NWS Building: Improvement continues
March 2011
Our current project is making improvements in the storage area at the back of the building. This is a 10' x 24' area which we will use for the storing of records. Many thanks to Etty Andreani, Alan Marriott and Chris Van Winkle who cleared out the area so the contractor could start work. A whole new roof including the wood structure has been built. All interior dry wall was removed and new insulation and dry wall installed. New electrical wiring including a sensor light outside for security is in place. Etty and Alan worked on plans for the electrical and met with the contractor as the work progressed.
The improvements of the store room will allow us to move records that are currently in the vault. The major remaining work to be done is the completion of the vault to hold the NWS Permanent Collection and the installation of more security equipment. When this work is completed we will be in a position to ask the Los Angeles County Museum of Art to restore to us our early Permanent Collection that NWS gave to them because at that time we had no building to house them.
Funds will need to be raised for this last phase of construction. As Director of Fundraising Carol Zink has retired from the Board after six years of hard work with outstanding results, we need new volunteers who are willing to make this last piece of the dream come true. If you are willing to give time to this effort contact Caroline Van Winkle at
. Many thanks to all who have been a part of this endeavor!
NWS Building Timeline
In reverse chronological order
October 2010: Following the 2010 Annual Luncheon, NWS members and friends gathered for the Grand Opening of the NWS Building. Cutting the red ribbon were President Mike Bailey, John Salminen, Jack Richeson, Loa Sprung, Chris Van Winkle and representatives from the city of Los Angeles and Los Angeles County. Presentations from L.A. City Councilwoman Janice Hahn and L.A. County Supervisor Don Knabe were received by President Mike Bailey. The highlight of the celebration was the exhibition of the 100 paintings of the NWS 90th Annual Exhibition in our own NWS Gallery. Over 300 visitors attended the opening reception.
Official ribbon-cutting ceremony at the grand opening of the official NWS Building on the 90th Anniversary: Chris Van Winkle, Don Knabe, John Salminen, Loa Sprung, Mike Bailey, and Jack Richeson.
January 2010: During the annual business meeting on January 16, the winning tickets were drawn for the building fundraising raffle. Sixteen artists donated paintings to help raise fund for improvements to the building. Read more about the raffle and see the raffle winners.
Fall 2009: The Building Committee continues to meet with the architects with a focus on the design for improvement of the front façade of the NWS Building. At our meeting on October 8, we will look at preliminary plans that will be shared with contractors interested in putting forth a bid for the project. When final plans are completed they will be forwarded to the Building Dept. of the City of Los Angeles to secure a permit for the project. We hope to start construction early in the new year.
Summer 2009: NWS members worked hard preparing the building for the Members’ Exhibition. Many thanks to Michael Van Winkle and Ettore Andreani for completing the track lighting. Vinyl floor covering was installed in the Artists’ Workshop area and the Security System was activated. It all came together for the opening of the National Watercolor Society Gallery.
Although we have not received the paperwork yet we have been assured that we will be receiving the $25,000 Grant from the San Pedro “Pacific Corridor Program” to help with Phase III of the building. We hope to start construction in September to improve the exterior.
Spring 2009: Work on our building in San Pedro proceeds on schedule. At a cost of $200,000, Phase 2 remodeling of the interior has been completed! A new foyer and office greets you as you enter. The gallery of approximately 2400 square feet has fresh paint. A workshop area of 700 square feet, complete with a small kitchenette is ready.
Many thanks to all our members who donated to the building fund and made this construction possible! And now we start with Phase 3, completing the interior and beginning with the exterior of the building. We will have these improvements completed by May 2009, when we will hold our All Member Exhibition in the new gallery.
April 2008: Plans have been passed and permits granted by the Los Angeles Building Department. This good news is largely due to the efforts of the architects, Wheeler and Wheeler, Inc. with assistance from NWS member, Douglas Stenhouse.
The NWS Board is reviewing bids from contractors and will make a decision soon. The plans are for the complete renovation of the inside of the building. Currently, we do not have enough money to do all the work, but with your help, we can raise that money while the contractor is still in the building and get the job finished.
Now we ask you, artists and lovers of art, to join us in our quest. With your contribution, this building will be come an art center of which you will be proud.
December 2008: At a cost of $200,000, Phase 2 remodeling of the interior has been completed! A new foyer and office greets you as you enter. The gallery of approximately 2400 square feet has fresh paint. A workshop area of 700 square feet, complete with a small kitchenette is ready. And the new handicapped bathrooms, finished with fashionable stone-look tiles, are sparkling clean. We have a secure area for our permanent collection. Three HVAC units have been installed to keep you warm in winter and cool in summer. Insulation has been applied to the underside of the roof. We have new wiring throughout the building and a new electric panel.
Many thanks to all our members who donated to the building fund and made this construction possible! We have taken a big step forward. And now we start with Phase 3, completing the interior and beginning with the exterior of the building. Our first priorities in Phase 3 for the exterior are a new roof, a new door and painting of the building. And the interior priority is track lighting. We hope to have these improvements completed by May 2009, when we will hold our All Member Exhibition in the new gallery.
Further interior work that needs to be done are floor coverings and installation of equipment for the workshop area. The storage area at the back of the building needs complete remodeling and we hope to raise the roof to the same height as the rest of the building. Finally for the exterior, we need to design and build a new façade for the front of the building to make our NWS Museum and Gallery the showpiece of San Pedro.
So while a lot has been accomplished, much remains to be done. We know that every member wants to be part of this and will help NWS complete the dream. We hope you like our progress to date and will come and visit the building!
2004–2005 The Board sought to make the building safe for the general public. An engineer, architect and contractor were hired to complete the seismic retrofit. The dream was always to make this a showplace, a gallery, a lyceum, and a museum.
1999 The NWS Board purchased a commercial building in San Pedro, California. Individual members contributed labor and money for repairs. The building was made fit to receive and re-pack artworks, to store the Permanent Art Collection, and to be a meeting place for the Society.
Building entrance to the NWS building at 915 S. Pacific Avenue, San Pedro, CA. This is how the building originally looked when purchased; and improvements have been made through generous donations.
Building floor plan before renovations.
