History
In the late summer of 1963, the Art Department of the Women's Department Club began looking around for a Community Improvement Project. Either Mrs. Lola Louden, Mrs. Agnes Becker, or both, came up with the suggestion of establishing an Art Center or an Art Gallery for Lawrence County.
At the first meeting were Elizabeth Vaught, Charlie Crawford, Hazel Pickens, Lola Lauden, Agnes Becker, Pearl Rout, chairman of the Art Department and others. The first decision was to hold an Arts & Crafts show in November of 1963.
The original committee from the Art Department hoped to find a permanent location for an Art Center. The Chamber of Commerce expressed their pleasure at the prospect of having such a center in Bedford.
The first show was held at 812 16th Street, Bedford. It was open for 9 days and brought into focus many talents that were largely unknown within the community. With over 40 participating artists, more than hundred paintings, along with many ceramics & stone carvings, were exhibited.
During the last evening of the show, a small group of workers sat discussing the show and the possibility of actually establishing an Art Association. They appointed a couple of temporary officers: Agnes Becker as chairman and Elizabeth Vaught as treasurer.
On a cold and snowy night in January of 1964, about 15 hardy and dedicated individuals met at the home of the Vaughts and established the Lawrence County Art Association. The first officers were: Charles Crawford, president; Ralph Callahan, first vice president; Nelson Sears, second vice president; Betty Owens, recording secretary; Dorothy Chase, corresponding secretary; and Elizabeth Vaught, treasurer.
