Introduction

The Beaumont Art League has served the Southeast Texas community since 1943. Started by a small group of dedicated artists, the BAL has grown into a large local arts organization. Our facilities are located at the old Fairgrounds in Beaumont.

As stated in our bylaws, our objectives are:

1. To promote interest in the fine arts;
2. To promote education in art appreciation throughout the community; and,
3. To encourage laypeople and artists to create, exhibit, and enjoy art and art objects.

Our Vision

Over the last 70 years, we have been a home in Southeast Texas for both those who appreciate art and those who art artists themselves. We hope to do the same for the next 70 years by engaging the local artist and art-lover community with exciting programs, educational opportunities, and exhibitions of notable local and national artists.

Events and Programs

The BAL generally hosts one or two events per month, with show openings coordinated as practical with other local galleries so people can attend several openings on the same evening. Our shows include:

• The BAL National (formerly Tri-State), a competitive juried show that attracts art from all over the country;
• The BAL Membership Show, a juried show specifically for member artists;
• Annual shows for portraiture, classical figures, and 3D works;
• The Permanent Collection Show, where we display works selected from our collection;
• The Membership Award Show, a one-man show provided to Best in Show winner of the Membership Show; and
• Various shows highlighting the works of various individual artists and groups of artists with ties to the local community.

We also serve as hosts annually for the Beaumont Camera Club’s member show and the Neches River Festival art show. In 2013, for the first time we’re hosting a show coordinated with the National Council on Education for the Ceramic Arts (NCECA), which will coincide with other shows at The Art Studio and the Art Museum of Southeast Texas locally as well as the national NCECA show in Houston.

In addition to juried shows and invitationals, the BAL also hosts a number of workshops, classes, and regular open studio sessions for local and regional artists who are looking to hone their skills. Topics cover a wide range of media and interests.

Facilities

Our complex consists of two buildings. The main building houses our offices, the Brown Gallery, and our kitchen. The secondary building contains the Scurlock Gallery, a classroom, and our permanent collection archives.

Brown Gallery

The Brown Gallery, constructed in 1956, is in the main building which also houses our offices. The gallery consists of over 1,420 square feet of floor space and 230 linear feet of wall space available for artwork.

Scurlock Gallery

The Scurlock Gallery, constructed in 1967, is in the secondary building, which also houses our classroom. It is connected to the main building via a small garden atrium. This is the larger of the two galleries, with tall ceilings and 2,900 square feet of exhibition space.

Classroom

Our classroom allows us to host workshops, classes, and open studio sessions for a dozen or more participants at a time (larger classes are generally held in the Scurlock Gallery). It is well-stocked with teaching and reference materials. Members may also reserve the space (non-exclusively) for their own art-making during office hours if no classes are in progress or being set up.

Permanent Collection

The BAL has an expansive permanent collection of over 120 incredible 2D and 3D pieces from artists across the area and around the country. The majority were acquired as purchase prizes during our annual National show (formerly the Tri-State show). We generally show a selection of these works each year in our Permanent Collection show, and various pieces are on loan or display at any given time throughout the year.

Governance

The Beaumont Art League is governed by a volunteer board of directors consisting of 6 to 15 members, plus advisory members. Board members serve a three-year term, and may hold an officer position for no more than two one-year terms. Our board is elected by the members at our annual membership meeting in June.

Financial Support

As a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity, our support comes entirely from donations, grants, membership dues, workshop and art show entry fees, and commissions on sales of art during our shows. We also hold several fundraisers each year. We are sponsored in part by The Southeast Texas Arts Council.