adso-cistern

Cistern Museum, Art Gallery, Workshops

An exciting project is now underway by the Arts & Design Society A water tank that held the city's water supply will be transformed into a museum. This cistern, a 60 foot square building with an eight foot ceiling, lies behind the historic old city hall where ADSO has had gallery and workshop space for forty years,

The new museum will be a major cultural addition and attraction for the Emerald Coast It will be a needed component of a Fort Walton Beach cultural center that includes the Indian Mound and Science museums, the Ballet Academy, the city auditorium, the Library, and event sponsoring churches

The Cistern is located directly behind the Arts & Design Society building

This is a view of the Cistern as it now exists. It is spacious with a unique ambience and character.

A preliminary artist's view of the Cistern in the future. Every attempt will be made to preserve the Cistern's Ambience. Entering the Cistern now provides a sense of vastness with walls uniquely stained by mineral deposits over the years. Truly a work of historical architectural art tempered by years of nature's paint brush. The Cistern Museum and Art Gallery will be an attraction for artists within the region and hopefully the country. Visiting the Cistern and viewing the museum and art galleries will be an experience not available anywhere in the United States.

One day we will have the cistern converted to a museum. It will also provide space for another workshop. Think of it: a studio for clay work and another for painting! We will double ADSO’s space in historic old city hall. Since the last report to the membership on this project, we’ve had the cistern environment tested and have found it safe. There’s no mold or mildew (mostly because, the testing firm tells us, there’s nothing organic there to support mold), there’s no asbestos, and there’s no radon gas concern.

The next step will be to have the place sealed against water that keeps seeping in there. Engineers have told us what the steps will have to be taken – sealing the roof, and coating the interior walls—but we have yet to contract for that work. The materials we need for the job require a contractor licensed to apply it. ADSO’s board of directors authorized expenditure of most of the funds we had reserved for capital improvements towards this job.

Architect Brian Lambert has been invaluable in helping us find potential contractors, several of whom have been by to inspect the site. Brain is helping us draw up plans for the conversion and renovation of all our facilities.We have new aerial photos of our site that show how much more the cistern project will add to our dedicated space. If you haven’t already, be sure to drop by and ask to see the cistern’s interior.

Jim Thoreen

Come See The Cistern

ADSO welcomes visitors to view the Cistern. Call Marcy Eady, 850-244-1271 to make arrangements. Individuals and small groups welcome.

Would You Like To Be A Sponsor Of This Unique Development?

Call Marcy Eady, 850-897-5279

Would You Like To Donate To The Development Of The Cistern?

ADSO will appreciate all donations for the development of the Cistern, No donation will be too small. All donors will be recognized in a Donor Volume located within the reception area of the Cistern.

C

Would You Like To Be A Sponsor Of This Unique Development?

Call Marcy Eady, 850-897-5279

Would You Like To Donate To The Development Of The Cistern?

ADSO will appreciate all donations for the development of the Cistern, No donation will be too small. All donors will be recognized in a Donor Volume located within the reception area of the Cistern.




C

Would You Like To Be A Sponsor Of This Unique Development? Call Marcy Eady, 850-897-5279

Would You Like To Donate To The Development Of The Cistern? ADSO will appreciate all donations for the development of the Cistern, No donation will be too small. All donors will be recognized in a Donor Volume located within the reception area of the Cistern.