FAIRHOPE, Ala. — As the Eastern Shore Art Center begins its 51st year of operation with its annual membership drive in October, Advance Gift Chairman Jack Edwards met with Robin Fitzhugh, managing Director; Kate Fisher, ESAC board president; and Donna Dodson, vice president and membership chairman, to outline plans for this new initiative.

In this past year, ESAC has hosted First Friday ArtWalk receptions monthly, highlighting the best of local and regional art, and offered classes and workshops for children and adults every quarter.

ESAC also sponsors the Grand Festival of Art each October and the Outdoor Art Show in March, which along with ArtWalk are significant contributors to the local economy.

The Center’s Committee on Public Art, which sponsored the colorful “Art Takes Flight” pelican project, has donated several large public sculptures to the Eastern Shore, including the new “Mullet Run” fountain adjacent to the Fairhope Museum of History.

ESAC’s community outreach takes art to local schools, facilities for the elderly and disabled, and to other local nonprofits, including the Fairhope Youth Club.

The Advance Gift Campaign, with individual or corporate gifts beginning at the $1,000 level, will kick off the membership drive and provide much needed operating and capital funds for the Art Center in the coming year.

For more information, contact ESAC at (251) 928-2228 or via the Web site at www.esartcenter.com.