Lake Placid Art League

In 1985, Mrs. Alma Heflin and her daughter, Dale Saceman, founded the Lake Placid Art League so that local artists could meet and share experiences. For the next seven years, they met at the Tomoka Heights community club house. Then, the Adventist Church was offering their property, known as the Parrish House, on Center Street (Dal Hall Blvd). After a down payment, six Art League members held a mortgage for the balance. This was later satisfied when Bill and Marlene Snyder donated a horse head, carve by Bill, for a drawing.

Presidents who have served over the years include Elizabeth Fox, Cliff Mitchell, Mary Gebhart, Elise Kruft, Marlene Snyder, Pat Keesling, Joan Swanson. In 1986, Ms. Kruft initiated an Arts and Fine Crafts SHow, held on the last Saturday of January in all but one year since then, at the Bert Harris, jr. AgriCivic Center. For many years, Lake Placid High School students’ work was displayed at the show. Artists come from all over to sell their creations. In recent years, instead of an individual scholarship, the Art League seeks to encourage many young artists by donating to the Art, Music, and Culinary departments of the High School. LPAL members judge students’ work and award ribbons and cash prizes at the school’s annual open house.

Art League members have painted two murals in the high school, one at Lake Country Elementary School, and one at the Meadow Lake community.

On November 1st, Lake Placid Art League will celebrate its thirtieth anniversary. Members are seeking documents and pictures pertaining to our early activities and to our historic building. Regular meetings are held on the third Wednesday of every month (except Aug.), with a covered-dish dinner, a program or speaker, and a members’ sharing time. Visitors and new members are always welcome.