North Port Art Center Needs a New Home

Moving to North Port 20 years ago and choosing this to be the place to raise a young family was a tough decision to make.  We needed a hometown to match our financial needs while checking absolutely every box available for safety and good education choices.  We wanted to see a city grow to meet the needs of its citizens while respecting nature and wide-open green spaces so everyone could spread out and not feel confined like they do in big, crowded cities.  By any measure, North Port has exceeded most of our expectations.

In the beginning years of finding fun, affordable activities for young children, we often traveled to Venice or Sarasota for more options.  But one stable location in North Port that has always provided excellent camps and opportunities for budding artists in the area is the North Port Art Center.  Once we discovered their free art classes provided on Saturdays, our weekends were booked.  The kids loved the structure the center provided while getting to make some incredible pieces of art, worthy of a mother hanging onto for 20 years.  Clay pieces that became bowls and holders for our possessions like rings and keys were valued way beyond their financial worth because our kid made them.  Beautiful and intricate geometry projects involving popsicle sticks became plant holders and are still with us to this day.  The North Port Art Center has hosted many wonderful art shows, galas and community events over the years.  Our summers filled up with fun art camps with friends and a day at the art center was always something to look forward to.

Now, as an adult and teacher in the community, I am happy to hold onto ties with the North Port Art Center, including being a part of their school program, where they come into our special needs school and work wonderfully with our students once a month.  Recently, I arranged for a couple of our students to attend a Saturday class to promote their confidence in new social settings.  Of course, the art center was so welcoming to me and my students.  Afterall, the art center has always been a beacon of creativity and inclusivity.  And now, the North Port Art Center needs our help.

After 17 years in their current location at Sam Shapos Way in North Port, damage from recent hurricanes is causing the art center to vacate their current location.  Both buildings they are utilizing now will be demolished and the art center needs a new home.  One possibility being discussed with the City of North Port is possible temporary usage of the Scout House, which is just across the parking lot from the art center but poses special issues as it is quite a bit smaller.  Other options include the construction of a new North Port Art Center in the same footprint it holds now except a second story would be added for much needed additional space.  Sufficient parking would require using some of the green space that is adjacent to the center. 

Whichever direction the city and art center take to make sure art for all continues in North Port, efforts will include grass roots fund-raising within the community citizens and businesses.  So many of us have felt the positive effects that art provides for our children, our souls and enriching the lives of our citizens.  Many of us are ready to help the North Port Art Center continue this exceptional tradition of nurturing our artistic ways and we would love to invite everyone to take a moment and read the latest developments on their eventual relocation.  If you are able, please consider donating your time, talents, or monetary considerations to keep NPAC going strong for us all.  For more information on how you can help, please visit What’s Happening Now – NORTH PORT ART CENTER.

 Photos courtesy of North Port Art Center Facebook page.