Head Up: ESAC Galleries Closed for Fat Tuesday

ESAC Galleries will be closed February 17th and reopen Feb 18th, so that our staff and volunteers may enjoy the Mardi Gras holiday with friends and family. Thank you!

ABOUT US | EDUCATION | EXHIBITS | SUPPORT

A Special Thank You from our Executive Director:

"Adding up all the contributions received during the Year End Campaign period, we are excited to announce that we exceeded our goal with a total of $103,990. Your generosity and support have been so impactful for ESAC. They have allowed us to continue to enrich the lives of people along the Eastern Shore and throughout the region. The Board and the staff extend their sincerest thanks!!

We are looking forward to the Outdoor Art Show and the Spring Homes Tour coming up in the next couple of months. We also remind you to check out our Spring classes and get your young folks registered for the Summer Art Bash (early registration this year!!)"

- Pat Pearce

June 2025 - January 2026 DONORS

Gifts received between June 1, 2025 and January 31, 2026.

$20,000 +

Alabama State Council on the Arts

City of Fairhope

Gaye P. Lindsey

$10,000 +

Community Foundation of South Alabama

Daniel Foundation of Alabama

Hearin/Chandler Foundation

M. W. Smith Jr. Foundation

Sybil and White Smith Foundation

$5,000 +

J. L. Bedsole Foundation

MAPP Foundation

Tom and Becky Myers

Jim and Pam Prestwood

RJJB Family Foundation

$2,500 – $4,999

Cathy and James Adams

Jack and Patti Burrell

R. C. Craft Family Foundation

John A. Ebner

Lany Simmons

Tamara’s Downtown

$1,000 – $2,499

Alabama Power Foundation

Bass & Company LLC

Allison and Wyatt Beard

Century Bank

Ann Brooks

Miles and Virginia Cook

Winky and Bill Dowdle

Lad Drago State Farm Insurance

Fox 10

Jetmundsen Foundation

Jennifer Jenkins

Rick Kingrea

Little Bird

Walt Massey Automotive Group

Michael and Margaret Neely

Prestwood Law Firm

Johnny Prewitt

Julie Shamburger

TCB Coastal Banking

George Talbot

Trustmark

$500 – $999

Jen Achee

Alabama Credit Union

Ashurst & Niemeyer

Barbara Bayer

Julio Beaton

Blue Heron Realty

Rena and Gene Bouchillon

Fran Coet

In honor of Beth Coward

Randall Davis

Fairhope Fit & Trim

Kim Garrett

Hal and Beth Greene

Infirmary Health

Jones Design and Construction

Natalie Jones

Cheryl Kametz

Klarman and Day Contractors

Level Property Management Group

Walt Massey Automotive

Morgan Stanley (The Radcliff Schatzman Group)

Pelham Pearce

SBC Properties

68 Ventures

Sneed insurance

Brad & Peri Summersell

Walcott, Adams, Verneuille Architects

Wilkins, Bankester, Biles & Wynne

Bryant and Patrick Whelan

Lynn and Cori Yonge

$250 – $499

Terry Barkin

Terry Bassett

Louis and Moren Braswell

Cathy Brumback

Brian Douglas Cheshire

Chilly’s

Martha Crenshaw

The Fairhope Inn

James Frater

Lee & Caroline Herron

John & Susan Leach

Maloney Hospitality/ Jubilee Suites

Lisette Norman

Susan Perrine

Jim and Valery Smith

Mary Ellen Stewart

$100 – $249

Debi and Bob Attorri

Daphne Utilities

Jimmie J. Duet

Jayne and Dick Edge

Eusebia Fink

Sherry Stimpson Frost

Rodney L. Henderson

Timothy Houseman

Myra Koch

Willa and Johnny Lyle

Carolyn Mayo

Eleanor Mauritson

Allen and Kimi Oaks

Press & Co.

Robert & Elsie Pritchard

Rayza’s

Riviera Utilities

Alan Rothfeder

Margaret Sellers

Stephen Savage

Larry Sims

David and Maria Spies

Ricky Trione

DONATE

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Fairhope West Elementary students let the good times roll in their Bike to School MoonPie Ride last week!

All ages were able to decorate their bikes like a Mardi Gras float! ESAC was honored to provide sketchbooks (and MoonPies!) for the event, while Cas’s Custom Creations provided give-a-way spoke beads.

GOIN' ON IN THE GIFT SHOP!

This Saturday is Valentine's Day and we've got some cute items in our Gift Shop to make up the perfect prezzie, including these adorable cherry socks by Sock Candy!

DON'T FORGET, WE STILL HAVE PIECES FOR THE MARDI GRAS SEASON AS WELL! Our Gift Shop coordinator Kayla Dean has done some special shopping just for our festive friends. Beaded earrings, watercolor paintings and more!!

ACADEMY HAPPENINGS

Spring Classes Open for Registration!

ESAC is offering a new class for Teens! "Abstract Acrylics" with Mykaela Armstrong is causing such a stir that the adults are trying to get into the class. Learn how to "control" chaotic creativity in this brand new ESAC course for ages 12 and up!

https://esartcenter.org/courses/abstract-acrylics/

Interested in more technical and traditional painting? Try Dynamic Painting with Chris Murray for ages 12 and up!

https://esartcenter.org/courses/dynamic-drawing-for-teens-2/

Summer Art Bash Camp Open for Registration!

Although the weather may be chilly, ESAC is HEATING UP WITH SUMMER ART BASH! Parents and Grandparents, synch up those calendars and get those little artists scheduled for a summer full of clay, brushes, and creativity! ACT FAST because Summer will be booked before Spring is Sprung!

For 2026, we will offer all of our old favorites like Summertime Pottery and Mixed Media while offering new courses like "Pop Up" and "Cutting Up with Collage". Teens, don't forget our teen summer intensives with Creative Writing, Paper Mache', Studio Art, and TEEN POTTERY (NEW!!)

UPDATE: SOLD OUT CAMPS:

SUMMERTIME POTTERY (Ages 5 to 8):

Weeks 2, 3, 4, and 6 have SOLD OUT!

Book spaces NOW!

Students will have the freedom to work on their own projects while also coming together for group activities that spark collective creativity. Connect with fellow teens who share your passion for art. Collaborate on projects, exchange ideas, and inspire each other’s creativity.

Artists are welcome to bring their own art supplies, projects, etc. ESAC will have a limited amount of mixed media supplies for artists to explore.

Explore the ancient art of wax-resist dyeing in a fun and approachable way. In this hands-on session, you’ll learn how to apply hot wax, layer dyes, and reveal beautiful patterns that make batik so distinctive and timeless.

All supplies are included — silk, dyes, wax, brushes, and tools. Just bring your imagination (and an apron!).

Chris Murray will guide you through the painting process step by step. By the end of the session, each participant will have a completed painting to take home. Bring your beverage of choice, be ready to paint, and have fun!

No previous experience is needed.

All supplies are provided! BYOB and Snacks!

This Workshop will explore the basic structure of the head and facial features while adding your creativity and personal design with a headpiece of your choice.

QUESTIONS ABOUT REGISTRATION?

By phone: 251-928-2228, ext. 100

By email: reanna@esartcenter.org

In person: Tuesday – Friday 10am – 4pm

CURRENT EXHIBITS

Join us for an ESAC Permanent Collection take-over of ALL galleries!

Each gallery will feature a rotating selection of pieces that were donated to ESAC over the past 70 years. Our Woolley Gallery spotlights local artist Pinky Bass and friends, with a special nod to “THREADS OF (dis)INTEGRATION” which was originally displayed at the Alabama Contemporary Art Center. A major part of that exhibit was a collaboration between Pinky and various Fairhope/Mobile artists, including two large immersive Coptic bound books.

Our Whiting Gallery focuses on the work of late artist Herman Bischoff, a long-time supporter of ESAC’s mission. Exhibited paintings show his breadth of work from horses at the polo fields to figure illustration.

Featured artists within the Permanent Collection also include: Mannie Pair, Frank Caperton, Jean Lawrence, Michael Banks and much more.

This exhibit changes out every other month and showcases various work from Artist Level members and above of the Eastern Shore Art Association.

VISIT OUR WEBSITE

ART OPPORTUNITIES

NEXT BIG ART OPPORTUNITY:

Annual Members' Juried Show

March-April 2026

ESAC would like to encourage all Artist Level Members and above to enter their artwork in this annual exhibit, to be displayed within both the Woolley and Whiting Galleries.

Important Dates for Juried Show participation >

Sat, Feb 28: Entries Received

Tues, Mar 3: Notifications Sent

Wed, Mar 4 - Thurs, Mar 5: Juried Out Artwork Pickup

Fri, Mar 6: Opening Reception, Award Announcements

Mar 6 - April 24: Exhibit on display

April 24 - 25: Exhibiting Artwork Pickup

For more info, click on the link below:

DOWNLOAD FORM

Welcome to our 2026 Juror and Judge: Kimberly Zukley!

Kimberly Zukley is a fine artist based in Mobile, Alabama. She creates works filled with strong tones of nostalgia through character, narrative, mood, and setting. It is where she uses her creativity and humor to twist plot lines and spark conversation. Kimberly studied painting and sculpture at The University of Mississippi.

READ FULL BIO HERE

Welcome, NEW Members!

Each week, we like to spotlight Members who have recently joined or renewed at the Art Center.

Thanks for your continued support:

Susie and Hank Bounds

Mary Yates

Lindsay Tucker

Beth Andrew

Brad and Linda Barker

Caroline Hall

Rhonda Breland

Dave and Joan Doolittle

Kathleen George

Nicholas Guerrero

Carolyn Mayo

Elisa Martin

Darrelyn Dunmore

Louis Zadnichek II

Claudia Davis

Rex and Camille Turner

Charlotte Spencer Smith

Marlena Arnold

Ellen and Jim Seiler

Carmen Vance

Brenda Lee Fabela-Knoell

Dakota Lindsey

Janis Foley

Helen M Henley

Membership keeps the arts alive at the

Eastern Shore Art Center.

Memberships are good for one year from the time you join and include various levels of benefits. Your support makes a difference! Through membership, you support exhibitions, educational programs, community outreach and preserve the Center’s ability to offer workshops and classes for adults and children.

JOIN NOW