Leave a Legacy to the Vero Beach Art Club
Deb Gooch Scholarship Award Fund
Deb Gooch passed away on Thursday, April 13, 2023, after a long battle with brain cancer. She was an established resident of Vero Beach and well respected amongst the art community. She had moved back to Taos a few years ago in order to be where her inner soul felt most at home and at peace, and now her essence will forever live in a place she loved.
Because Deb was so loved in our community, her family and friends have created this memorial fund to honor her memory. Funding is awarded each year to deserving High School seniors planning to attend art school. Deb would be pleased to think that a young aspiring art student might be able to pursue a lifelong career in art because of scholarship support. We will be awarding a deserving student in 2024.
If you would like to donate click the blue botton below or send in a check to Art Club Gallery & Marketplace, 1903 14th Ave, Vero Beach FL. Attention Deb Gooch Fund. We will announce the award winner in May 2024.
Stay tuned for an exclusive Deb Gooch Art Show coming this Fall!
Interested in forming a scholarship fund on behalf of a loved one?
Art Club Members, Artists and Art Lovers, as you arrange your financial legacy to the next generation, we ask that you consider a gift to the Vero Beach Art Club. For over 80 years, this organization has put forth a mission of art appreciation within our community and educational support to the aspiring artists of the future. With an active membership, committed Officers and Board of Directors dedicated to thoughtful progression, we are confident that this organization is worthy of any bequest that you choose to give. We would welcome a gift of a scholarship or show award in your name or the name of a loved one. We also accept bequests of artwork or real estate upon approval of the Board of Directors. Please help us to perpetuate the fine traditions of the Vero Beach Art Club. Please contact the Board of Directors in writing to obtain a list of regulations for acceptable gift giving and to present your bequest.
Deb Gooch featured in Home, Life & Design, Vero Beach Edition.
AWARDS Past and Present
Under the Oaks Awards
Best in Show
This award is funded each year by a generous donation by the Richard & Lillian Becker Family Foundation Award. The Award is $3000.00.
Anna Marye Barnes Outstanding Artist of Merit $100
The Anna Marye Barnes award was established in March of 1990 in the memory of Anna Mayre Barnes. Is is the wish of the donors that the Award will offer encouragement and help with scholarship opportunities to winning artists in the years to come.
Jean Nagy Memorial $100 Excellence in Acrylic or Oil
Jean Nagy's husband, Stephen, and her children, asked for contributions to the Vero Beach Art Club to begin a memorial award in Jean's honor to be given to an outstanding Oil painter at the Under the Oaks.
Maurice Rushing Outstanding Metal Artist $100 Award
The Maurice Rushing Outstanding Metal Artist award was given to the Outstanding Metal Artist at the show. This is a previous award that is no longer given.
Rita Card - Outstanding Watercolorist $100
Rita Card Art was an Art Teacher for 25 years in Terryville, CT. She was a graduate of both Columbia University and Wesleyan University in Middletown, CT where she received Masters of Arts Degrees, and held a Bachelor of Science Degree from the Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. She was a member of the Art Club of Vero Beach among other organizations. The Award is given out each year at Under the Oaks Fine Arts & Craft Show. This is a previous award that is no longer given.
Art by the Sea Awards
People's Choice Award
The People's Choice Award was given in the amount $50 for the artists chosen by attendees with ballots.
Mary Mazur Memorial Best in Show $200
The Mary Mazur Memorial Award pays tribute to Mary who was very involved with the Vero Beach Art Club and the Center for the Arts. She used her artistic talent and evolved into an accomplished artist, specializing is seascapes and still life. She was also an integral part of the Art Club dealing in advertising and mailing notices for 25 years.
Noel Rothmeyer - 1st Place Oil $100
In November of 2008 we acknowledged Barbara Greenlees very generous donation to the club in her late husband’s (Noel Rothmayer) name. This will be used to fund a special award to be given out at Art by the Sea in his medium of oils and pastels on an yearly basis.
Sharon Way-Howard - wildlife award
ABTS 2023, we awarded the first-ever, Sharon Way-Howard Watercolor award with a focus on wildlife animals, which was her specialty. Bill Howard, Sharon’s husband, has been generous to establish this award which will be used to fund a special award to be given out at Art by the Sea in her medium of watercolors on a yearly basis. Sharon was the Vice-President of the VBAC when she passed in January 2022.