A Vibrant Center For The Arts

Be inspired…adorns a wall at the Pearson Lakes Art Center (PLAC). These simple but hugely impactful words are one of the reasons why the PLAC continues to thrive and inspire those who walk through their doors—for over 60 years.

Every day, young and old are provided with an outlet to create something beautiful, something unique. Whether taking a cooking class or enjoying a show in the Lauridson Performing Art Center, the PLAC provides an avenue to appreciate and create art for all ages and skill levels.

“The art center came from a little idea that grew into something so much bigger than was ever expected,” said Danielle Clouse Gast, Visual Arts Director at the PLAC. “Our history is the perfect example of what happens when a community comes together for a common vision.”

The cultural campus of the Iowa Great Lakes area, the PLAC rivals galleries in much larger cities, despite residing in a community of only 20,000 year-round residents. But because of the passion and generosity of countless individuals for the past 60 years, the opportunities are endless for anyone desiring to create art.

Cultural Art History

While the first art center wasn’t officially in existence until 1965, the concept of local art arrived on the scene in the late 19th century. As settlers continued to arrive and experience the beauty of the Iowa Great Lakes, poetry and homegrown art became expressed in multiple mediums.

Front parlors began hosting artistic opportunities and the first art guild took place in the 1930s. Fast forward to the 1960s and the idea of sharing art with others became an avenue for individuals to learn and grow. A college student opened the first art studio called Art’s Corner in 1963, while Lakeshore Drive Art Shows shut down the road near Givens Point throughout the summer.

The community began to take notice, and a group of artistically minded individuals formed a committee to consider creating a regional arts center.

“Plans are moving along rapidly for a new Lakes Art Center to be located in the remodeled barn on the Mr. and Mrs. Roy Smith property next to the Okoboji Summer Theatre on Highway 71,” the Spirit Lake Beacon in September 1965 reported.

It wasn’t long before the Little Red Barn was born. Not far from where the current art center stands, in 1966, volunteers spent long hours renovating Floss Smith’s dairy barn. Despite no heat or air, the concept of learning art was widely accepted. Over that summer, countless art classes were taught by artist-in-residence Mary Rhoades of Sarasota, FL. The only running water was via a hose outside the building and completed art pieces were displayed in the back, often utilizing the former stalls once used to milk cows.

So much excitement was developed by this Art Center. Every sort of class was taught and people of all ages attended to the point that locals yearned for year-round programming. Another unused building grabbed the attention of interested parties. A green house with an old garage now used for storage, welding and repairing was set on land across from the Okoboji City Hall. The building was brown with a false front made to look like blocks of stone. Several garage doors helped hold up the rickety structure, while the floor was made from dirt with haphazardly poured cement here and there. Over the spring of 1968, a deal was made with Dorothy Arrasmith which allowed her to continue to live in the house and the Art Center could have the garage as a permanent residence.

By the summer of 1968, countless volunteers and paid tradesmen transformed the ugly gray building into a usable building available to create art. Garage doors were removed and roofing was patched. Windows were added and a new faux front was constructed. However, there was also a tree located adjacent to an outside wall. Rather than remove the beautiful tall feature, crews simply built the new entry area around it.

“If you spilled paint on the concrete floor, it was no big deal – it just added ambience and color to what exists,” wrote Merri Kae VanderPloeg in Jonathan Reed’s book “Erasing Gray.” “The Little Red lent itself to one’s creativity because you’re immersed in the woods of Okoboji. You could smell the fish outside, and the aroma of pancakes outside of O’Farrell’s. It was homey.”

The Little Red Art Center was primitive but also a place to learn, experiment and have fun with art of all types.

Consider back to that first Art Center Committee. They didn’t stop meeting or dreaming. They realized needs like art supplies and infrastructure items like tables, chairs, and lights were necessary for success. Volunteers handled everything until it was obvious instructors still needed to be paid. Memberships began at $5 a piece and a membership ball was held.

Fundraiser dinners became common as well as art sales. In 1975, Mary Kennedy and Susan Goodwin initiated the Tour of Homes where admission allowed visits to novel or historical area homes. At conclusion, a feast at the Okoboji Yacht Club took place. There were countless fundraising efforts underway to help support the Art Center’s goal of year-round art education and enjoyment.

Generous Giving

One of the major benefactors of the Lakes Art Center was Gerald “Bud” Pearson and his wife Beverly, who created the Pearson Art Foundation in 1971 to foster art appreciation and possibly hold their growing art collection. The later became reality in 1988 when the couple announced a $300,000 pledge towards the “purpose of building a new art center in the lakes region.” This was also the birth of the University of Okoboji Foundation, who at the time was charged with raising the other $300,000 in matching funds.

Fast forward several years and criteria was developed on where this new Art Center would be placed. Only one place in the Iowa Great Lakes area fit the needs and it was just steps from the first center and gallery – the Smith’s dairy barn.

By the time construction took place, the Art Center building had expanded in both cost and size from initial concepts and descriptions of the facility will seem familiar to those who visit today. The Estherville paper explained “that the brick building will have two floors totaling 13,756 square feet – 6,876 square feet on each floor. Having a southeast entrance exposure, its lobby will have exhibits as well will the stairways leading to the upper and lower levels. The Pearson Gallery will be housed in a large, 1,368-square-foot open room, which will allow space for other exhibits as well.”

Construction began and dreams were being realized, until tragedy struck. Architect Herald Holding of Colorado Springs had developed marvelous plans that also incorporated a future performing arts addition and interactive galleries. Holding had been in the area to look over construction and develop future plans, when the airplane he was in crashed upon returning home.

Holding’s family was honored at the grand opening on August 31, 1991, when more than 1,000 curious visitors walked into the new building amazed. Bud Pearson spoke, “This has greatly exceeded the wildest dreams that Bev and I had of what would happen. The builders have created a masterpiece, a work of art,” he shared that day to the assembled crowd.

It was apparent that the Pearson Lakes Art Center was poised to join important galleries and art museums throughout the Midwest, if not the country – and it was just beginning.

Continued dreaming took place. Volunteers and generous donations continually support the PLAC, allowing continued growth and additions. On September 12, 2002, the Lauridsen Performing Arts Stage, named after Francie and Wally Lauridsen, parents of frequent arts patron Signe Kim Lauridsen-Jones, presented its first performance to an enthusiastic and grateful crowd. The interactive Arts Smart and Pomerantz Reception Hall were also added.

“It’s truly amazing at what has taken place in 60 years at the PLAC, and why we are celebrating where we have been and where we are headed,” said Karess Knudtson, in charge of Marketing at the PLAC. “Our desire is to continue to service our community and implement future goals through our four pillars, always rooted in creative growth.”

The PLAC continues to serve the region through multiple educational opportunities for all ages and skill levels.  Holly Zinn Hample oversees all educational classes and has a passion for continuing what others did long before her. “It has been such a joy to experience the growth of our education department at the Art Center, while honoring the tradition that was established early on,” she said. “We are a place where unique personable art can be created with friends and family, while honing your skills a little deeper.”

She enjoys teaching classes throughout the building, most often within the walls of the five art studios. But it isn’t uncommon to take classes outside along the sculpture trail or within the Pearson Gallery.

“Last year, we were walking through the gallery with a preschool group, and I was near a young boy who had the most amazing reaction to the beautiful Russian and Ukrainian art. This little boy just stood there in complete awe and then said, ‘This is the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen.’” Holly shared. “We want to inspire everyone that comes to visit in some way, because everyone is an artist in some form.”

This summer, a new Sculpture Trail with seven additional sculptures is being added to the north side of the PLAC. A treehouse art studio is in the works and a formal ribbon cutting will take place for the project this August.

“It’s where nature meets art and provides us with the ability to expand the PLAC campus,” Danielle shared. "We are always imagining and dreaming of possibilities, and so thankful for generous giving that supports continued growth and educational opportunities.”

From culinary classes to youth classes or art shows to jazz shows, the PLAC has blossomed from the Little Red Barn to a world-class Art Center, where creation and inspiration is always thriving.

The PLAC is free to the public and open year-round. They offer numerous educational opportunities for all ages and skill levels, as well as fun activities like Art in the Park, which will be held on Preservation Plaza in Arnolds Park on August 5. Visit lakesart.org for more information.

Be inspired—today. Like so many have in 60 years, always dream big, broaden your artistic horizons and unleash your creativity at the PLAC.