Vero Beach Art Club Celebrates Historic 90th Anniversary with “Through the Decades” Bash
The cultural landscape of Vero Beach reached a significant milestone this week as the Vero Beach Art Club (VBAC) officially kicked off its 90th anniversary year. As one of the few local nonprofits to achieve nonagenarian status, the organization celebrated its longevity and community impact with a spectacular “Through the Decades” party at the historic Heritage Center.
Founded in 1936, the VBAC has evolved from a small collective into a cultural powerhouse that supports artists, students, and various charitable organizations throughout Indian River County. To mark the beginning of this landmark year, members and local dignitaries gathered for an evening of nostalgia, costumes, and celebration.
Michelle Nevaeh, president of the VBAC board, welcomed guests to the event, which she noted is just the beginning of a year-long schedule of festivities that will conclude in November 2026.
“We really appreciate you all coming out and having fun and celebrating our 90th birthday with us. We are very proud to be ushering in the 10th decade, promoting the arts and servicing the community of Vero Beach.” — Michelle Nevaeh, VBAC Board President
A Night of Nostalgia and Community Spirit
The kickoff party transformed the Heritage Center into a time capsule. Guests embraced the theme by dressing in attire from their favorite eras and decorating tables to match. The atmosphere was electric, starting with an impromptu 1960s-style dance entrance to “Stayin’ Alive,” while DJ Maurice Hendley curated a musical journey through the decades.
Local leadership played a key role in the festivities. Vero Beach Mayor John Cotugno and Indian River County Commissioner Laura Moss served as judges for the highly competitive Tablescape Decorating Contest. The winners included:
The event was a true community collaboration. Students from the Charter High School photo club served as the evening’s photographers, documenting the historic kickoff. Culinary delights were provided by Marsh Landing, with appetizers served by students from the Youth Guidance Mentoring Academy culinary class.
More Than Just Art Shows
While the VBAC is widely known for its premier public events—such as the massive Under the Oaks Fine Art Show and Art by the Sea—the organization’s impact runs much deeper. Nevaeh emphasized that the club relies on the dedication of over 500 members and two staff members to drive their philanthropic mission.
The club provides funding to “Arts for Smarts,” supplies art materials to 17 Indian River County schools, and offers scholarships to college students pursuing the arts. Furthermore, the VBAC maintains outreach programs with numerous local organizations, including:
A Vision for the Future
Looking ahead, the VBAC is not resting on its laurels. The club is actively working to expand its education department, a project led by Camy De Mario. The ultimate goal aligns with the vision of the club’s original founders from the 1930s: to establish a dedicated home for the arts in Vero Beach.
“Our dreams are to have a standalone building at some point in time to teach many more mediums than we currently do, and to have bigger space where people can collaborate, inspire, create, innovate, and explore possibilities with one another.” — Michelle Nevaeh
Upcoming Events
Residents and visitors can look forward to several major events as the 90th-anniversary celebration continues:
For more information on membership, upcoming exhibits, or the capital campaign, visit the official club website at VeroBeachArtClub.org.
