compiled the history of the IAA in a book, “Celebrating Island Art Association: A History of the First 50 Years,” which was dedicated to Georganna Mullis, a Charter Member of the IAA, who, after 50 years, still inspires her fellow artists. The book is available for sale at the gallery and is given to all new members.
“Watching the Island Art Association grow and prosper has been an important part of my artistic life,” shares Georganna. “Members, both hanging artists and associates, continue to jump in and do the organization’s work, especially the annual Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival art show.” A video is being produced that tells the gallery’s story, including interviews with key members and featuring gallery activities.
The Island Art Association is more than a gallery. It is part of the lifeblood of a thriving and growing community. It is vital to the Isle of Eight Flags Shrimp Festival’s yearly success. It contributes to the arts in many ways, focusing on encouraging and supporting artists of all ages.