With Arts & Entertainment Editor Kathy L. Collins
The East Hillsborough Art Guild (EHAG) is celebrating 25 years of presenting fine arts to the community. One of the perks of membership in EHAG is that artists get to show their work at various venues in and around Plant City through the Art Around Town project. Artwork is shown on a rotating basis at Plant City YMCA, Walden Lake East Clubhouse, Walden Lake Community Association and in the Classroom Gallery at the historic Plant City High School Community Center, located at 605 N. Collins St. in downtown Plant City.
The Classroom Gallery, which is open Thursday through Saturday from 1 to 5 p.m., exists thanks to a partnership between EHAG and the East Hillsborough Historical Society. The partnership is supported by the Arts Council of Hillsborough County and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners.
The current exhibit, which is up through April 22, features the artwork of Eleanore McDade, founder of EHAG. In 1972 the Plant City Art Club was founded with 20 members. The club began sponsoring the fine art show at the Florida Strawberry Festival. In 1992, when the club was about to disband, McDade took it over and renamed it EHAG. There were 25 members at the time. McDade’s intent was to grow the club and get members from surrounding areas.
EHAG has grown and expanded over the years and works to help revitalize the historic Plant City downtown.
This effort continues in the tradition begun by McDade in reaching out to the surrounding communities and to artists giving them opportunities in expanded areas.
Today, EHAG continues to sponsor the fine art show at the Florida Strawberry Festival. The club also hosts an annual Christmas art show. This year the Christmas art show will be held at the Plant City Entertainment theatre building.
At the Classroom Gallery, art classes and workshops are offered by qualified EHAG member instructors and the artwork is for sale. Please visit www.ehagfinearts.com for a schedule.
Art Around Town chair, Gay Nell Lewis said, “We are committed to showing our artwork in public and private venues. I came up with the idea so that our members would have the opportunity to not only show their work but sell it as well.”
EHAG meets at the Women’s Club of Plant City on the first Monday of each month except over the summer.
For more information, please visit www.ehagfinearts.com.
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