Carnegie Visual Arts Center

Built in 1904 with funding from the Carnegie Foundation, this building was one of 2,509 libraries erected across the country. It served in this capacity from 1904 – 1973 when it became the First Baptists Community Center. After renovations in the early 1990’s it became the Visual Arts Center, hosting art exhibits, classes for adults and children and Folk Art.
Right now it is hosting Bruce Larsen’s sculptures, an eclectic mix of organic and inorganic materials blended into shapes of animals and mythological creatures/​
I’m looking forward to July23 when they are having a show called Hambone Folk Art. Hopefully it’s Primitive Americana.

This is the only free art museum in the Huntsville area, that I’m aware of. It’s free and though it’s small, it always has an interesting exhibit going on.
What I like most about this place is the community involvement they have. They are the ones who did the Butterfly trail all over town and now the new Dragonfly trail all over town. It adds beauty and art to the older parts of town. It’s beautiful.
The arts center also has art classes for children. They do them almost all year long. They are so much fun and delve into all types of media and art history at the same time. My daughter just loves taking art there. They also have classes during the summer for various age groups as well. I wish they had some for adults.
One of the art teachers there teaches out of her own studio on Bank Street, as well. She does pottery classes for adults. I’m sure she does other things as well.
The ladies that run the arts center are friendly and personable and always remember our names. They are so sweet and so good at their jobs. They also have an informative website for the center. You can become a member of the center and get discounts on events and classes and special notice of events as well.