The Emerald Art Associationbegan in 1957 when a group of artists and art lovers took on the task of building an art league. Beginning under the auspices of the Willamalane Community Services, it soon became an independent entity. In 1974 this diligent group bought their own building at 421 A Street and shouldered the responsibility of owning real estate, while presenting fine art to the community and becoming a center for teaching and learning art.
The current Art Gallery is new, yet has roots that reach back to 1909 when it was the Sutton Block that later became the Gerlach Drug Store. By the late 1990's the opportunity presented itself to purchase the Gerlach Building. The non-profit art association had outgrown their original home and it was time to create a new gallery to house its growing collection, to gain space for more community interaction, to sponsor more artists' exhibits and to work with childrens' interest in art. The result is Emerald Art Center, the answer to a long-held vision.
The Street Floor Gallery, which opened in April 2002, displays changing exhibitions, important artist's shows and traveling shows when possible. We also display children's exhibits of current work being accomplished through classes at the Art Center and local schools.
EAC presents classes for all ages and workshops throughout the year in the Dottie Chase Classroom on the Main Floor, and in the Mary Meeker Classroom on the Mezzanine. Workshops are taught by nationally known artists and educators, drawing attendance from students across the United States, as well as providing an opportunity for local artists of all skill levels to learn and refine their creative abilities.