ORANGE PARK — Phyllis Renninger walked through the building at 440 McIntosh Ave. with a renewed sense of purpose watching an artistic vision come to life.
As president of the Art Guild of Orange Park, she prides herself in creating opportunities for local visual fine artists to shine. On Thursday, Jan. 22, that mission will be made a reality.
After more than 50 years of serving the Northeast Florida’s art community, the 501 (c) (3) nonprofit will be cutting the ribbon on the Art Guild Gallery, a permanent art gallery and museum in Orange Park. It will be the only public art gallery and museum currently operating in Clay County, making it a momentous milestone.
“Our goal is to really educate and make this a lifetime generational love of art in our area and for people to know that you don’t have to go to the biggest city,” Renninger said. “You don’t have to go to the beach to find a beautiful piece of art. We have it right here.”
Within the gallery, art from Guild members will line the walls and shelves. The building’s main floor will house pieces available for purchase, many by artists who have won prestigious awards. The upstairs portion will include the works of historical figures, as well as information on Guild projects and the annual Courtenay Hunt Scholarship Fund.
The scholarship, in honor of the prominent Orange Park artist, recognizes high school art students who plan to pursue arts in college.
While majority of art guilds specialize in watercolor artists, Renninger said, theirs will be different, highlighting a large variety of visual art pieces, including pottery, glass, paintings and photography. Displays will also rotate on a set schedule.
Some exhibits will be themed and judged for awards. Renninger said the gallery will also have sponsorship opportunities.
The Art Guild of Orange Park was founded in 1973 as a support network for local artists. Eight artists met to form a multi-media art group, drawing up a framework for what was then called the “Fine Arts Guild of Orange Park.”
Currently, there are more than 80 artists involved in the organization, with a mission to promote visual fine arts and culture in Clay, Northeast Florida and neighboring communities. Their work can be seen all over the county in countless murals and projects.
Although the Art Guild has been around for 53 years, talks about having an official building to call home began 20 years ago, Renninger said.
“[We] just never did find the right connection,” she said. “Probably, about five years ago, I got a grant to restore this building and in restoring it, this auditorium opened up. So, we approached the town to see if they would let us do a lease.”
The grant paid for the restoration of the building’s track lighting, ceiling, paint, floor and railing. It was originally the town’s only Black schoolhouse. Theresa Miller was the first principal at T.C. Elementary School in 1938. In addition to the museum, the building is also home to the Clay County Youth Character Building Program.
Renninger said it was a long process to obtain the space, which included meetings with the town’s Culture and Recreation Committee and council. Additionally, as the group had never had a museum or gallery, she said it was important to find a model of what the venture would look like.
“We had a committee formed of people who used to own or run galleries. That committee went around and visited lots of different galleries in Gainesville, St. Pete, Jacksonville, Ponte Vedra, Fernandina. We went everywhere,” Renninger said.
“We wanted to see what everyone was doing and then interview the people that were there and ask them, ‘What are the things that you really feel do well and what things do you wish that you had,” said Art Guild Consultant Sarah Sawyer.
They went as far as the Carolinas to research and formulate the perfect place. And, in a fit of fate, Renninger said when a Jacksonville art store went out of business, they were able to obtain furniture, including the signature slatwall panels.
“We decided we really like that whole look, and we keep our gallery gray and natural. So, that got us rolling on style, colors,” she said.
Various committees forged to make the museum a reality. One where dozens of local artists are able to showcase their skillful talents and continue crafting a world of meaning and endless possibilities.
The doors to the gallery will open at 3 p.m. on Jan. 22. Volunteers will run the gallery and museum, which will be open Monday through Saturday, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.