September 23, 2020 | St. Lucie Cultural Alliance | Member Spotlight – A. E. Backus Museum & Gallery
Contributed by Dorothy Kamm
Member Spotlight – A. E. Backus Museum & Gallery
Just as the bones of the original building has remained in place through several expansions, the A. E. Backus Museum & Gallery, now celebrating its 60th anniversary, has remained true to its original objective. Founded in 1960, the modest building, whose original design was inspired by the studio the artist Beanie Backus occupied in the 1940s and 50s, opened as the Fort Pierce Art Gallery. Here was a community gallery dedicated to presenting professional, amateur, and student artworks, providing each artist with a public place to display their art and give each due respect.
Backus was among the founders and was the first art director. He was a modest man who, although internationally known, did not want to dominate the local art scene. His idea always was to cast a wide net and include other artists. It wasn’t until his death in 1990 that the institute changed its name.
The Backus Museum & Gallery maintains a balance between showcasing its permanent collection of Backus’s artwork, Highwaymen artists who had been part of Backus’s story, and changing exhibitions; between featuring local artists and traveling collections.
Each season begins and ends with juried shows that focus on local artists. The Best of the Best includes all media except photography and opens in the fall. Concluding the season in May is Through the Eye of the Camera, which is exclusively photography.
Sandwiched in between are rotating exhibitions featuring works that are very different from the Florida landscapes Backus and the Highwaymen were known for, such as glass sculptures by Dale Chihuly, the surrealistic pictures of Salvador Dali, and the intricate black and white photography of Clyde Butcher.
J. Marshall Adams, Executive Director of the A. E. Backus Museum & Gallery, says that he and the staff are inspired by the museum and its unique history. “We want to make sure the stories and the beautiful art are accessible and meaningful to future generations.”
About joining the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance, he adds, “A vibrant, energetic arts community deserves a dynamic, responsive, and creative local arts agency to amplify the significant economic and quality-of-life benefits of the arts and culture to our residents and visitors. The St. Lucie Cultural Alliance is a vital partner to arts organizations like the A.E. Backus Museum, as well as an important advocate for public art and working artists. Together, we make St. Lucie County an exciting and enriching destination for all.”
To learn more about the St. Lucie Cultural Alliance and the benefits of membership, please visit ArtStLucie.org, email: info@artstlucie.org or call 772-462-2783.
To learn more about The A. E. Backus Museum & Gallery, visit www.backusmuseum.org.
