Our Story
Our mission is to provide educational opportunities in the fine arts, to foster creation of original fine art in all media, and to enhance the enjoyment of art in the community,
The history of Trail's End Art Association is an interesting and historical view of art on the north coast of Oregon. The Trail's End Art Association building has been shown in photographs as early as 1908, and was probably built in 1903. It was once a two-room schoolhouse and then used as an annex space for the old Gearhart School on the Ridge Path. Upon completion of the new Gearhart School on Pacific Way, it was no longer needed, and eventually fell into disrepair. So over 70 years ago, a group of 20 accomplished artists who had been meeting together to do art in each other’s homes became aware of the building. “ It was at that time that a group of people in Seaside interested in pursuing art started getting together to hold painting sessions, sharing their knowledge with each other and encouraging those who had little experience in art. They met in each other’s homes during the first year or so, and eventually decided to form an organization which they called Trail’s End Art Association” (from a history by Sylvia Coumont). The original 20 were sharing their knowledge and the organization began to grow. So there were up to 60 people trying to meet in homes and the building seemed like the ideal solution.
Eight of the original members offered to advance funds to cover a large part of the purchase price, and the association signed a mortgage for the balance, giving a second mortgage to the members who loaned money toward the purchase. M. J. Miscoe, Rosella Ober, Myrtle Meyer, H. E. Plummer, Dr. Martha Lowe, Leona Evans, Lynette Ross, and Jane Keeler. Before purchasing the building, the organization became a non-profit corporation registered under the laws of the State of Oregon, and on September 15, 1952, it was unanimously voted to authorize Mike Miscoe to arrange the purchase of the building at the best terms available.
