Armory Art Center

Mission:

The Armory Art Center is a not-for-profit community-based visual arts education and exhibition center providing opportunities for individual growth, self expression, increased awareness and appreciation of the arts through participation in studio, exhibition, lecture and other educational programs. The Center seeks to educate, enrich and engage a diverse population through the “experience of art”.

History:

The historic Armory building was built in 1939 in Art Deco style by William Manley King and was occupied by the National Guard Armory from 1939-1982. During the 50s and 60s, the building was used for Palm Beach High School dances and other community events. In 1987, the Norton School of Art decided to close their doors and left 250 students and 40 faculty members with no where to have art classes. Robert & Mary Montgomery heard about the lack of space for an art center and made a $100,000 donation to open the Robert & Mary Montgomery Armory Art Center. The Center opened its doors in 1987 and has rented the building from Palm Beach County for $1 a year for the last 20 years.

In 2002, Robert and Mary Montgomery donated $1 million to transfer their name to the historic building and remove it from the name of the organization which became simply Armory Art Center.

Nearly twelve years after opening, the Armory expanded its programs to include sculpture classes and opened a 3,500 square foot facility on campus designated the Muriel S. Kaplan Sculpture Building. Muriel's son Jerry was the first sculpture teacher at the Armory and made a $250,000 donation to the Center to have the building named after his mother. Muriel has served on the Armory's Board of Directors for the last 20 years and continues to be an advocate for the Center.

Today, the Armory welcomes over 3,000 students annually, nearly 100 course offerings, more than a dozen studios, 25 Master Artists Workshops and a unique Summer Art Camp which fills each year with nearly 700 children ages 5 through 18.

The Armory offers group tours, lectures, workshops and special events in addition to class offerings. We welcome you to stop by for a visit and enjoy a campus full of creative activity.