History of the Arts Center

            On September 30th, 1963 a group of people met in the library at Central High School (now known as the 9th Grade Academy) for the purpose of organizing the Fayetteville Art League.  The Reverend Douglas Girardean called the meeting to order.  The meeting started with a very interesting talk by a guest speaker Mr. Fred Womack.   It was decided that they would meet the 2nd and 4th Monday Nights.  Dues were established at $ 5.00 per year and $ 1.50 for students.

   The first set of officers elected, were:  President: Ford Scot, Vice President: Mrs. Fred Boswell, Secretary: Mrs. Curtis Bomer, Treasurer: Reverend Douglas Girardean

   The Charter Members listed were: Mrs. Kitty Bingham, George Deitz, Mrs. Anne Bomer, Mrs. Myrtle Earner, Mrs. Fred Broswell, Douglas Fairbanks, Mrs. Ruth Clark, Rev. Douglas Girardean, Mrs. Havelon Garish, Ford Scott

             The Art League met at the Farm Bureau building for a while prior to moving to the first Fayetteville Art Gallery (Art Attic)  located above the Kuhn’s Five and Dime store located on the east side of the public square, and which was sponsored by the Fayetteville Art League. (The Kuhn’s store burned to the ground many years later and the City Municipal Building was built in its place.)  The purpose of the Art Gallery was to promote and encourage understanding, appreciation and creativeness of Art and to give interested citizens of Fayetteville and Lincoln County a place to display Arts and Crafts.  

            The Art League moved its operations to the Old Henson House at 201 N. Franklin Ave. where it had use of the house rent-free thanks to the curtsey of the Lincoln County Bank. It was then known as the 'House of Art'.

            In February 1975 The Art League obtained it first “real” home when William R. Carter CEO of CFW and a former President of the Art League deeds the Grace Presbyterian Church at 303 South Main to the Art League.  The Fayetteville Art League at this time changed its name to the Fayetteville-Lincoln County Art League to emphasis that it supported the entire county and not just the city of Fayetteville.

              The building had been built originally as a Grace Presbyterian Church  in 1910 and used until 1925 as a church.  It was vacant for several years after that and then was the home of Fayetteville First Federal Savings and Loan.  After the Fayetteville First Federal Savings and Loan left the building it changed hands many times.  During its history it has been used for:

1.                  A polling station

2.                  Tennessee State Checkers Tournament

3.                  Golden Glove Boxing Events and Wrestling Events

4.                  Mormon Church

5.                  American Legion

6.                  A non-alcoholic club for students called the ‘Jitterbug Jug’.

7.                  Boys and Cub Scouts

8.                  T & M Music Co.  

            In 1975 the Art League’s leaders upon receiving Mr. Carter gracious donation stated that although plan for renovation of the property have not been made, they hope to turn the building into a Civic Center for use by various groups. 

            In April 1975 Business and Local industries assisted the Art League in replacing windows on the south side of the building.  Wrought iron railings for the steps were donated and installed by Davidson Iron Works.  A 10-foot step ladder and paint for the main floor was donated by Builder Supply Co. The Serbin Manufacturing Co. & Union National Bank donated money for windows. Williams Lumber Company donated ceiling paint, and paint for the basement.  Crawford Supply donated much needed bathroom fixtures.

        In January 2006 the Fayetteville-Lincoln County Arts Center, Inc (the umbrella organization for all art groups in Lincoln County) was established with the Fayetteville Lincoln County Arts League (Art League changed its name at this time changed to reflect the change in its mission of encompassing all forms of Art not just paintings, but also sculpture, music, photography, dance etc.), Elk Valley Crafters (county craft organization), and the Lincoln County Arts Council (classical and classic performances) as the charter members.

        In October of 2008 the City of Fayetteville donated $ 19,000 toward replacing the roof on the Arts Center.  The money came from a donation from Mary Bright Wilson's estate.