Heading into its nonagenarian anniversary year, the Vero Beach Art Club is one of only a handful of local nonprofits to have reached that historic age. So, it should come as no surprise that its members opted to start the milestone year in spectacular fashion with a 90th Anniversary Through the Decades Kickoff Party.
“We really appreciate you all coming out and having fun and celebrating our 90th birthday with us. We are very proud to be ushering in the 10th decade, promoting the arts and servicing the community of Vero Beach,” said Michelle Nevaeh, VBAC board president.
That evening’s event at the Heritage Center, she said, marked the beginning of a year that would be chock-full of special events, ending with a closing celebration party in November 2026.
“We are very proud of our club, our history, and all we do over and above our extremely popular shows like Under the Oaks, Art by the Sea, Art in the Park, and many others. We have a large focus on our community and giving back,” said Nevaeh.
The VBAC, founded in 1936, has a long history of supporting the community through its membership and through the donations and sponsorships derived from art shows and sales.
Its numerous outreach programs include those with the Alzheimer and Parkinson Association, Senior Resource Association, the Source, Treasure Coast Community Health, Veterans Council, First Responders, Riverside Theatre, the Learning Alliance, Boys and Girls Clubs, and the Indian River Sheriff’s Department. They also provide funding to Arts for Smarts, to 17 Indian River County schools for art supplies, and for scholarships to students pursuing arts in college.
Additionally, Nevaeh said they are working to expand and elevate their education department, a project spearheaded by Camy De Mario.
“Our dreams are to have a standalone building at some point in time to teach many more mediums than we currently do, and to have bigger space where people can collaborate, inspire, create, innovate, and explore possibilities with one another. A meeting place, a home for the many art-minded people in our community,” said Nevaeh.
“In reading the historical documents about the Vero Beach Art Club, this was a dream of our first founders, and we hope to bring this dream to fruition in the near future.”
Nevaeh said that with only two employees, who she called the “heartbeat of the club who keep its wheels turning,” the majority of their achievements are made through the volunteer efforts and generosity of more than 500 members, including their board, as well as the support of patrons and sponsors.
Guests at the event had dressed up and decorated their tables in the style of their favorite decade and Vero Beach Mayor John Cotugno and County Commissioner Laura Moss had the difficult task of choosing the winners of the Tablescape Decorating Contest, which was won by Gallery 14 for its fabulous ’50s décor and Carolyn MacEvoy Real Estate’s totally rad ’80s style.
People enjoyed an impromptu ’60s style ‘Stayin’ Alive’ dance entrance to start things off, and DJ Maurice Hendley kept the music going through the decades all night long.
Students from the Charter High School photo club captured moments for posterity, and Marsh Landing prepared a delicious buffet and appetizers earlier in the evening that were passed by students in the Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy culinary class.
Upcoming events include the 3-D New Dimensions Exhibit Feb. 3-18 at the Vero Beach Art Club, and the 75th annual Under the Oaks Fine Art Show March 13-15 at Riverside Park.
For more information, visit VeroBeachArtClub.org.
Photos by Joshua Kodis
