ORANGE PARK — It's been eight months since the Art Guild of Orange Park opened the doors to its gallery on McIntosh Avenue.

And while the days have come and gone, the fire and excitement is still burning as bright as the day its president Phyllis Renninger helped cut the ribbon.

In just those eight months, Renniger said membership for the nonprofit has skyrocketed, jumping to 145 painters, photographers, jewelry makers, potters, assemblage artists, weavers, sculptors and other visual artists. She said it's a testament to the impact the small, but mighty exhibit has had.

"What has happened is all of a sudden there was a place for artists to go," Renninger said. "The expansion of art for artists has been phenomenal."

The Art Guild was founded in 1973 as a support network for Northeast Florida's art community.  A safe place where creators could express their diverse talents together. Eight artists met to form a multi-media art group, drawing up a framework for what was then called the "Fine Arts Guild of Orange Park."

Since then, the nonprofit has grown to be a symbol of the local importance of art and culture. Its members, of all ages, participate in various community service projects around the county, including mural painting and awarding annual scholarships. They also enjoy monthly meetings, artist presentations, enrichment workshops and both juried and non-juried shows.

Additionally, each summer, artists are given a topic to research and create a work of art. This year's was the U.S. Semiquincentennial. Several of the final pieces are currently on display through December at Orange Park Town Hall.

But nothing beats the milestone of being Clay County's only public art gallery and museum currently running. Within the gallery, art from Guild members line the walls and shelves. The building's main floor houses pieces available for purchase, many by artists who have won prestigious awards. The upstairs portion also includes the works of historical figures, as well as information on Guild projects and the annual Courtenay Hunt Scholarship Fund.

Although the Art Guild has been around for 53 years, talks about having an official building to call home began 20 years ago, Renninger said. That all came full circle when they signed a lease with the town for what was originally its's only Black schoolhouse, a part of the TC Miller Community Center.

A grant paid for the restoration of the building's track lighting, ceiling, paint, floor and railing. Now, Renninger said local artists have a place to call home. And for the first time, their work is able to shine for others to see.

Renninger added that exhibitions are interchanged on a regular basis, providing a venue where visitors and art lovers can come back repeatedly.

"We didn't have a venue for that before. Now, we do. Artists are happy," she said.

While the community is invited to check out pieces at the gallery, Renninger said they will also have a change to purchase some one-of-a-kind pieces at the nonprofit's fifth annual fundraising gala on Oct. 24.

The Mad Hatter's Chair-i-ty Gala: An Evening of Art Under the Stars will be held at The Grove, 2525 Country Club Blvd., from 6-10 p.m. In addition to dressy "Alice in Wonderland" attire, a wine pull and opportunities to get an up-close look at fine art and sketch artists, Renninger said this year's centerpiece will be a live auction featuring artistically designed chairs. The auctioneer will be U.S. Rep. Aaron Bean.

Tickets are $50 and include hors d'oeuvres, a sketch artist drawing, photos, live entertainment, dancing, and a parting gift. They can be purchased from an Art Guild member at the Art Guild Gallery, by mailing to 440 McIntosh Ave., Orange Park, FL, 32073; or by visiting artguildFL.com.