About Us :
The Associated Artists of Southport is a non-profit organization dedicated to the cultural enrichment of the community by providing educational opportunities and promoting original art. Franklin Square Gallery is the home of the Association and a pottery studio is located on the grounds of the Gallery. Art classes and workshops in various media, taught by local and national instructors, are held at the Gallery and are open to the public. Drawing class and painting classes are conducted Monday through Friday. Pottery and painting classes are conducted in conjunction with Brunswick Community College.
Works by regional and local artists are exhibited at Franklin Square Gallery. A national exhibit is held each July. In 2002 the Association, in partnership with the North Carolina Museum of Art, sponsored a touring exhibition of photographs. This program was presented in collaboration with the Brunswick County Arts Council, which has an office in the Gallery.
The Associated Artists of Southport is a partner with cultural and grassroots community groups. Brunswick County Arts Council and the Robert Rurak Society sponsor judged art shows at the Gallery. The Oak Island Quilters have an annual exhibit at the Gallery featuring challenge squares. The annual Brunswick County Photography Contest sponsored by Brunswick County Parks and Recreation is displayed at the Gallery. Franklin Square Gallery is part of Southport’s Annual Christmas Tour of Homes. Kid’s Art Day is a community fun day sponsored by the Association, Brunswick County Parks and Recreation, and Southport Parks and Recreation. All activities are free and open to the public. Artwork from individual members of the Association is donated to non-profit organizations for fundraisers and Association members serve as instructors, speakers, and judges for local schools and organizations. Judges are selected from the membership to participate in school events during the celebration of Martin Luther King Day. Art books and tapes are donated to the Library.
The Association promotes the Arts in the Brunswick County Public School System and displays students’ art throughout the school year. Art classes for children of the community are partially funded by grants from the Brunswick Arts Council and Brunswick County Community Foundation.
The Association has the luxury to devote itself, from time to time, to special projects benefiting the community, because the City of Southport has generously given it the use of Franklin Square Gallery. "Artists for Flood Relief" was held at the Gallery in 1999 to benefit victims of hurricane Floyd. Empty Bowls was held in 2000 and 2002 to benefit the hungry in Brunswick County. A fundraiser for the New York City disaster of September 11, 2001, assisted affected firefighters.
The building that currently houses the Franklin Square Gallery is located in a grove of stately live oaks at 130 E. West Street in Southport, NC. It was built to serve as a school and did so from 1904 to 1930. It served a variety of community needs, including City Hall, community building, and library from 1930 to 1978. In 1979, the building became an art gallery and has been operated by the Associated Artists of Southport for the past 25 years. The Association is responsible for maintaining and operating the Gallery and Pottery Studio. The City of Southport provides the buildings and maintains the exteriors. The Gallery is truly a unique cooperative endeavor among the artists, the City of Southport, and all citizens, both permanent and visiting.
