Our Story
Founded in 1961, the Charlotte County Art Guild began with a small outdoor show in Punta Gorda, attracting 3,000 art enthusiasts. This event sparked the creation of the Guild, which has since organized numerous art shows and classes. In the 1980s, artist Henry Lohse led the charge to establish a permanent Visual Arts Center, which opened in 1989 thanks to community fundraising and state grants. In 2018, a partnership with the Patterson Foundation further enhanced the Center's facilities and sustainability.