ORGANIZED:
The San Angelo Art Club, a non-profit incorporated organization, was organized in 1928. It is the 2nd oldest continuous art organization in the state of Texas.The club has been in existence 77 years and custodian of the Helen King Kendall Art Gallery for 56 years.
PURPOSE:
To promote fine art and foster art and art education in San Angelo, Texas
ABOUT US:
The land for the gallery was donated to The San Angelo Art Club by Riley Kendall in 1946 in memory of his wife, Helen King Kendall. Mr.Kendall and Helen King Kendall's mother also donated funds for the gallery. The San Angelo Art Club borrowed money and raised funds to build the first unit for the gallery in 1949. In 1950-51, funds to build the "In Our Image" wing that housed the Houston Harte collection were donated by Houston Harte and sixty of his friends. The Benge Studio was built in 1951-52 with funds donated by Arch Benge and funds raised by The San Angelo Art Club members. The entire gallery was remodeled in 1968 with the help of the Downtown Lions Club. John Bates paid for all the remodeling supplies and other San Angelo merchants provided lighting and draperies. The storage room was built in 1969 with help from funds donated by John Bates.The most recent renovation was started in 2002 with help from members giving their time and labor to bring the gallery into the 21st century. This included overall painting of the building, a new sign on the front, a mural on the back wall and cleaning / painting of the Benge Studio for new workshops and classes.
