ART
34
THE NAME
Though Backus had spearheaded the project and acted as its first director,
he refused to entertain any notion that the gallery be named for him.
Instead, it was called the Fort Pierce Art Gallery.
“You know how humble Beanie was,” says Peggy Berg, whose 40-year
involvement with the gallery has included serving in almost every capacity,
including director. “It was just that simple.”
Recalls Claire Jinks, whose ex-husband Arthur Pottoroff was one of
Backus closest friends: “Bean was adamant that it not be named for him.
He said you have to die first.”
When Backus did die in 1990, the gallery’s board members immediately
voted to change its name in honor of the man who had spent his life nurturing
and inspiring other artists. “Beanie’s ashes weren’t even scattered
before they had changed the name,” says Terry with a chuckle.
For the gallery, however, it was a natural connection.
“He was the reason for the gallery and so many things that transpired
within the artistic community
of this region,”
says Berg. “He was such a
great individual and he had
a wide influence that he
didn’t recognize or appreciate
at the time.”
HOME BASE
For the artists whose
works were displayed
there, the gallery was a
familiar home base. Legions
of local artists had their first
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The gallery cleverly maximizes its exhibition space. A
skylight was installed, closing the original open roof.
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