ORANGE BEACH, Ala. — Founded in 2009, Beach CITE (Community Interactive Teaching Experience) Studios occupies airy, modern quarters in the middle of the SanRoc Cay shopping village in Orange Beach, on Ala. Highway 182.

Inside, there is a modern teaching kitchen, a listening room so patrons can hear acts perform, studio space for writing classes and other artistic endeavors. Several artists have space in the building as well.

“A local group got together to celebrate the arts,” said Jim Coughlin, the facility’s executive director. He went on to say that Dan and Linda Scott and Andrew Osika were instrumental in starting the program, which got a boost with a contribution from the Camille Schroeder Charitable Foundation.

“The Schroeder family is involved in the arts,” said Coughlin.

The Listening Room has been part of the Frank Brown Songwriter’s Festival, but the facility does not serve food and drink.

“This is not a bar scene,” said Coughlin. “The singers/songwriters love it.”

There is a suggested donation for all the events in the Listening Room, but Coughlin says “no one is turned away” if they cannot pay the suggested donation.

The culinary kitchen “is like watching Emeril,” said Coughlin. A variety of chefs from local restaurants hold cooking classes in the kitchen. The suggested donation is $20 per class.

“We also have a writer’s circle,” said Coughlin, noting those classes are led by playwright Laura Pfizenmayer. Pfizenmayer, according to the Beach CITE website, is “is an award-winning playwright who has had staged productions throughout the United States, including New York and Washington, D.C.

Her most recent production is the world premier of “Livin’ And Comin’ Back” at the South Baldwin Community Theatre. She is a member of the Dramatist Guild and the International Women Playwrights.”

“We have had book signings and plays performed here,” said Coughlin. “We are always looking for new and different art instructors.”

For Coughlin, his favorite is, “seeing people come here and smile. We get a lot of thanks that we have brought art to the coast.” He added, “There is lots of talent here, but people are afraid to share it. There is a teacher in all of us. We need to pass it forward.”

The Beach CITE program will “continue to evolve,” said Coughlin. “We will continue to do what the community wants.”

The facility is located at 27267 Perdido Beach Blvd. Suite 202 in Orange Beach.

For more information, call 251-981-1989, or visit www.beachcitestudios.org.