Mission Statement
The Industrial Arts Center mission is to ignite and fuel an artistic passion and a keen awareness of the industrial arts. This goal is supported by providing skilled instructors and a state of the art facility with the tools necessary to encourage personal growth and build a cooperative artistic community.

The Industrial Arts Center believes the arts should be accessible to all. We teach creative applications of the industrial arts and other mediums that go beyond traditional flat art.

MORE ABOUT THE IAC (powerpoint presentation. click each page to continue. please wait for file to open.)

MORE ABOUT OUR FACILITY at 2902A Beach Boulevard South in the Gulfport Art Village Courtyard.

Lynn DiVenuti, President
Board President Lynn DiVenuti has a long history as a performing artist and business owner in the Tampa Bay area. Throughout the years since 1992, Lynn has contributed her time and energy to many community causes as a performer and Master Chef.
As the CEO of a business development firm, her guidance and creative thinking is steering the Industrial Arts Center toward success.

Amy Oatley, Executive Director
Amy Oatley is well known in the Gulfport arts community as co-founder of Positive Expressions, a non-profit art gallery that was founded to empower the HIV-positive community and educate the public about the disease. Positive Expressions operated in Gulfport from 1995-2000 and closed its doors after moving to St. Petersburg's Grand Central District in 2002.

Jackie Ballard, Founder, Master Glass Blower
Jackie operated her own glass studio in Gulfport and taught classes for The Arts Center there until the Industrial Arts Center opened its doors in September 2008. Jackie is an award winning and highly distinguished master glass blower. She received her degree from New York State in a four-year apprenticeship through William Glasser. She has more than 22 years experience blowing glass and has provided instruction to novices and intermediate glass blowers of all ages. More Information

Instructors