Arvest donates branch bank to Fort Smith Art Center

The Fort Smith Art Center soon will have a new and larger facility thanks to a donation from Arvest Bank.

Arvest Bank donated a former branch back facility — acquired in its $211 million purchase of Superior Federal Bank in late 2003 — at 1601 Rogers Ave. to the Fort Smith Art Center so that center officials can expand their space to exhibit art, photos and provide other services.

The donation, however, is contingent upon art center officials raising $200,000 by June 1.

FSAC Executive Director Teresa Carver said she has no doubts about raising the community support funds required by Arvest.

Since 1960, the FSAC has been housed at the Vaughn-Schaap house in the Belle Grove Historic District in downtown Fort Smith.

“(T)he building is inadequate for our needs,” Carver said. “We battle temperature and humidity problems, ongoing maintenance costs, and limited exhibit space.

The 15,000-square-foot building will require renovations estimated at about $2 million, which will be raised in a capital campaign. Galen Hunter, the architect of the original building, is the architect for the renovation.

A large expense with the renovation is in installing a modern humidity and temperature control system, according to art center officials. Precise control of environmental conditions is required before other museums will allow the center to host traveling exhibits.

In addition to extra space for art exhibits, the renovated building will house a coffee shop, expanded gift gallery, classrooms and library.

FSAC Board President Peter Lippincott (pictured at left — photo by Linda Kaufenberg) said renovation is cheaper than building a new building and the Arvest donation allows the art center to remain in downtown Fort Smith.